{"id":2346408,"date":"2023-01-17T21:17:01","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T20:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.polis180.civilisten.io\/?page_id=2346408"},"modified":"2026-01-15T16:43:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T15:43:52","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"

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About us<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2346263″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”ueber-uns-textblock”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Vision<\/h4>\n

We want to be the most innovative centre of ideas and talent by and for young experts and, as an inclusive platform, give them the opportunity to significantly influence foreign and European policy decisions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Mission<\/h4>\n

As a grassroots think tank, we break with established patterns in foreign and European policy, develop new ideas without bias or constraints and help them to achieve a breakthrough. As a bridge between different social groups, we bring them together in our work and thus counteract the growing divide between them.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”ueber-uns-buttons”][vc_column_inner][polis_button buttontext=”Articles of Association” buttonlink=”7219″][polis_button buttontext=”Rules of Procedure” buttonlink=”http:\/\/polis180.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/220907_GESCHAeFTSORDNUNG-FUeR-PROGRAMME.pdf” buttoncolor=”turquoise” buttontarget=”_blank”][polis_button buttontext=”Annual Report 2023″ buttonlink=”https:\/\/nx38892.your-storageshare.de\/s\/CrSk6sFn3Q6WpAS” buttontarget=”_blank”][polis_button buttontext=”Contact” buttonlink=”2346507″ buttoncolor=”turquoise” buttontarget=”_blank” buttonalign=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Presidium & Board<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Board of Polis180 is elected by the General Assembly for a term of one year. The most recent ordinary General Assembly took place on 12 July 2025. The Board consists of two Presidents, a Treasurer, and up to twelve additional members. It conducts the organization\u2019s affairs in accordance with the Articles of Association and implements the resolutions of the General Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body of Polis180. The Board’s resolutions are adopted by a simple majority.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][polis_button buttontext=”Organizational Chart” buttonlink=”2346507″ buttoncolor=”turquoise” buttontarget=”_blank” buttonalign=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][polis_profile profileimage=”2351353″ profilename=”ETIENNE H\u00d6RA (he\/him)” profileemail=”etienne.hoera`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”President – Legal Affairs, Human Resources & Organisational Development” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Etienne is President of Polis180. He is responsible for the think tank\u2019s legal affairs as well as institutional questions. In this capacity, he keeps an eye on the organisation\u2019s strategic development to help make young voices heard in foreign and European affairs. Etienne is also involved in fundraising.<\/p>\n

Etienne holds a Master\u2019s degree in International Relations with a focus on trade policy, for which he studied in Freiburg, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels, Paris and Geneva. He is interested in the intersection of EU trade policy and EU external action, particularly with regards to China and the ASEAN states, as well as the use of narratives in Chinese foreign policy.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2349996″ profilename=”LENA WITTENFELD (she\/her)” profileemail=”lena.wittenfeld`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”President – Fundraising, Human Resources & Organisational Development” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]<\/p>\n

Since 2020, Lena (she\/her) has been a member of Polis180 and has co-led the program \u2018Gender and International Politics\u2019 together with Lara and Linda from 2023 to 2025. Lena is also the president of Polis180. In this role, Lena supports fundraising and is responsible for human resources, knowledge management, organisational development and the more general strategic development of the association.<\/p>\n

In March 2023, Lena graduated with a Master\u2019s degree in \u201eDemocratic Governance and Civil Society\u201c at the University of Osnabr\u00fcck. Currently, she works as research associate at the University of Bielefeld and prepares her doctoral thesis on Feminist Foreign Policy. In her research, Lena focuses on topics in the intersection of Political Theory, International Relations and Gender Studies and is especially interested in feminist International Relations, (feminist) foreign policy and related topics, in feminist and queer theories, as well as in postcolonial feminisms.<\/p>\n

[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2348775″ profilename=”JONA GRIMM (he\/him)” profileemail=”jona.grimm`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Treasurer – Finance, OpenTTN & International Relations” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]As treasurer, Jona is a member of the executive board and additionally responsible for the OpenTTN and international relations. He is particularly interested in technology, economics and security policy. After working as Programme Coordinator at the German Foreign Ministry and a diploma thesis on Quantum Machine Learning, he now works as a Geopolitical and Technological Analyst at a relevant European institution.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351775″ profilename=”HANNES WESTPHAL (he\/him)” profileemail=”hannes.westphal`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Finance” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Hannes has been a member of Polis180 since 2022 and held the position of the association’s auditor in 2023\/24 and 2024\/25. Since December 2025, he has been a member of the extended board, where he is part of the finance team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hannes is currently studying social sciences at Humboldt University in Berlin and recently completed a semester abroad at the University of Oslo, Norway. Alongside his studies, he gained several years of practical experience in the German Bundestag, the Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus (Berlin State Assembly), and a municipal administration.<\/span>[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350009″ profilename=”MARA DANKBAR (she\/her)” profileemail=”mara.dankbar`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Program Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Mara has been a member of Polis180 since October 2022. In July 2024, she was elected to the extended board, where she is jointly responsible for the Community and Programme Coordination department.<\/p>\n

Mara studied European Studies (University of Osnabr\u00fcck) and Educational Science and Psychology (University of Bielefeld) for her Bachelor’s degrees. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s programme at the University of Osnabr\u00fcck, where she is studying \u2018Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding\u2019 and \u2018European Governance\u2019. She works for a regional EU information centre.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350029″ profilename=”JILL SOPHIE HAERING (she\/her)” profileemail=”jill.haering`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Program Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=””]Jill has been a member of Polis180 since February 2023 and a board member since July 2023. As a member of the extended executive board, she currently supports the area of Community and Programs.<\/p>\n

She earned her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology at Heidelberg University. Besides, Jill studied abroad at the Queen\u2019s University in Kingston, Canada during her Bachelor studies. In October 2023, she began her Master’s degree in International Relations in Berlin and Potsdam. She is spending two semesters abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, from March to December 2025.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351300″ profilename=”JULIUS-ANTON BUSSENIUS (he\/him)” profileemail=”julius.bussenius`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Program Coordination, IT” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Julius joined Polis 180 in July 2023 and has been part of the executive board since July 2024. Julius mainly supports the Community and IT ressort. His main goal is to keep and extend a vital and dynamic feeling of togetherness in the Polis-Community and beyond.<\/p>\n

Julius holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and is studying Political Science in his masters at the FU in Berlin.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351301″ profilename=”RAFAEL B\u00dcRKLE (he\/him)” profileemail=”rafael.buerkle`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”IT, Publications & Podcasts” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Rafael has been involved with Polis180 since 2018 and has served as Program Director for the Digitalization & Cybersecurity program since November 2022. In July 2025, he was elected to the board, where he is responsible for IT as well as Publications & Podcasts. His work focuses on foreign and security policy, freedom of information and transparency, as well as digital sovereignty and digital policy. Rafael aims to make foreign and European policy, often perceived as distant, more accessible to young people and to open up fresh perspectives, while placing particular emphasis on flat hierarchies and inclusive collaboration.<\/p>\n

He holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master\u2019s in European Studies at the European University Viadrina located on the German-Polish border, where his academic interests include international relations, democratic resilience, social transformation, and comparative politics.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351303″ profilename=”CARA THIELEN (she\/her)” profileemail=”cara.thielen`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Social Media & Public Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Cara has been a Polis member since 2021 and co-led the program Peace & Conflict for two years. Since July 2025 she has been a member of the board and is responsible for social media and public affairs.<\/p>\n

She studied Sociology and Politics and currently pursues her Master\u2019s Degree International Relations in Berlin. Cara is interested in foreign and security policy as well as critical security studies. She works the Cluster of Excellence \u201cContestations of the Liberal Script\u201d (SCRIPTS) at Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350002″ profilename=”MARVIN NAEDER (he\/him)” profileemail=”marvin.naeder`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Social Media & Public Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Marvin joined the Polis180 board in July 2024 and represents the areas of social media and public affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics, economics, society, and German studies (double major) from Ruhr University Bochum and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in political science at the University of Bonn.<\/p>\n

Professionally, he works as an assistant to the management and project manager at the Society for Security Policy. Previously, he worked at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), where he dealt with security policy issues. He also gained practical experience through positions at the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government and the Federal Criminal Police Office.<\/p>\n

He is particularly interested in political communication and dealing with disinformation.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351863″ profilename=”MERRITT FEDZIN (she\/her)” profileemail=”merritt.fedzin`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Publications & Podcasts, Fundraising” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Merritt has been a member of Polis180 since 2021 and a member of the board since July 2024, where she is responsible for the departments Publications & Podcasts and Fundraising. Her areas of expertise are security, peace and conflict research, with a particular focus on the regions of Eastern Europe, Central and Western Asia.<\/p>\n

Merritt works as a research associate at the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS) in Regensburg, where she is preparing her doctoral thesis on the role of non-state armed actors in conflicts and peace processes. She holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in European Studies from OVGU Magdeburg and a Master\u2019s degree in International Affairs from the Hertie School in Berlin. Merritt collected international experience in Amman, Istanbul and Brussels.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351305″ profilename=”JOHANNA LUTZ (she\/her)” profileemail=”johanna.lutz`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Program Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Johanna has been a Polis member since February 2025 and is involved in the Perspective East and (Un)making Democracy programs. She has been on the board since July 2025 and is responsible for the community, events and program management.<\/p>\n

She studies Peacebuilding & Conflict Studies at the University of Osnabr\u00fcck, with a regional focus on the South Caucasus and Central Asia.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351774″ profilename=”VIVIAN HAGEDORN (she\/her)” profileemail=”vivian.hagedorn`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Social Media & Fundraising” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Vivian has been a Polis member since 2025 and is active in the \u201cGender and International Politics\u201d programme. Since December 2025 she is a member of the board and is responsible for social media and fundraising.<\/span><\/p>\n

She studied the Masters Programme in Sociology and Political Science in D\u00fcsseldorf and focuses on feminist foreign policy and disarmament. She is designing and conducting workshops about politics and democracy for the State Agency for Political Education Berlin, polyspektiv and the CIVIC institute for international education.<\/span>[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350319″ profilename=”LARA FRANKEN (she\/her)” profileemail=”lara.franken`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Organisational Development, Community & Program Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Lara has been a member of Polis180 since 2021 and co-led the “Gender and International Politics” programme from January 2023 to January 2025. Since early 2025, she is part of the board, supporting organisational development as well as community and programme management.<\/p>\n

With a Bachelor’s in African Studies and a Master’s in International Relations, Lara has focused on feminist foreign policy, peace and conflict studies, and postcolonial studies, always striving to take an intersectional feminist approach that connects different (multiple) forms of discrimination.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2346827″ profilename=”DEIN NAME (pronouns)” profileemail=”dein.name`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Dein Ressort” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Each year, the General Assembly elects a new board. You can bring in your own ideas and proposals, discuss important issues and help realise concrete visions for the association’s future. If you’re interested or have any questions, please reach out to any member of our board or info@polis180.org.<\/a>[\/polis_profile][vc_separator color=”black”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Office<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][polis_profile profileimage=”2348655″ profilename=”STEPHANIE EFREMOVA-BUSCH (she\/her)” profileemail=”stephanie.efremova-busch@polis180.org” profileposition=”Head Office Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=””]Stephanie supports the board in the association\u2019s management.<\/p>\n

She is the first poin<\/span>t of c<\/span>ontact for membe<\/span>rs and non-members.<\/span><\/p>\n

She started her journey with Polis180 in the migration programme.<\/p>\n

Stephanie studied law at Martin Luther University in Halle, with a focus on migration law.
\nShe also supports a young politician in the Berlin city parliament in her constituency.
\nIn her free time, she enjoys photography, concerts and nature.[\/polis_profile][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row margin_top=”60px”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Our story<\/h2>\n

Polis180 was founded in June 2015 by a group of young people with diverse backgrounds and political views. Currently, Polis180 has over 600 members.<\/p>\n

Our age group will have to live with the consequences of current political decisions for the longest time. Therefore, we discuss and reenvision foreign and European affairs and
\npresent our proposals to decision-makers.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2346442″ img_size=”580×0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2346718″ img_size=”large” el_id=”\u00dcber Uns”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cBei Polis versteht man<\/em> sich als Sprachrohr der<\/em> j\u00fcngeren Generation \u2013<\/em> politisch, aber gleichzeitig<\/em> \u00fcberparteilich.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>S\u00fcddeutsche Zeitung<\/h4>\n

Polis180 is based on our members’ engagement.
\nThe Board is responsible for strategic decisions and conducts the association’s day-to-day affairs.
\nFor larger projects, we employ project staff.
\nOur activities are made possible by public and private funds, our members’ contributions and donations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] About us [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2346263″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”ueber-uns-textblock”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text] Vision We want to be the most innovative centre of ideas and talent by and for young experts and, as an inclusive platform, give them the opportunity to significantly influence foreign and European policy decisions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text] Mission As a grassroots think tank, we break with established patterns … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":256,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2346408","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/256"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2346408"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2351864,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408\/revisions\/2351864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2346408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}