The North South Futures Forum (NSFF) is a global network of political leaders, thinkers, and policy strategists working to shape a progressive vision for international cooperation in a rapidly changing world. As a new global network of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, it brings together more than 30 senior political leaders, policymakers, researchers, and strategists from over 20 countries to exchange ideas and develop forward-looking approaches to global cooperation.Convened under the auspices of Lars Klingbeil, President of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the NSFF serves as a trusted space for dialogue between actors from the Global North and Global South.
Unlike traditional diplomatic formats, the NSFF emphasizes co-leadership, strategic trust-building, and long-term collaboration across regions.
Over the course of one week, participants engaged in strategic dialogues on:
While New York helped map the challenges facing progressive multilateralism, Brazil will focus on pathways forward. Participants will deepen discussions on middle powers, BRICS, democratic resilience, climate transition, AI and digital governance, and the narratives needed to build new coalitions across the Global North and South.
The NSFF network will reconvene in 2027 to continue its dialogue on the future of international cooperation and progressive multilateralism. Building on the discussions in New York and Brazil, participants will further advance the network’s work on global governance and explore progressive responses to shared global challenges.
Key Outcomes of the New York meeting:
The NSFF brings together more than 30 participants from across all regions, and professional backgrounds – including parliamentarians, political advisors, former ministers, diplomats, academics, movement leaders, and policy experts.
John Doe
Bio eintragen, short
Livia Marie Johnson
Livia Marie Johnson is the Program and Communications Officer at FES New York. She holds two law degrees, specialized in international law and global governance, and previously worked at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Merle Rutz
Merle Rutz is a Policy Analyst at FES NY focusing on the future of multilateralism and UN affairs, also contributing to FES’ North South Futures Forum. Previously, she worked with CIVICUS and Oxfam. She holds degrees in European Studies and Political Science.
Jennifer Landt
Jennifer Landt is the Head of Finance & Administration at the FES New York Office. She obtained a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rostock in Germany. She is responsible for all operational and financial matters and is the leading hand in the organization of programs.
Matthias Jobelius
Matthias Jobelius is the Director of the FES New York Office. Previously, he coordinated the foundation’s work in Europe and North America from Berlin, and served as the FES representative in Romania and Georgia. He studied Political Science and Development Studies in Berlin and London.
Evelyn Astor
Joseph Bahout
