This year’s research project TSRG 2021 as a collaborative initiative between Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin and the Boym Institute continued with a Transcultural Winter School in Zeppelin University, in Friedrichshafen. It took place between 8th and 12th November. The trip included a series of valuable workshops that were useful not only for the current project but also for the student’s future academic work. Of course, we should also mention the Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021that took place at that time. It represents an information platform to deepen participants’ cultural knowledge and to foster mutual understanding. This year’s region, Southeast Asia, represents both opportunities and challenges, and it is gaining increasing importance. The two-day event through keynotes from experts from SEA and workshops brought more attention to the importance of this region.
During the first day, Polish participants were warmly welcomed by the organizers of the transcultural caravan and representatives of LEIZ. They were welcomed and introduced to the Zeppelin University initiative, by Jessica Geraldo Schwengber, Prof Julika Baumann Montecinos and Dr Lennart Brand. Participants also had the chance to attend a workshop led by Dr Christopher Köhler of LEIZ, entitled “Writing a Quantitative/Empirical Paper — (Many) Ways that Lead to Rome”. The first meeting ended with a nice conversation over coffee and cake before continuing with a tour of the beautiful SMH Campus of Zeppelin University. At the end of the day, thanks to the perfect weather, the students were able to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Constance and the Alps.
The next day began early in the morning with a Keynote “ASEAN Cross-Region Cooperation: Mapping the Way Towards Identity Building” given by Prof Dafri Adussalim from ASEAN Studies Centre in Indonesia. The lecture was followed by a workshop about exploring Leadership Concepts, which was organized by Tobias Grünfelder. Another item on the agenda was an insightful workshop “Academic Writing — Book Chapter” given by Dr Dominik Fisher and Jessica Geraldo Schwengber. In the afternoon, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Zeppelin Museum, thus getting to know part of the culture and history of Friedrichshafen. The day ended with an informal gathering for dinner and conversation.
Day three was the last day on the Lake Campus. It started with a Keynote on BRI by Prof. Matthias Niedenführ. Following this great lecture, the part introducing the Transcultural Caravan Network began. It was hosted and introduced by Prof Julika Baumann Montecinos. The welcome speech was presented by Prof Josef Wieland. This was followed by an important virtual toast, a presentation of the TSRG 2021 participants and their contributions to the project. Then book launch of the TSRG 2020 was presented by their authors. The event ended with conversations over coffee and cake while talking with professors and exchanging ideas.
During the last two days, the Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021 took place. On November 11 the event officially started with a welcome by moderator Katharina Körth, an opening speech by Tobias Grünfelder and a Welcome address by Andreas Schell, the CEO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. A series of keynotes on Southeast Asia followed, referring to this year’s topic of TLS: “Southeast Asia — Diversity & Digital Disruptions” by Prof Dr Christian von Lübke, “Navigating Culture and Leadership Development in Southeast Asia” given by Adirupa Sengupta, and closing this part of event Prof Josef Wieland, presenting the topic of Mitigating Risk from Cultural Complexity. Then the next part of the panel discussions took place in the following order: “Transculturality in action — How do transcultural leaders operate in Southeast Asia?” with moderator Dr Lennart Brand and speakers: Giovanni Spadaro, Nguyễn Thanh Sơn, Verena Siow; “How to prepare young leaders for cultural complexity?” moderated by Prof Dr Julika Baumann Montecinos and Annika Phuong Dinh, with panel speakers Dr Elizabeth T. Urgel, Dr Nguyen Nam, Dr Wawan Masudi. The event ended with a beautiful Indonesian Dance Performance by Freunde Indonesiens e.V. Polish students also had the opportunity to participate in the Karl Schlecht Forum about “Good Leadership”.
The last day of Transcultural Winter School was also the final day of Transcultural Leadership Summit 2021. Participants of the trip were welcomed by Indonesian Music by Freunde Indonesiens e.V., followed by two great keynotes: “Fixing the Leadership Gap in Southeast Asia” given by Vibhas Ratanjee, and “Global Literacies — Leadership Development for Global Executives” presented by Samuel M. Lam. The continuation of the day was divided into two workshop sessions, where participants could choose activities on various aspects of Southeast Asia and leadership. The trip ended with an informal meeting over diner with students and professors of LEIZ, during which participants of TSRG had the opportunity to exchange views, talk and sum up amazing memories that were gathered during TWS 2021.
czytaj więcej
Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam
Thanks to continuous economic development, Vietnam attracts a record number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The catalyst for such a strong growth of FDI in Vietnam is not only the ongoing trade war between the US and China, but also new international agreements.
Jakub KrólczykBook review of "GDR International Development Policy Involvement. Doctrine and Strategies between Illusions and Reality 1960-1990, The example (South) Africa", written by Ulrich van der Heyden and published by Lit Verlag in 2013.
Nicolas LeviThis is the second part of an inquiry into Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC). In this part of paper, I look into some of the plans and/or solutions proposed in Ulaanbaatar’s 2040 GDPC.
Paweł SzczapBook review: “North Korean Defectors in a New and Competitive Society”
Book review of "North Korean Defectors in a New and Competitive Society", written by Lee Ahlam - assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Human Resource Development at Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nicolas LeviDrug and Road Initiative, that is the Silk Road of drug
This paper deals with the issue of drug business in post-Soviet Central Asia, a region that plays a key role in the trafficking of banned substances from Asia (mainly Afghanistan) to Europe. The study briefly presents the areas that make up the picture of drug business in Central Asia, paying attention to production and distribution.
Jerzy OlędzkiSan Zhong Zhanfa or Three Warfares. Chinese Hybrid Warfare
Cognitive operations are becoming an increasingly significant and common element of non-kinetic military operations. States and other political players deliberately manipulate the way their actions, those of their allies and those of their adversaries are perceived by the governments and societies of other international players.
Paweł BehrendtLiquidation of the Polish colony in Manchuria (north-eastern China)
Ms. Łucja Drabczak - A Polish woman born in Harbin, she spent her childhood in China. She returned to Poland at the age of 10. She is the author of the book 'China... Memories from my childhood'. She contacted us to convey special family memories related to leaving Manchuria in 1949.
Polish-Macanese Artist Duo Presents New Works in Lisbon
Artist couple Marta Stanisława Sala (Poland) and Cheong Kin Man (Macau) will present their latest works in the exhibition “The Wondersome and Peculiar Voyages of Cheong Kin Man, Marta Stanisława Sala and Deborah Uhde”, on view at the Macau Museum of the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre (CCCM) in Lisbon, from 5 June to 6 July 2025.
Dr. Nicolas Levi with a lecture in Seoul
On May 24 Dr. Nicolas Levi gave a lecture on Balcerowicz's plan in the context of North Korea. The speech took place as part of the seminar "Analyzing the Possibility of Reform and its Impact on Human Rights in North Korea". The seminar took place on May 24 at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
WICCI’s India-EU Business Council – a new platform for women in business
Interview with Ada Dyndo, President of WICCI's India-EU Business Council and Principal Consultant of European Business and Technology Centre
Ada DyndoThe strategic imperatives driving ASEAN-EU free trade talks: colliding values as an obstacle
Recently revived talks aimed at the conclusion of an inter-regional free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) are driven by strategic imperatives of both regions.
Robin RamcharanInterview with Arthur Tun on Myanmar’s Coup d’État
On the 1st of February 2021, Myanmar’s military forces overthrew the government and arrested the Prime Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi. On the fifth anniversary of these events, the Boym Institute decided to ask what Myanmar looks like after the coup.
Paweł MazurekWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Krzysztof Zalewski - the Boym Institute Analyst, Chairman of the Board and Editor of the “Tydzień w Azji” weekly.
Krzysztof ZalewskiPatrycja Pendrakowska made it to the Top 40 under 40 Europe-India leaders list
#EuropeIndia40, an initiative of EICBI, covers the stories of leaders below the age of 40 and their contributions to promoting EU India / UK India relations.
We would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaBook review: “Korean Diaspora in Postwar Japan – Geopolitics, Identity and Nation-Building”
Book review of "Korean Diaspora in Postwar Japan - Geopolitics, Identity and Nation-Building", written by Kim Myung-ja and published by I.B Tauris in 2017.
Nicolas LeviBook review: “Unveiling the North Korean economy”
Book review of "Unveiling the North Korean economy", written by Kim Byung-yeon and published by Cambridge University Press in 2016.B. Tauris in 2017.
Nicolas LeviRoman Catholic cemetery in Harbin (1903-1958)
First burials of Catholics, mostly Poles but also other Non-Orthodox believers took place in future Harbin in the so called small „old” or later Pokrovskoe Orthodox cemetery in the future European New Town quarter and small graveyards at the military and civilian hospitals of Chinese Eastern Railway at the turn of XIX and XX century.
Jerzy CzajewskiTaiwanese Perceptions of Russia’s Ukraine war
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwanese government remained committed to its position of condemnation for Russia, humanitarian support for Ukraine, and deep appreciation and admiration for the Ukrainian people’s will to defy power, resist aggression, and defend their nation.
Kuan Ting ChenIndia, China and the Shades of Grey
"We are at an inflection point in this century. Many of our traditional arrangements are failing. To achieve stability in this century we need to discover new solutions" - Interview with Samir Saran - Senior Fellow and Vice President at the Observer Research Foundation
Krzysztof ZalewskiSaudi ‘Vision 2030’. How the Kingdom is using oil to end its economic overdependence on oil.
With the advent of clean energy technologies the Saudis realize they need to end their economic dependency on oil. ‘Vision 2030’ is a vast and complex plan that seeks to preserve Saudi Arabia’s regional power, economic prosperity, and - not the least - authoritarian rule in the post-oil future.
Jan KosińskiPaweł Behrendt for 9DASHLINE: The South China Sea – from colonialism to the Cold War
We would like to inform, that 9DASHLINE has published article of Paweł Behrendt - the Boym Institute Analyst, in which he wrote about history of the South China Sea dispute over the 20th century.
Paweł BehrendtPolish women do not often become the heroines of media reports in Central Asia. In February 2020, however, it was different. The story of Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, a journalist, "heated up" the headlines of local news portals. More importantly, "between the lines" she talked a lot about contemporary Uzbekistan and the role of women in politics.
Magdalena Sobańska-CwalinaShort summary of events at the Boym Institute
We want the Boym Institute to become a valuable platform of exchanging views, making valuable acquaintances and, above all, deepening knowledge. Therefore, we undertake the organization of many events: debates, lectures, and conferences.























