Anniversaries are a recurring companion – also in the history of Die Junge Akademie. A glittering anniversary magazine was published in 2010 to mark the 10th anniversary, offering insights into Die Junge Akademie from A to Z (in German only). The 20th anniversary was to be celebrated with two series of events and a competition over a period of several months in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted some things and shifted most of the planned events to the digital space.

This year, members and alumni – who now number around 250 – are celebrating with a short programme that allows them to look back and look ahead in the run-up to the annual festival.

Founded in 2000 out of the conviction that young scientists in Germany usually have few opportunities to develop freely and help shape the scientific system, Die Junge Akademie has pursued two main tasks since its foundation:

• the encouragement of academic, especially interdisciplinary, discourse among outstanding young academics and artists and
• the promotion of initiatives at the interfaces between science, art, science management, science policy and society.

Die Junge Akademie was launched on 30 June 2000, initially for 10 years. Its work began with the founders’ criticism of the deficiencies of the German academic system, which offers young academics little opportunity to develop freely or help shape the academic system. Paul Baltes, then Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin as well as a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) and the German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina, turned to the then BBAW President Dieter Simon with a first draft regarding the establishment of a "Nachwuchsakademie" in 1996.

Since its foundation, Die Junge Akademie has been closely linked to its two supporting academies, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

“Founded in 2000 as an experiment, Die Junge Akademie has now successfully established itself as an international concept. Junior researchers enrich current debates with innovative and sometimes unconventional perspectives. They need the space and trust to develop these ideas. And that is precisely what Die Junge Akademie offers.”

Professor Dr. Bettina Rockenbach, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina

“Young researchers need curiosity and openness from their more senior colleagues and need understanding for the irreverent, independent approach that is the only way to truly forge new paths. For 25 years Die Junge Akademie has been offering such an environment – bold and irreverent and independently exploring new paths – thus hugely enriching the scientific landscape.”

Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Christoph Markschies, President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Programme, 7 June 2025

3 pm: Start of the event
Followed by a musical intermezzo, with alumna in charge Miriam Akkermann

3:15 pm: Panel 1 "What motivates Die Junge Akademie?"
Former and current members share their perspectives on the question of what Die Junge Akademie achieves, what moves it and perhaps also in which direction it is moving.
Guests: Cornelis Menke (alumnus of Die Junge Akademie), Jule Specht (alumna of Die Junge Akademie), Robert Kretschmer (alumnus of Die Junge Akademie) and Kerstin Pahl (member of the current Board)
Moderation: Gisela Kopp (member of Die Junge Akademie) and Julia Gurol-Haller (speaker of Die Junge Akademie)
followed by a musical intermezzo

4 pm: Panel 2 "Communicating science – learning from the pandemic, utopias for
tomorrow"
How can science communication succeed in turbulent times? It's not just the guests' perspectives that are in demand here. The audience can also give their colourful opinions.
Guests: Viola Priesemann (member of the current Board), Jutta Allmendinger (Council member), Korinna Hennig (editor and presenter NDR)
Moderation: Johanna Gereke (member of Die Junge Akademie) and Nausikaä El-Mecky (alumna of Die Junge Akademie)

5 pm: End of event

Moderation of the overall event: Hanna Pfeifer (Member of the new Board)