WORLD BUSINESS DIALOGUE

Connecting the Leaders of Today with the Leaders of Tomorrow since 1984

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World Business Dialogues

who Are We?

Let's talk Business...

We are a student-run non-profit company based in Cologne. Here, students can become entrepreneurial early in their academic careers and work on projects and events. With our connections to the business and start-up scene, as well as to students worldwide, we create a platform for exchange.

An exchange between entrepreneurs and students, between generations and between countries. At our events, we enable peer-to-peer conversations in an informal atmosphere. Since 1984, many stories, ideas and careers have been created in this way more…

Join our Formats

Across all our formats, we create spaces where students, companies, and decision-makers meet on equal footing. Our goal is to foster dialogue, share perspectives, and build sustainable connections that shape the future of business and society. Each format is designed to combine academic insights with real-world expertise, enabling exchange that goes beyond generations and industries.

The Conference

Once a year we host the World Business Dialogue, an international business conference for students and young professionals at the University of Cologne. We want to create a Dialogue between young leaders of tomorrow and experienced company leaders

Creation Labs

Get creative in our Creation Lab! Over the course of 2-3 days, teams of students work together on a business project and present their final solutions to the sponsor company. This is your chance to impress the company, apply and strengthen your analytical thinking skills, your team spirit and your out-of-the-box thinking.

Dialogue Nights

Become part of the Dialogue! At the Dialogue Night, we suspend the usual hierarchies. Here, for one evening, students and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to get to know each other and network at eye level. Maybe you'll take the next step on your career ladder here?

Company Workshops

Join our 3-hour workshops to tackle real business challenges with companies. Work on case studies, exchange ideas, and develop solutions – while gaining valuable career opportunities. These sessions bring you closer to professionals and help you expand your network.

Why Us?

The power of diverse perspectives on current challenges and creative thinking is more needed than ever. We enable a dialogue at peer-to-peer level among bright students and accomplished leaders. As a student-run company, we can create a unique open and less formal atmosphere in our events which nevertheless is highly productive.

Talk to experienced leaders

Our formats are sponsored by a variety of top companies covering multiple industries. Each of these formats are led by high- ranked representatives. Enjoy the opportunity to connect with them not only on a professional but also a personal level.

Improve your skills and impress companies

This is your chance to impress top companies with your work attitude and skills. Stand out from fellow bright students from all over the world and make a lasting impression. All while improving your skills and broadening your knowledge in the event.

Meet likeminded international students

We select excellent students from all parts of the world to attend our events. Enjoy this unique spirit, connect with them and get to know different perspectives and tricks of the trade from like minded aspiring students. Whether it be regarding entrepreneurship, academics or international initiatives.

I just reached home and I wanted to thank you for the best week of my life. The conference, the people and the city of Cologne were absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to meet you all again.

It was an honour and a great pleasure getting to know you all during the WBD23 week. I cherish these fond memories and so look forward to seeing you all again in Cologne and anywhere in the world. Thank you very much everyone in the organising team for your excellent work, be proud of yourselves!

This has changed my professional life as there was the Chief HR Officer of LVMH and she proposed me to make an internship at LVMH after the conference... then a job... My professional career wouldn't have been the same without the conference you organized.

Gain new perspectives

Connect your experience with unbiased out of the box thinking to gain new perspectives on today’s problems. To solve them we need both. Enjoy the opportunity to connect with bright students not only on a professional but also a personal level.

Brand your company

Establish your company as an employer for the next generation. Attend our interactive and discussive events to authentically represent your company, its values, and benefits to young talents.

Recruit new talents

Assess new talents during your sponsored event in a less formal environment. Get to know the work attitude and skills of your prospects in a surrounding that allows them to open up more freely than in an office or headquarter.

We held the CREATION LAB with three case study groups on Millenials marketing as part of the World Business Dialogue 2017. [...] At the same time, the CREATION LAB is a very good opportunity for employer branding and recruiting top international students. The support and selection of applicants by the OFW team was excellent. We will continue to actively use CREATION LAB in the future.

"During the event [...] in partnership with OFW, in which we worked with a great mix of committed, highly skilled and culturally diverse undergraduate/masters students, on the topic of ‘How do you see yourself working in the 21st Century’, OFW seamlessly facilitated the event perfectly, meaning that everyone involved was able to concentrate on the event itself. Due to the great success of the event itself [...] we look forward to a continued cooperation with OFW in the future."

Learn All About the Ofw team

Meet The Team

Jasper Wiethe

Managing Director

Emma Sommer