Episodes | Business Diplomacy Today

Asia’s New Trade Order: Strategic Implications for European Business

07/08/202628/05/2026

In this episode, host Dr Matthias Catón welcomes Dr Deborah Elms to unravel the shifting ground of global trade and business diplomacy against a backdrop of accelerating geopolitical and economic disruption. Amidst a world in flux, the conversation focuses on how businesses, governments, and international organisations are grappling with uncertainty and seeking sustainable models amidst fragmentation.

Africa’s Economic Rise: Opportunities and Lessons for German Business

11/05/202623/04/2026

In this episode, host Dr Matthias Catón is joined by Dr Tevin Tafese, development economist and research fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), to assess the dynamic economic landscape of Africa and its meaning for international business. Together they unpack the continent’s diversity, growth prospects, and innovation potential, as well as the misconceptions and opportunities that shape external engagement.

Climate Change and Maritime Security

31/03/202626/03/2026

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, examines the profound interplay between climate change and maritime security within a shifting geopolitical landscape. The conversation uncovers how environmental pressures are increasingly influencing global trade, security policies, and industrial competitiveness, drawing on Dr. Kira Vinke’s extensive fieldwork and policy expertise.

Subsea Cables as Critical Infrastructure

17/04/202602/03/2026

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, explores the essential role of subsea cables as critical infrastructure underpinning global communications and business operations. Host Matthias Catón is joined by guests Camino Kavanagh and Jonas Franken, both experts in cyber security, international security, and maritime systems.

International Negotiations

08/09/2025

In this episode of “Business Diplomacy Today, Daniel Jones, Professor of Management at the University of Nevada, Reno joins host Matthias Catón, to explore the complexities of negotiation in international and cross-cultural business contexts.

Online Voting

08/08/2024

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón discusses the topic of online voting with Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies, a senior consultant at the Institute for Technology and Innovation at VDI/VDE-IT. The conversation begins with a definition of online voting, differentiating it from traditional and electronic voting. The discussion delves into the reluctance of many countries to adopt online voting because of the risks of cyberattacks and manipulation, highlighting the vulnerability and potential loss of trust in the election process.

The Global Risks Report 2024

23/07/202423/07/2024

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, guest Martin Drux from Marsh McLennan delves into lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of businesses preparing for future events like the permafrost virus. Host Matthias Catón discusses technology’s role in risk assessment, citing Google’s use of search data to track flu outbreaks. Drux highlights how AI and technology can enhance risk prediction and data quality, especially in the insurance sector.

Business Disruption and Change in 2024

23/07/202416/06/2024

In this episode, host Matthias Catón join Christina Rabe, the Market Unit Lead for Accenture in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. They delve into the Pulse of Change Index developed by Accenture.

Asia After Europe

09/09/202509/05/2024

In Episode 29 Matthias Catón is joined by Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University. Following Sugata’s recent publication “Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century”, Matthias and him discuss the how Asia’s history has been defined by Europe and what the current century brings.

Achieving Financial Equality

02/04/2024

In Episode 28 of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón is joined by Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking. Matthias and Mary Ellen examine the persistent gender gap in financial inclusion and its linkages to digital inclusion.

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