The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Berlin Office, is pleased to invite to the next edition of:

PISM BERLIN Fireside Chats

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23 September 2026 (Wednesday)
18:00-20:30
The Polish Institute of International Affairs, Berlin Office
Marienstraße 26, 10117 Berlin
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PISM Berlin Fireside Chats is a format of the PISM Berlin Office dedicated to conversations with renowned experts, politicians, and journalists in the field of international affairs. The aim of the initiative is to create a space for in-depth, yet deliberately informal discussions on key challenges of international politics.

Our guest will be Rolf Nikel, a former diplomat with over 40 years of experience at the German Foreign Office, who served as Ambassador to Poland from 2014 to 2020, currently Vice President of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).

The discussion will focus on the role of diplomacy in times of geopolitical transformation, growing security challenges and a changing international order. Drawing on Rolf Nikel’s book “Der schmale Grat: Die Kunst der Diplomatie in Zeiten des Umbruchs”, the conversation will address the challenges and opportunities of diplomacy. Particular attention will be given to the insights gained during his time as German Ambassador to Poland, Germany’s evolving approach towards Russia and the importance of Polish-German relations in responding to the shifting global security environment.

Welcome:

• Małgorzata Gemen, Executive Director, PISM Berlin Office   

Guest:

• Rolf Nikel, former Ambassador to Poland (2014-2020)

Moderator:

• Magdalena Gwóźdź-Pallokat, Deutsche Welle           

This event is by invitation only and will be held in German.