What will the future of the transatlantic partnership look like – and who will shape it?
Against this backdrop, Aspen Institute Germany is delighted to introduce the first cohort of RESET – Reimagining the Transatlantic Future: Strategic Exchange for Political Youth from the Heartlands to the Hinterlands.
RESET, initiated by the Aspen Institute Germany, provides a structured, cross-party, and values-based platform for dialogue between young political leaders from Germany and the United States. Between 2026 and 2028, three cohorts will bring together a total of 60 participants aged 20–30, representing the youth organizations of political parties in both countries. Cohorts are intentionally diverse, spanning regions outside major political centers, and fostering dialogue across party lines.
At the heart of RESET is a structured foresight process. In moderated workshops, participants explore future challenges and opportunities for the transatlantic partnership. Each year focuses on a central theme, with the 2026 cohort addressing security. Through a combination of in-person exchanges in Germany and the United States and virtual workshops, RESET equips young leaders with strategic, long-term perspectives and strengthens transatlantic networks of trust, understanding, and collaboration.
The following participants were selected through an open application process to join this first cohort of this innovative transatlantic political youth exchange:
Amir Andusa (Young Union, Christian Democratic Union), Angelina Manoj (College Democrats of America), Anna Kenn (Young Union), Clayton Smith (Young Republicans), Dimitra Papadopoulou (European Liberal Youth), Dusty Johnson (Colorado Republicans, Colorado Young Republicans, Colorado General Assembly House Republicans), Felix Leon Braun (Youth Organization of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Jusos)), Finn Flebbe (Young Liberals), Jaheem McLaurin (Democratic Party), Jan Felix Heilemann (Alliance 90/The Greens, Campus Grün), Jocelyn Nolasco (Young Democrats of Maryland), Joshua Holstein (Republican Party (RNC), West Virginia Republican Party, West Virginia Legislature), Laurin Schulze (Christian Democratic Union, Young Union Bonn, Young Union Mittelrhein), Lina Shelley Marie Skirde (Youth Organization of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Jusos)), Luke Ferrante (New Jersey’s Republican Party), Marie Müser (Alliance 90/The Greens), May Hanlon (Vermont Democratic Party), Muhammed Furkan Efe (Youth Organization of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Jusos), Social Democratic Party of Germany), Reed Krewson (Kansas Young Democrats), Zoe Dockery (Young Republicans)
Contact
Katja Greeson
- Deputy Director & Transatlantic Program Director
- Phone: +49 (0) 30 804 890 18
- greeson@aspeninstitute.de
