In this special episode of Der Große Neustart, Sibylle Barden speaks with Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and architect of the World Economic Forum, about a new chapter in his life’s work.

After more than 55 years of building and shaping global institutions, Klaus Schwab has entered a new phase of service.

This conversation is not about Davos.

It's about being a compass for the Intelligent Age — in a world of growing complexity.

It explores what leadership requires today.

With the** launch of his Intelligent Age series and the Schwab Academy**, Klaus Schwab is doing what has defined his life’s work:

Schwab Academy

“We’re not in an energy transition.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Andy Brown OBE, ⁠President of the Energy Institute ⁠and ⁠Vice Chairman of Ørsted⁠, breaks down the real state of the global energy system with rare clarity.

Drawing on the Statistical Review of World Energy, Andy reveals what the data actually shows:

We explore:

1. The global energy picture

2. Ørsted — leadership through turbulence

3. Carbon capture — from theory to reality

4. Leadership at scale

5. Talent, purpose, resilience

6. The long view

“Everyone thinks in decades.

This episode is a masterclass in systems thinking — energy, economics, geopolitics, leadership — and what it truly takes to transform the foundations of modern society.

The age of watching is over.

Wildlife populations have declined by 73% in the past 50 years — and by 95% in Latin America. We are losing up to 150 species every day. There are more tigers in captivity than in the wild.

Aldo Kane, former Royal Marine Sniper turned conservation filmmaker, ventures where few dare to follow in the new Apple TV+ documentary series The Wild Ones. Together with Declan Burley and Vianet Djenguet, he searches for the world’s most endangered species in remote jungles, scorching deserts, and high mountains — often in war zones and minefields.

From tracking the rarest Gobi bear in Mongolia to capturing the elusive leopard in Armenia’s minefields, their work is not just about filming — it’s about changing the fate of species. The Wild Ones gather irrefutable evidence and deliver it directly to policymakers, the UN, conservation leaders, and governments who can create protected zones, deploy military patrols, and enforce anti-poaching laws.

In this 60-minute conversation, Aldo shares how wildlife storytelling is evolving into direct conservation action — where everyone can make a difference — and why the future of our planet depends on it.

More: ⁠Aldo Kane ⁠ - ⁠The Wild Ones⁠ - ⁠Host⁠ - ⁠WEF

What happens when a city once defined by conflict becomes a global hub for responsible innovation?

In this episode of Der Große Neustart speaks with Catalina Restrepo Carvajal, Executive Director of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Medellín — the only C4IR in Latin America and part of a global network created in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.

From AI education and digital health to ethical GovTech and climate-smart urban design, Catalina shares how Medellín is leading Latin America’s tech revolution — and what it means to build trust, inclusion, and public value through emerging technologies.

A powerful conversation about dignity, systems change, and the future we choose to create.

This might be the moment you first hear about one of the most important — and least understood — places on Earth.

Virunga National Park, nestled in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is Africa’s oldest national park and home to a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. It’s also a frontline of armed conflict, poverty, and ecological destruction — and yet, a bold transformation is underway.

Emmanuel de Merode is building real-world systems change from the ground up, using hydroelectricity, microfinance, sustainable agriculture, and conservation to rebuild a war-torn economy.

As Director of Virunga, he has spent 20 years turning a war zone into a blueprint for peace and prosperity through nature. In this episode, he speaks about:

• Translating theory into electricity, jobs, cocoa, and peace

“They weren’t killing the gorillas for the meat… They were killing them because the forest had become too valuable.”

This is not just a story of conservation — it’s a masterclass in quiet leadership, moral clarity, and systemic change in one of the most fragile yet vital places on Earth.

More: Virunga National Park - World Economic Forum - Host

In this moving and timely episode, Der Große Neustart welcomes Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research network—leading 9,000 scientists across 89 countries.

CGIAR’s research powers 60% of the world’s wheat and 50% of its rice, and for over 50 years has shaped how the world grows food—securing food systems and lifting millions out of poverty.

We speak with Dr. Elouafi about what it takes to feed 10 billion people in a world of climate shocks, shrinking biodiversity, and deep global inequality—and how science must be at the center of the solution.

She reminds us:

🔍 Topics we explore:

Recognized by The New York Times as one of 10 women redefining leadership, Dr. Elouafi offers not only scientific clarity, but a compelling call to action—grounded in public good, equity, and dignity.

“We must design a system that benefits everyone—especially the most vulnerable.”

More: CGIAR - World Economic Forum - Host

In this episode, Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), discusses the reality of land degradation—and the encouraging path to restoration.

🌍 Why does this matter?

Land degradation isn’t just an environmental crisis—it threatens food security, fuels migration, and drives conflict.

So, who is taking responsibility for restoring our planet’s most valuable resource?

But there is hope. From the Great Green Wall in Africa to China’s Loess Plateau transformation, solutions exist—and they are working.

🎙️ What we discuss:

This is more than an interview—it’s both a wake-up call and a roadmap forward. The solutions are there. More: ⁠UNCCD⁠ GS Ibrahim Thiaw⁠ - ⁠Host⁠ - ⁠World Economic Forum

"I think we need an entire revolution in the fashion industry," says⁠ Runa Ray⁠, my first guest of 2025. And she is making it happen—as a designer, activist, and visionary.

Her journey spans the⁠ Global Peace Flag Initiative⁠, endorsed by the United Nations and hailed as the largest art movement for peace and climate action, to presenting collections at Monte Carlo Fashion Week, the Grammy Awards, and shaping policy at the World Bank.

Through pioneering innovations like algae-based textiles, zero-stitch techniques, and plant-based dyes, Runa challenges both designers and consumers to rethink their role in the system.

She shares profound insights: witnessing coral graveyards in the Maldives, confronting the staggering waste of the fashion industry, and advocating tirelessly for an integrated ocean system.

Born in India and refined by her work with Dior and Galliano in Paris, Runa has turned couture into a powerful tool for change—blending sustainability, peacebuilding, and innovation to redefine the very purpose of fashion.

Runa is stitching together peace, sustainability, and transformation—one design at a time.

🎙️ How do you redefine luxury in a world of urgent environmental challenges? In this episode, I sit down with Philippe Schaus, Chairman and CEO of Moët Hennessy and member of the Executive Committee of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group.

We explore how Moët Hennessy’s 27 iconic maisons—including Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere Vodka, and Dom Pérignon, many with over 300 years of heritage—are innovating to preserve tradition while addressing the planet’s most pressing challenges.

Key Topics Covered:

The State of the Soil: "One gram of soil in your hand has as many organisms as there are humans on earth." With 40% of the world’s soil degraded, Philippe shares his vision for the World Living Soils Forum and Moët Hennessy’s Living Soils, Living Together program.

Facing Climate Reality: "Viticulture is responsible for 23% of carbon emissions. So, we start in our maisons with ourselves." With global temperatures rising, Philippe discusses Moët Hennessy’s approach to reducing emissions while preparing for climate challenges that could eliminate 56% of wine-growing regions.

Sustainable Luxury in Action: From water conservation to circular economies and optimized supply chains, Moët Hennessy is leading the charge for responsible luxury.

Collaboration for Change: Transparency, partnerships, and openness are key to Moët Hennessy’s vision for building a sustainable future.

🌍 Philippe’s Honest Reflections: "Complexity keeps all leaders awake at night." Philippe offers rare insights into the challenges and opportunities of leading transformative change in global luxury.

Join us for this thought-provoking episode as we explore Commitment, Complexity, and Collaboration and uncover how Moët Hennessy is redefining tradition for a sustainable tomorrow.

⁠Moët Hennessy⁠ - ⁠Philippe Schaus⁠ - ⁠Sibylle Barden

María Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition, is one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders. As the Coalition celebrates its 10-year anniversary, María reflects on the milestones that have mobilized over 17,000 companies—representing half of the world’s market capitalization—to commit to climate action.

💬 “We have the commitment of 17,000 companies with half of the world's market cap,” says María. “Everybody's business is part of somebody else's supply chain.”

Key topics include:

💬 “Supporting the ISSB is very important to have a global baseline,” María emphasizes, highlighting the need for alignment across geography, sectors, and industries.

As we approach New York Climate Week and COP29 in Baku, this episode is the perfect refresher on how we can all be a force for good in addressing the climate crisis.