Philosopher and writer Peter Sloterdijk studied philosophy, history and German language and literature in Munich and at the University of Hamburg from 1968 to 1974. Since the 1980s, Sloterdijk has worked as a freelance writer. His book "Kritik der zynischen Vernunft" (Critique of Cynical Reason), published by Suhrkamp Verlag in 1983, is one of the best-selling philosophical books of the 20th century.

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann is Executive Director and Co-Proprietor of the Miele Group, the world´s leading premium manufacturer of domestic appliances, founded in 1899. He studied Economics, Business Administration, History and the History of Music and Philosophy in Freiburg, Boston (Harvard) and Cologne.

Marcel Fratzscher is President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Professor of Macroeconomics at Humboldt University Berlin and among other things, member of the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His work focuses on macroeconomics and financial markets, inequality, and the globalization and integration of Europe.