Power of Women visit strengthens dialogue with Global Society Institute in Germany

Power of Women visit strengthens dialogue with Global Society Institute in Germany | Photo: Becca Tapert

The Global Society Institute recently welcomed Shenali Rajaratnam, founder and executive leader of Power of Women, to its location at the Wälderhaus in Hamburg, Germany, for a series of meetings focused on future cooperation, international dialogue and the organisation’s growing engagement in Europe.

The visit followed an earlier exchange at the Global Society Institute in Tarifa, Spain, and marked a further step in developing closer relations between Power of Women and the Institute’s network. During her time in Hamburg, Rajaratnam met with Rüdiger Kruse, Barbara Makowka, Beatrix Palt and Christoph Geisler to discuss possible areas of collaboration and the next stages of engagement.

Power of Women is an international initiative dedicated to advancing female leadership, inclusion and cooperation through music, storytelling and media. The organisation presents its mission as uplifting and uniting women leaders and girls, while building a global community that can contribute collectively to peace, well-being and more equitable representation.

Its approach is grounded in values such as reflection, recognition, respect and collaboration. Through cultural, educational and media-based initiatives, Power of Women seeks to amplify female voices, encourage participation and create wider spaces for dialogue across regions and sectors.

The discussions in Hamburg took place during a period of increasing international activity for the organisation. Power of Women recently participated in CSW70, the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York from 9 to 20 March 2026. The forum focused on advancing gender equality, including access to justice for women and girls, the removal of discriminatory practices and the strengthening of inclusive participation in public life and decision-making.

This international context formed part of the background to the exchange at the Global Society Institute. The meetings addressed how Power of Women’s work could be further connected with European networks and how future cooperation might support its wider objectives in leadership, inclusion and civil society engagement.

According to the information shared following the visit, the discussions included concrete next steps, follow-up conversations and the potential development of future events. The exchange also led to agreements aimed at reinforcing cooperation with the Global Society Institute in both Hamburg and Tarifa.

The visit therefore represented more than an institutional meeting. It reflected a shared interest in creating platforms for dialogue, strengthening international partnerships and supporting initiatives that connect gender equality with cultural engagement, media visibility and civil society cooperation.

Power of Women’s current programme continues to advance these priorities through technology, storytelling, music and digital media. Its 2025 activities placed emphasis on female leadership and digital inclusion, while also linking these themes to broader objectives around peace, prosperity and sustainability.

The Hamburg meetings also took place in the context of wider international coordination. Shenali Rajaratnam and Christoph Alexander Geisler have confirmed their collaboration in coordinating the preparatory process for the civil society component of the G20 Summit in the United States in 2026. This cooperation reflects a shared commitment to strengthening civil society participation and supporting meaningful international exchange ahead of a major global forum.

For the Global Society Institute, the visit underlined the importance of serving as a meeting point for organisations and leaders working across borders on social transformation, global cooperation and public-interest initiatives. The exchange with Power of Women highlights the Institute’s role in facilitating dialogue and connecting actors whose work contributes to broader debates on equality, representation and international responsibility.

Taken together, Shenali Rajaratnam’s visit to the Global Society Institute in Hamburg, the ongoing relationship with its Tarifa location and Power of Women’s wider international engagement point to a developing partnership with clear potential for future collaboration. The meetings established a stronger basis for continued exchange and for joint efforts that bring together female leadership, civil society cooperation and global dialogue.