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Your festival for journalism and constructive dialogue

The b° future festival is organized by the Bonn Institute, a non-profit organization. It blends a journalism-focused conference with a civic festival for a unique three-day event, right in the heart of Bonn. The festival revolves around one key question: What kind of journalism does our society need today and in the future?

The b° future festival 2024

The second edition of b° future took place from October 3 to 5, with Bonn's Münsterplatz at the center of the festivities. Visitors, curious passersby, and interested attendees were invited to join free live events such as podcast productions, readings, and interactive discussions, while engaging directly with media professionals. 

Selected sessions tailored to journalism professionals took place alongside the public program.
 

Five takeaways

Menschen sitzen mit Kopfhörern vor dem Podcasthouse auf dem Münsterplatz.
The audience listened to live recordings at the Podcast House
Bettina Koch
Sham Jaff auf der Bühne mit Anita Zielina und Jeanette Gusko
Moderator Sham Jaff onstage with Anita Zielina and Jeanette Gusko
Bettina Koch

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the approximately 300 speakers from over 20 countries who made this diverse and dynamic program possible. 

A special thank you also goes out to the NRW state government, the Rheinische Post media group, the Federal Agency for Civic Education, and additional sponsors for their support.

If everything around us is changing at breakneck speed, how must journalism evolve so that it is still relevant tomorrow? That's what we want to discuss at the b° future festival.

Ellen Heinrichs, Founder and CEO of the Bonn Institute
Ellen Heinrichs und Catarina Carvalho bei der Closing Ceremony
Ellen Heinrichs and Catarina Carvalho at the b° future Closing Ceremony
Bettina Koch

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