Rollende Denkfabrik: Von Duisburg nach China: Luxuszug als Konferenzort

The project led by Unternehmerin Jovanka Porsche aims to establish a conference format for intellectual exchange using a luxury train as the venue. Named "Rollende Denkfabrik" (Rolling Think Factory), the initiative involves a journey from Duisburg, Germany, to Xi'an, China, along the legendary Silk Road, from October 18th to November 4th.

The luxury train, equipped with a bar, pianos, and even gold-lined washbasins or baths, offers comfortable and stylish travel for a select group of 30 to 80 participants. These participants include scientists, politicians, and business leaders such as Armin Laschet, Philipp Rösler, and ex-Chancellor Christian Kern, as well as notable figures like artist Anselm Kiefer, who is still deciding whether to join a segment of the trip.

The route primarily follows the historical Silk Road, a central East-West corridor that has been reinterpreted by Porsche as a modern expansion tool of China. The train departs from Duisburg, known for its status as the largest inland port in the world, connected to an 11,000-kilometer network of railways leading to China. The project is self-funded by Porsche, who hopes to emulate the membership model of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which charges high fees for participation.

The agenda of the trip covers a range of topics from urban planning and artificial intelligence to food safety and the future of work. At various stops, the group will hold public discussions open to the public. The outcomes of these discussions will be published to enrich the debates. Porsche hopes to start a similar journey through Kenya in 2027.