Andreas Johannes is a European at heart, a convinced Austrian, a charismatic persuasion artist, but also a rational thinking humanist. The inquisitive garden and music lover is characterised by his self-confidence and quick comprehension. He uses his free time to develop his varied interests, to broaden his horizons, to travel and discover new countries - and to strike up conversations with people wherever he can. With the founding of European Dialogue, he has fulfilled his heart's desire to finally realise visions himself and, together with his team, to work for an imaginative future.

A bundle of energy, open and not the  quiet type – these are just a few keywords that could be used to describe our deputy chairperson, member representative and organiser. Her greatest passions are people and their stories. Andrea is an opportunity giver, and above all an opportunity seizer: She is constantly looking for new challenges and new dialogue partners for an interesting exchange of views on all topics. If she were an animal, she would be a combination of a protective lioness, endowed with the energy of a hamster and the kindness and loyalty of a golden retriever.

Cosmopolitan, European, Austrian: this is how Julian sees himself – in that order. His personal background reflects his open-minded attitude towards the world and Europe. Born and raised in Linz, he moved to Graz after the “Matura” to study English and American Studies with the combined degree program Europe, which prepares students for an international/European career in the fields of foreign languages, business and law. As part of his studies, he spent a semester in Connecticut, another in Paris. As general secretary he is in charge of various administrative tasks and looks after both domestic and foreign ED members and their interests.

There from the beginning and as the youngest board member a fresh source of enrichment for us! When he's not working hard for ED in the summer, he's at the tennis court or gliding across the water on a wakeboard; in winter he swings his skis down the pistes. In addition to  his affinity for sports and his studies in business law, his interests also lie in nature and the environment. He sees through situations at lightning speed and always has valuable input ready. As a dutiful financial officer, he always keeps a watchful eye on our situation. And even if his love for the federal capital Vienna is almost immeasurable - his Klosterneuburg roots are unmistakable.

Simon is a life lover through and through. Without him, European Dialogue would not be what it is today. As the owner of the charming Café Promenade and the striking  Pink Elephants, he inspires those around him as an open-minded creative mind with charm, Carinthian dialect and good drinks. Simon is always open to new things and always manages with ease to get into conversation with people, to give inputs and to turn the craziest ideas into reality. On the board of directors, he is responsible for event management at ED and, as a pioneer and DJ, is simply a cool guy who you like to go around with.

Helmut is a rock that we all rely on! As an indispensable founding member of ED  and as a board member, Helmut proves like no other that you not only enrich and strengthen each other in conversation, but also in sport: Helmut believes in the unifying power of football. He sees ball sports as a symbol of the symbiosis of the game and daily interaction in the ongoing "game of life". He learned his craft of bringing people from all social groups a little closer together as a taxi driver and now as a Velo-Food deliverer in Graz. He pursues this vocation of the judge of character and mediator with so much passion that he – actually a trained historian – has begun to see the story of his life in it. At the latest, his second home, Japan, and the connections with people there, have opened the eyes of this nature and animal lover from tranquil south-eastern Styria. Being together – whether in dialogue or in sport – is always the focus for him. His "Kick Europe Fit" football tournaments are now legendary and an integral part of ED.

If you visit European Dialogue events, an encounter with Johanna is almost guaranteed. Communication and sociability are two essential qualities that make our Johanna what she is. That's how we got to know her: with a microphone in her hand, never deterred, and passionate in discussion. Her good heart and her empathy characterise this inquisitive citizen of Graz, who never hides her pedagogical parental connection. As a professional body painter, she travels all over Europe.
In addition to her, it is above all "Nahko", her old German herding dog, who constantly charms our ED friends and arouses their interest.

Sporty, open and rarely saying “no”: that is Stefan. Having travelled to more than 44 countries, he now commutes between Vienna, Pinkafeld and Graz as an editor for newspapers and as a law student in Vienna. It is not uncommon for Stefan to be seen as a model or even as a professional dancer on television. You have to admit: simply cool! His diversity is also a major inspirational contribution for us as a team. That passion for social media can also be found at European Dialogue: it is indispensable for communication on our platforms and of course also at events.