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Vanessa
von Hilchen

Position
Head of Political Communication
E-Mail
vonhilchen@zentrum-neue-sozialpolitik.org
Telephone
+49309900294612

Vanessa von Hilchen heads the ZSP communications team and, in this role, is responsible for the organization’s communications strategy and public image.

Her aim: to bring forward-looking social policy concepts into public debate and the political arena. Vanessa is a trained journalist and previously worked as an editor and communications consultant with a focus on political and value-oriented communication.

Question
01

How can communication be used to make political ideas more accessible?

For me, effective communication begins with attentive listening: what really moves people? If you take this seriously, you will find a language that connects everyone. I want to communicate in a way that makes people feel understood—honestly, approachably, and without losing sight of the core message. Part of this involves considering different perspectives.

Question
02

How can you tell that your work is making a difference?

The impact of political communication is rarely measurable in clear-cut terms. It often manifests itself in small moments—for example, when someone says after an event, “That sparked something.” I don't believe in one big moment, but rather that long-term communication is worthwhile—even if the impact is often only visible after a delay.

Question
03

If you were allowed to host a talk show, who would you invite first?

The Kaulitz brothers represent issues that are often neglected in politics: East German biographies, pop culture as a projection screen, and growing up under public scrutiny. Moreover, they would be more entertaining than many politicians—and often more profound than one might expect.

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