Unveiling Bilderberg: Power, Secrecy, and Diversity?

By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | April 15, 2025

Vancouver, BC - April 16, 2025 - The Bilderberg Group, founded in 1954, promotes dialogue between Europe and North America to strengthen transatlantic ties. It hosts annual meetings for 120–150 influential figures from politics, business, finance, academia, and media.

The inaugural meeting occurred at the Hotel de Bilderberg in Oosterbeek, Netherlands, chaired by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, with Polish politician Jozef Retinger, Belgian Prime Minister Paul van Zeeland, and Unilever’s Paul Rijkens as key initiators. Originally, each nation invited two attendees—one conservative, one liberal—to ensure balanced views. The group aimed to counter anti-American sentiment and prevent another world war through Atlanticism.

The group’s mission has evolved. Andrew Kakabadse notes its theme is to “bolster a consensus around free-market Western capitalism and its interests globally.” In 2001, founder Denis Healey, a 30-year steering committee member, said, “To say we were striving for a one-world government is exaggerated, but not wholly unfair. We feel a single community would be a good thing” to end conflict.

Meetings operate under the Chatham House Rule, allowing information to be used without attributing speakers. Former chairman Étienne Davignon in 2011 highlighted candid debates as a key attraction, free from media scrutiny. A 2008 press release confirmed no resolutions or votes occur, though a 2009 dinner at Château of Val-Duchesse promoted Herman Van Rompuy’s European Council candidacy.

Secrecy fuels conspiracy theories about global control, but no evidence supports world domination claims. Invitees are selected by a steering committee for their influence, prioritizing diversity in backgrounds and views. Mark Carney, first foreign Governor of the Bank of England in 2013, dubbed a “new broom” by the Financial Times and a “dark horse” by The Independent, attended Bilderberg meetings in 2011, 2012, 2019, and joined the steering committee in 2011. He emphasized racial diversity at the Bank, warning homogenous groups risk bias, yet joined Bilderberg’s notably uniform leadership.

The steering committee, with 34 members, includes billionaires, CEOs, and oil directors like Bloomberg’s editor-in-chief and Goldman Sachs’ chairman. Mellody Hobson, a high-profile investor and diversity advocate married to George Lucas, is the only black member. A trailblazer as the first black woman on JPMorgan Chase’s board and Economic Club of Chicago president, she critiques colour blindness. With Ömer Koç as the only other non-white member, the committee is 94% white, a stark contrast to its 24% female representation (eight women). Historically, only Vernon Jordan, who left in 2011, preceded Hobson as a black member; she joined in 2017.

A few years ago, Montreux conference featured leaders from BP, Microsoft, and Nato, with Mark Carney attending with Bank staff. The agenda covered stability, trade, and AI, debated by a mostly white group. Critics like Ibram X. Kendi call this a “travesty” for a global think tank, urging diverse minds. Sharmila Mehta questions its representativeness. Research shows diversity boosts innovation, yet Bilderberg’s recent appointees, including Carney, remain all white men. Dr. Maya Beasley suggests intentional omission, given ample diverse candidates.

Henry Kissinger, a 1957 attendee still active, embodies Bilderberg’s continuity, alongside dynasties like the Agnellis and Rockefellers. Intelligence ties, via MI6’s Sir John Sawers, reinforce its “old boy network.” Vernon Jordan, a “Washington insider,” and Hobson face a leadership resisting change. Hobson pushes for action, suggesting an ethics board and diversity targets. Without reform, experts argue Bilderberg risks irrelevance in 21st-century politics.

As of April 16, 2025, Mark Carney has been elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, following his victory in the leadership race on March 9, 2025. Regarding his association with the Bilderberg Group, Carney attended its meetings in 2011, 2012, 2019, and reportedly joined the steering committee in 2011. However, there is no definitive public evidence confirming whether he has officially resigned from the Bilderberg Group or its steering committee as of his recent political ascent.

During his leadership campaign, Carney stated he had stepped down from all international roles to focus on his bid, but organizations like Bilderberg have not verified his exit, and some reports suggest he remains connected to various global boards, including Bilderberg, until at least mid-January 2025.

This lack of clarity fuels concerns about his potential continued influence within elite circles, though no concrete proof exists of active participation post-January 2025. Critics on platforms like X have speculated about his elite ties, but such claims remain inconclusive without official confirmation. For the most current status, official statements from Bilderberg or Carney’s office would be needed.

The leadership appointment of Jens Stoltenberg, on November 8, 2024, former NATO Secretary General, alongside the significant influence of Peter Thiel, a prominent tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, highlights a Bilderberg Group that is becoming more deeply entwined with military innovation and political strategy. Stoltenberg brings extensive experience in international security and defense policy, shaping the group's discussions on global stability and military cooperation.

Meanwhile, Thiel, known for his investments in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and defense startups through companies like Palantir, injects a focus on technological advancement and its military applications. Together, their involvement suggests that Bilderberg is increasingly serving as a platform where military priorities and innovative strategies converge, influencing transatlantic policy in ways that blend traditional geopolitics with modern technological warfare, though specific agendas remain confidential under the Chatham House Rule.

The 2025 Bilderberg meeting, marking its 71st gathering, is reportedly scheduled for mid-June 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. This information aligns with recent reports suggesting the event will take place at the Grand Hotel, organized with involvement from the Wallenberg family, who own the venue. However, official confirmation from the Bilderberg Group remains pending, and past instances of leaked details have occasionally been subject to change or speculation.

Given Mark Carney's role as Canada's new Prime Minister, at least until April 28th, and his historical ties to Bilderberg, including his steering committee membership, his participation—or absence—could be a point of interest, though no specific updates confirm his status for this meeting as of now.

Three groups similar to the Bohemian Club, known for their exclusivity, secretive gatherings, and influence among elites, include:

-Skull and Bones: Founded in 1832 at Yale University, this society is an invitation-only group that selects 15 senior members annually. Known as "Bonesmen," its members include influential figures like George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and John Kerry. Meetings occur at the "Tomb," a private building in New Haven, Connecticut, with rumors of rituals like lying in a coffin, though details remain speculative due to its secrecy.

-Trilateral Commission: Formed in 1973 by David Rockefeller, this group includes around 300 prominent individuals from Europe, North America, and Asia. It aims to enhance international cooperation, holding meetings throughout the year. Critics suggest it may influence global policy, though its private discussions fuel speculation about a "new world order."

-The Bohemian Club: An exclusive, private gentlemen's club founded in 1872 in San Francisco, California, originally for artists and writers. Today, it includes influential businessmen, politicians, and media figures, such as former U.S. presidents and CEOs. The club hosts an annual retreat, the Bohemian Grove, in Monte Rio, California, where members engage in networking and rituals like the "Cremation of Care" ceremony. Known for its secrecy and elite membership, it has sparked speculation about its influence, though official details remain limited.

#Bilderberg Group #Transatlantic Dialogue #Mark Carney #Global Politics #Diversity In Leadership #Secret Meetings #Western Capitalism #International Relations #WBN News Global #Elke Porter

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