Turkey is increasingly emerging as a key geopolitical player between the Black Sea, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East. The workshop analyzes Ankara’s foreign and security policy strategy in the context of geopolitical competition, energy policy, and regional power shifts.

The ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East makes it urgently necessary to pursue joint, inclusive solutions and create spaces for dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. The ICI and the Bonn Center for Reconciliation Studies are bringing together representatives from academia, politics, business, and civil society to analyze the consequences, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable peace and to jointly develop strategies for stability in the region.

The Spring School focuses on the strategic space policies of Middle Eastern countries and examines the legal, military, economic, and technological opportunities and challenges involved in establishing, developing, and fostering sustainable cooperation in space. Lectures and panel discussions by experts from the fields of politics, business, and diplomacy will be complemented by a UN simulation and interactive workshops.

The interdisciplinary conference “Between Diversity and Cohesion” explores how interfaith education can serve as a key resource for strengthening democratic values, social resilience, and the capacity for constructive dialogue in increasingly pluralistic societies. The goal is to connect stakeholders from academia, education, and the field, develop concrete strategies, and formulate recommendations for action to sustainably promote tolerance, critical thinking, and democratic engagement.

Conference 5 | For the fifth time, the conference will bring together leading actors from politics and diplomacy, academia and civil society to discuss sustainable post-war visions for the region and identify paths to regional stability and long-term peace.

This international conference builds on the success of the previous Berlin Conference and brings together stakeholders from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe to develop concrete strategies for regional cooperation in areas such as reconstruction, green energy, digitalization, and infrastructure. The focus is on regional solutions to conflicts, deeper integration through initiatives such as IMEC, and the promotion of a shared vision for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

This international conference is dedicated to strengthening the partnership between the European Union and Africa in climate action, biodiversity management, and green transformation. It focuses on closing policy, technology, and financing gaps and sharing best practices to advance shared environmental goals within the framework of the shared 2030 Vision and the global sustainability agenda.

The international conference will take a close look at the two security policy theaters of war of the 21st century - the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East - and systematically analyze the interdependencies between the two wars, the regional consequences and the impact on the global order, and explore possible paths to regional stability and peace.

Young Leaders Summer Academy 2025 | Climate change does not stop at national borders; persistent drought in the Negev Desert will affect the communities living there. Other countries in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Egypt, will also suffer when drought causes crop failures, food shortages, and disputes over resources.

The international conference China in the Middle East: Geopolitics, Trade and Society examines China's growing role in the Middle East as a geostrategically relevant region. Actors from politics, diplomacy and academia will discuss the current challenges and opportunities for cooperation in relations between China and the Middle East.

The interdisciplinary conference Between Dialogue and Dogma examines the complex interactions between religion and politics in the 21st century with a special focus on the Middle East. The aim is to critically reflect on the role of religion in conflicts and peace processes and to work out its peace-building potential in social and political contexts.

The international conference Shared Roots, Common Future sheds light on the role of religion as a bridge-builder between cultures and societies in an increasingly polarized world. Experts from academia, politics and civil society will engage in an interdisciplinary and interreligious discussion about common roots, potential for conflict and ways to achieve a constructive dialog between the Middle East and Europe.

Spring School 2025 | The upcoming Spring School will examine the strategic space approaches of Middle Eastern countries and analyze the legal, military, economic and technological opportunities and challenges for the establishment, development and sustainable cooperation in space.

Conference 4 | The fourth conference was overshadowed by two significant developments: the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the re-election of Donald Trump as US President. In addition, cooperative approaches to peacebuilding at grassroots level were analyzed and reconciliation concepts were reflected on from a historical perspective.

Winter School 2024 | Space is a strategic sector of enormous relevance for the state, society and the economy. The countries of the Middle East are also investing in the sector. Students from Europe and the Middle East analyzed ways to cooperate in space.

Conference 3 | Participants at the third round of the conference discussed a wide range of topics, including the post-war reconstruction of Gaza, peace strategies for the region, the escalation of violence in Lebanon and the growing cooperation between Iran and Russia. 

The conference aims to develop a regional vision for cooperation and stability, discuss sustainable post-war scenarios and address urgent security and humanitarian needs.

The conference examines the impact of the EU Green Deal on energy relations, security, justice and cooperation between Europe and Africa. The aim is to promote dialog and jointly develop technologies for renewable energies.

The clash of different religions is often cited as the cause of violent conflicts (Huntington). In fact, armed and violent conflicts are usually triggered by political power struggles.