Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East
Extraterrestrial space, the fifth domain of human civilization - after land, sea, air and cyberspace - is a place of power projection and power politics by and between states with enormous economic, military and strategic consequences for the entire international community. The space sector is also gaining strategic importance in the Middle East region. To this end, we brought together young students from the Middle East with European students to exchange ideas, create connections and develop a platform for cooperation.
The keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl (President, International Institute of Space Law) set the mood for the Spring School, whose highlights included an interactive workshop session conducted by our cooperation partner, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), and a simulation of a UN session. With renowned guests and speakers such as Dr. Mohamed Al-Aseeri (Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Space Agency) and Prof. Dr. Lawrence P. Rubin (Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology), the participants were able to gain insights into current developments in space policy. The interdisciplinary orientation of the students - from space technology to law and political science - enabled a multi-perspective approach to the topic.
The format of this Spring School - as a continuation of the Winter School held on the same topic - is unique in the world. It creates a platform - not only for experts, but above all for the new generation, the Space Young Leaders, who have a unique opportunity for cross-regional and cross-disciplinary exchange on the potential for cooperation in the space sector in the Middle East and the role of space diplomacy.
Partners are the (Young) Society for Security Policy, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), the Institut français Bonn, the Institute for Qualifying Innovation Research and Consulting (IQIB) as a subsidiary of the German Aerospace Center, the Center for Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn and the Bahrain Space Agency.
