Benjamin Westhoff
Who we are
The Academy of International Affairs NRW, based in the federal city of Bonn, is dedicated to the global challenges and structural changes in international politics in the 21st century. The Academy’s fellowship programme focuses on promoting academic excellence and international and interdisciplinary networking.
Fellowship
Application 2026
Application is now open until May 31, 2026 for a 3- to 10-month long fellowship programme at the Academy of International Affairs NRW in Bonn.
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Events
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“Unsere Menschen sind nicht frei!” Churches and Pluralistic Diplomacy in the Struggle for an Independent Namibia (1946-1990)
In this lecture, David Brandon Smith will present the results of an ongoing research project on the role of the churches in Namibia’s struggle for independence and consider new avenues for research on ‘pluralistic diplomacy’ – an interdisciplinary approach built upon the recognition that nation-states and intergovernmental organizations are not the only actors that shape world affairs. As the largest non-governmental institutions in Namibia, churches were both prime movers in the struggle and epicenters of conflict about it throughout the apartheid era. This is, perhaps, to be expected in a country where 90% of the population claims a Christian identity. While not all Christians and church organizations reacted to the independence struggle in the same way, church leaders began advocating for a degree of political and ecclesiastical independence as early as the mid-1940s. In 1978, the largest and most demographically representative churches formally established the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN). While much of the political leadership of the independence movement was in exile, the CCN and its member churches emerged as the prime movers toward independence within Namibia. Around the world, ecumenical organizations like the World Council of Churches and its Programme to Combat Racism (WCC-PCR), along with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), served as essential contacts for governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental activities in and related to Namibia. While some church groups either supported or did not actively oppose apartheid and occupation, others took as many opportunities as possible to declare to anyone who would listen on behalf of the people they served, “Unsere menschen sind nicht frei” (“Our people are not free”)!
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Brazilian Paradiplomacy: Historical Trajectories, Institutions, and Case Studies
The Academy of International Affairs NRW, in cooperation with the Paradiplomacy Scholars Forum, will host an online seminar on Brazilian paradiplomacy. The event brings together leading scholars to examine the historical development, legal-institutional consolidation and contemporary challenges of subnational international action in Brazil. The discussion will address federal dynamics, regional asymmetries and political crisis contexts, while also reflecting on how paradiplomacy engages with global agendas such as sustainability, the Amazon, gender equity, migration and the SDGs. Herewith, we would like to thank Katja Freistein, Manuel Becker, Joanna Ciesielska-Klikowska and Tomasz Kamiński for their support in preparing and organising the webinar.
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German Colonialism and its first Genocide
As Europe rethinks its foreign policy amidst shifting global political relations, one question remains central: Can cooperation succeed without confronting colonial history? This panel takes Germany’s first genocide of the 20th century in Namibia as a starting point to explore how colonial legacies continue to shape today’s global crises, from geopolitics and inequality to diplomacy and democracy. What does the “past in the present” mean for justice claims and Europe’s future role in the world? With experts Henning Melber, Katharina Hacker, and Julia Manek, moderated by Heloise Weber, the discussion will connect postcolonial perspectives with today’s political challenges, including the rise of authoritarian populism as well as transnational efforts aimed at building relations of solidarity and ‘just repair’ Join the conversation and be part of a critical debate on history, responsibility, and the future of international cooperation. In cooperation with:
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European Regions and the Future of Europe’s Soft Power
The Academy of International Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia, in partnership with the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union, invites policymakers, practitioners and researchers to a workshop examining the role of European regions in strengthening the Union’s soft power and cultural diplomacy. The event takes place at the NRW Representation in Brussels, against the backdrop of the European Commission’s ongoing work to integrate the 2016 Joint Communication on international cultural relations within the broader Culture Compass for Europe. The workshop addresses four interconnected themes: the distinctive contributions that regional actors can make to European external relations; the soft power dimensions of higher education and science diplomacy; the evolving role of national institutes of culture and arm’s length bodies; and the implications of AI and digital transformation for public diplomacy practice. Structured panel discussions and plenary debate will consider how multi-level governance might be harnessed more effectively to build European influence and resilience in a contested international environment. An evening programme will provide opportunities for informal exchange. Further information are available from Stuart MacDonald, AIA NRW Fellow. Programme
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Heritage Across Borders: Translocal Diaspora Networks and Pathways to Inclusive Peace
In the era defined by geopolitical uncertainties, long-standing conflicts, and mounting pressure on liberal democratic standards, the diaspora and translocal groups have become the key players in peacebuilding and cross-border collaboration. This shifting global landscape underscores the need to examine peace formation beyond formal diplomacy, drawing attention to the informal, affective, and translocal infrastructures constructed by ordinary people, mobile communities, and diasporic actors across regions. This workshop examines the mechanisms through which such communities function as agile, adaptive peace infrastructures through which pilgrimage paths, pastoral migration pathways and migrant memory networks are transformed as reconciliation platforms across South Asia, West Africa and Europe. By drawing together cases spanning the Global South and Global North, the workshop highlights how peace imaginaries and mobility practices circulate trans-regionally, generating new forms of interconnected governance and solidarity. The workshop explores the identities-in-motion approach as a framework for recalibrating borders, fostering constructive dialogue, and enabling comparative analysis through inclusive peace strategies. It does so by examining cases such as the Kartarpur Corridor with its distinct translocal resonance, Fulani mobility systems in the Lake Chad Basin, Turkish-German integration pathways, and Syrian diaspora settlement processes.
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How do empires act?
Both research on (post-)coloniality and imperialism as a driving force of international relations have established that empires are to be counted among the most powerful political entities. But how do empires exert their power? In order to approximate this very fundamental question, I will lay out competing ideas of imperial power and action and opt for a productive compromise between actor- and structure-driven approaches, which emphasizes the importances of imperial attitudes and ideas as carriers of imperial power.
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Autocracy On the Rise – Can Cities Save Democracy?
Cities play a crucial role in building and maintaining democratic attitudes and processes. In response to increasing political paralysis, ideological deadlock or illiberal practices at the national level, mayors across Europe have formed regional policy and city networks to support each other in their efforts in areas such as climate protection and sustainable economic development, public health and migration. During the evening panel discussions, we will discuss democratic innovation as a topic of city diplomacy: How can we preserve democracy and open societies in the face of anti-democratic authoritarian actors? How can we build trust in democracy from the local level upwards? How can we exchange best practices and successful innovations in the field of democracy and participation across Europe and even worldwide, and learn from each other?
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Science Dialogue Day
Together with the Managing Global Governance (MGG) program of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), we look forward to the third edition of Science Dialogue Day. Across NRW, a growing number of research, training, and policy-oriented institutions have established academies and capacity-building initiatives to prepare young professionals and emerging leaders for global challenges. These programmes share a belief in the power of dialogue, peer learning, and evidence-based leadership development to advance the 2030 Agenda and foster just, inclusive, and sustainable societies. The Science Dialogue Day is a collaborative format initiated by the MGG Programme to strengthen exchange and cooperation among leadership academies and training programmes in NRW that are committed to sustainable development and international cooperation. Following the successful first Dialogue Day on “Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion” held at IDOS in 2024, this second in presence edition will deepen the exchange by focusing on two interrelated dimensions: first, understanding the rationales and evolving mandates of leadership programmes, and second, exploring how to conceptualise and assess their impact.
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South Korean Soft Power and Beyond. Lessons from the Korean Wave for Cultural Diplomacy
The role of culture for the prestige and relative status of countries is well-known. While that kind of soft power remains difficult to measure in terms of its actual influence on international politics, cultural diplomacy is an established instrument of states’ foreign policy. The dominance of Western culture has long been contested, as Indian cinema, Japanese kawaii culture and the Korean Wave, to name but a few, have gained traction, not only in Asia but also in other parts of the world, including the West. This has boosted the visibility of some key states and elevated their global status. With the return of the Korean mega group BTS to the stage in the near future, for example, another economic boost is expected, and South Korea is projected to experience gains in tourism and investment. Thus is has notably benefitted from its soft power. Studying select cases such as South Korea and as well as discussing insights from culture diplomacy actors of European countries like Germany and Great Britain and others, the experts at this event will debate the potential of cultural diplomacy in influencing foreign policy and draw on the idea of soft power to explore strategies for the future. The experts include Dr Dongho Han (Korea Institute for National Unification, Seoul), who will talk about the role of public diplomacy regarding Korean reunification, Dr Natalia Grincheva (Lasalle University, Singapore), who will present her data that forecasts the impact of the Korean Wave, and many other experts in the field of soft power and cultural diplomacy. From data-based projections of soft power to traditional approaches of cultural diplomacy, the lessons that can be learned have interesting implications for diplomacy and foreign policy more generally. The event is open to students, academics, policymakers, cultural and economic stakeholders, and the wider public interested in contemporary approaches to soft power and culture politics. Programme
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National Soft Power: Policy, Strategy and Measurement
On 12 November, AIA Fellow Stuart MacDonald organizes a workshop for academics and practitioners, examining the state of soft power in 2025. Drawing on findings from a recent comprehensive comparative study of 24 countries and the EU, and the unique empirical data generated for the research, the event will advance both theoretical understanding and practical application of soft power trends, mechanisms, and impacts in the current international context. There will also be a focus on innovative methodologies for measuring the impact of soft power activities. The workshop will be an opportunity for participants to feedback on both the current state of play and on the uses of data-led approaches to measuring the impact of this crucial area of international relations.
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Beyond Culture – Rethinking the EU’s Approach to Soft Power in a Turbulent World
The European Union is beginning a review of its 2016 Joint Communication on international cultural relations. This policy brief argues that the review presents an opportunity to reconceive the scope and purpose of EU-level coordination of international engagement. Drawing on a 25-jurisdiction comparative study published by the British Council in March 2026 (the ‘Trends study’) …
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The EU Green Deal and Renewable Energy Transitions in Europe–Africa Relations: A Synthesis of Complexities and Geopolitics
The EU Green Deal (EGD) is transforming Europe–Africa relations by moving away from historical patterns of exploitation toward equitable collaboration in renewable energy. By fostering co-ownership and co-creation of clean energy technologies, the EGD aligns with Africa’s development goals, offering stable, low-carbon energy initiatives less vulnerable to market shocks. However, the rise of far-right political …
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Order and Ideology
Why the Trump Administration is Redefining American Power and Purpose This paper analyses the foreign policy orientation of the second Trump administration. It argues that this does not represent an attempt at reform, but rather a fundamental departure from the liberal international order that has existed since the Second World War. Contrary to initial assumptions, …
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Sub-National Diplomacy: Alternative Pathways to Stability and Conflict Transformation in Nigeria and Pakistan
The traditional rulers in Nigeria and customary forums such as Jirgas in Pakistan function as hybrid governance institutions that mediate between state authority, local communities, and constitutional norms, asking how they sustain legitimacy and accountability in fragile democracies while delivering justice and managing conflict. The research uses a comparative qualitative approach that analyses policy documents, …
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City Clusters in China-Germany Subnational Diplomacy
This paper offers a new framework for understanding China-Germany sister-city diplomacy through the lens of city cluster logic, enabling subnational actors to navigate complex institutional structures and networked partnerships more strategically. Drawing upon a comprehensive policy analysis and a series of 68 interviews conducted in Germany and China between 2022 and 2025, this study illuminates …
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Débora Prado
A Comparative Analysis of the International Actions of Subnational Governments in Brazil and Germany
This project examines how regional governments in Brazil and Germany engage internationally and why their actions matter for global debates. It focuses on two key areas: the global COVID-19 pandemic and environmental diplomacy. The study explores how subnational actors build partnerships, influence policy, and expand their presence beyond national borders, highlighting the growing relevance of subnational diplomacy in International Relations.
Impulse
The Academy’s new video format
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From Beijing to Shanghai: Inside a 5-City Urban Diplomacy Field Trip
After three weeks of fieldwork across Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai, Anna Shpakovskaya explored how…
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Democratic Resilience in an Age of Crisis
According to the 2024 Varieties of Democracy report, there are now 91 autocracies and 88 democracies…
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The Power of National Dialogues
In a world frequently marked by political upheaval and conflict, national dialogues have emerged as vital…
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China’s investment in Africa – between myths and challenges
China’s investment in Africa has sparked debate, driving economic growth while raising concerns about debt dependency…
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