Europe has been facing a polycrisis for some time. Shifting power dynamics, geopolitical rivalries, economic dependencies, technological change and growing security challenges are fundamentally transforming Europe’s position in the world. Yet periods of upheaval can also create opportunities to rethink established approaches and develop innovative solutions.

For five years, the Academy of International Affairs NRW (AIA NRW) has pursued precisely this ambition: bringing together scientific expertise and practical perspectives to address emerging challenges. Interdisciplinary research projects on issues such as space policy, disinformation and artificial intelligence have provided original and solution-oriented contributions to current international debates.

To mark its fifth anniversary, the Academy will bring together leading voices from politics, academia and the private sector to examine Europe’s strategic capacity for action. The symposium will explore the political, economic, technological and security dimensions of European strategic autonomy, as well as the tensions between interdependence and sovereignty in a globalised world.

Highlights include:

• Prof. Dr. Volker Perthes, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Norbert Röttgen MdB and Prof. Dr. Robert Spano, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and former President of the European Court of Human Rights discuss the future of global governance and the role of multilateralism and minilateralism.

• Axel Petri, Deutsche Telekom AG, Jürgen Stock, former Secretary General of Interpol, and Dr. Moritz Weiß, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, examine new public-private partnerships to protect critical infrastructure.

• Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, IDOS, and Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Hoch, Rector of the University of Bonn, discuss the role of scientific institutions in strengthening European strategic autonomy.

• Matthias Hauer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space will deliver a keynote speech.

• Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal, European, and International Affairs and for Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, will set out his perspective on comprehensive security in an era of geopolitical change.

Across three panels, the symposium will bring together trans-, multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives to explore how Europe can strengthen its resilience, withstand external shocks and enhance its capacity to shape global governance — while remaining committed to cooperation, multilateralism and shared values.

The event will conclude with a festive evening reception marking the fifth anniversary of the Academy of International Affairs NRW, featuring an anniversary address on the topic “Power, Responsibility, and Europe’s Role in the World” by Armin Laschet, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.