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), and Norbert Röttgen MdB discussing 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, examining new public-private partnerships to protect critical infrastructure.

• Matthias Hauer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, IDOS, and further leading experts discussing the role of scientific institutions in strengthening European strategic autonomy.

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 symposium will conclude with a festive evening reception celebrating five years of the Academy of International Affairs NRW.