The Summer Academy has become a valued tradition at AIA NRW. Over three and a half days, a diverse group of academics, diplomats, experts, and practitioners in the field of subnational diplomacy came together, forming a close-knit community and developing a shared repertoire of knowledge and approaches.

Space exploration was always linked to military and strategic interests and was long ruled by the rivalry between the two super power blocs led by the USA and the Soviet Union. During the period of international relaxation, scientific and civilian goals temporarily came to the fore. For example, the International Space Station (ISS), which was …

In the wake of the “Arab Spring” and the social protests related to the financial crisis, there was a widespread enthusiasm about the role that social media channels can play for democratic protest movements. Ten years later the euphoria over new, democratic opportunities for communication and political opinion-forming online has largely given way to disillusionment. …

The first event, the Summer Academy ‘Artificial Intelligence and International Politics’, has already taken place. The Academy held a discussion with members of the scientific and diplomatic communities about the role of Artificial Intelligence in international relations. Individual lectures were broadcast online in a livestream and are now freely available as video or audio recordings.