Theme special

Disruption and Reform

In light of global crises and increasingly disruptive, authoritarian forms of politics, forward-looking, cooperative reforms are necessary to secure sustainable development, international cooperation and democratic foundations. In this web special you will find IDOS's work on the dynamics of our 2025/26 annual theme, ‘Disruption and Reform’.

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Dekorationselement
At IDOS, we aspire to co-shape a collaborative multipolar world for sustainable futures. We do so by conducting high-quality research, offering independent policy advice, and learning across borders and regions while seeking to align development and sustainability.
Stabilization and development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena)
Theme special

Stabilization and development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena)

This research and advisory initiative examines the question of what the changes mean for Germany's and Europe's dealings with the MENA countries.

The research and advisory project addresses the question of how development cooperation can make a more effective contribution to improving food security in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
Theme special

Food security and agriculture for a world without hunger

The research and advisory project addresses the question of how development cooperation can make a more effective contribution to improving food security in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Opinion pieces and media contributions

The Current Column

Why Germany and Europe Should Clearly State Their Commitment to International Law

Jasmin Lorch

A clear commitment to international law is not only required from a normative and legal point of view but for pragmatic reasons too.

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Khmer Times

Enhancing the social contract: Why it matters

Markus Loewe

Social contracts can be understood as the total set of explicit and implicit agreements between the state and society. Mmany of these agreements are implicit: citizens may never formally consent, yet they accept—or at least tolerate—the governing order so long as expectations are met.

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Events

Current publications

Competing visions of Global development

Sumner, Andy / Stephan Klingebiel (2026)

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau Logo

Globale Entwicklungsarchitektur: Szenarien 2030

Sumner, Andy / Stephan Klingebiel (2026)

Global order in transition: anxiety in the North, agency in the South

Ishmael, Len / Stephan Klingebiel / Andy Sumner (2026)

The triple disconnect. Power, money, and voice in the UN development system: mapping influence and informality

Schönrock, Philipp / Frederik Matthys / Arelys Bellorini / Anna Novoselova (2026)

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IDOS-Newsletter January 2026

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