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

Resilience, the new silver bullet

Julia Leininger

Resilience dominates security policy. But without a democratic culture and a 360-degree view, it remains an empty formula.

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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

Science for Africa’s future food security: the need for an all-Africa food supply strategy

Kornher, Lukas / Isabell Daniels / Getaw Tadesse (2026)

Journal cover

The hidden costs of coffee production in the Eastern African value chains

Adong, Annet / Lukas Kornher / Bezawit Beyene, Chichaibelu / Aslihan Arslan (2026)

Journal cover

Using high-frequency data to measure the resilience of households to food insecurity and women’s dietary diversity in Uganda

Adong, Annet / Lukas Kornher / Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu / Emily Ijete Amondo / Benard Bashaasha (2026)

Journal cover

European aid and democracy support to MENA countries after the Arab uprisings: a critical juncture missed

Bodenstein, Thilo / Mark Furness (2026)

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IDOS-Newsletter January 2026

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