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.
Water
Theme special

The Future of World Trade

The global trading system is in a phase of upheaval and uncertainty. Against this backdrop, the trade experts at IDOS are examining the effectiveness, legitimacy and sustainability of the international trading system.

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

Are youth protests pathways to democracy? Lessons from Madagascar

Toto, Priscilla / Lena Gutheil

GenZ protests are not always disruptive. Yet, in Madagascar, in an empowering moment for the youth, they toppled the regime.

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Sustainable Futures Blog

Executive Disorder – The United States officially turn their back on international climate governance

Steffen Bauer

Steffen Bauer examines why the United States’ withdrawal from the international climate regime shakes the foundations of global climate governance — and what scientific and geopolitical consequences this move may trigger.

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Events

Current publications

IDOS Discussion Paper Cover

Geopolitics and development in Central Asia: exploring opportunities for middle powers

Woo, Hyeyoung (2/2026)

IDOS Discussion Paper Cover

What do the 2015 SDG negotiations teach us for a beyond-2030 framework?

von Haaren, Paula / Axel Berger (1/2026)

Journal cover

Animal Celebrities - then and now: exploring oceanic imaginaries through celebrity marine mammals

Gehrke, Charlotte (2026)

Foreign Affairs Logo

The Personalist Global Order: when individual whims drive Great-Power Policy

Gunitsky, Seva / Semuhi Sinanoglu (2026)

Newsletter

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IDOS-Newsletter January 2026

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