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’.

Read more
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

In Memory of Egypt’s Failed Revolution

El-Haddad, Amirah

Revolutions are measured not by slogans or moments of collective euphoria, but by whether they give birth to radical change in institutions that outlives the street.

Read more
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.

Read more

Events

Virtual Info Session 1
Online Panel Discussion
Further 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

Sign up here for our monthly newsletter and stay informed about all the important news from the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS). The newsletter provides you with information on new publications, research projects, events and job vacancies.

IDOS-Newsletter January 2026

Subscribe now

About us