International Forum on Strategic Thinking
The International Forum on Strategic Thinking, established in November 2005, succeeds the Forum European Foreign and Security Policy, which had existed since 1997. It offers a platform to discuss threats and challenges in the area of foreign and security policy not only from a European perspective, but by way of including global actors and strategically important regions such as Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, using a broadened security perspective. The traditional topics of the Forum (EU Enlargement, European Integration, EFSP/CFSP) are thus being increasingly supplemented by debates on new security challenges and threats, such as terrorism, state failure, the role of non-governmental actors, energy security, protection of the environment and climate change, as well as demography, migration, epidemics etc.
The International Forum on Strategic Thinking is a key instrument to promote young professionals and future decision-makers in the field of foreign and security policy. Special emphasis is devoted to fostering sustainable contacts among young European and non-European leaders, in order to create a network capable of developing common solutions to global challenges. Additionally, the Forum specifically aims at creating and promoting new networks and leadership capacities in strategically important regions.
The Forum organizes three events per year: an International Summer School and two New Faces Conferences. On a tri-annual basis an Alumni Conference is held in Berlin. The next Alumni Conference will be held in fall 2008. Using this dual approach, the Forum brings together young leaders in different stages of their careers. This growing network of alumni and experts is supported through the Forum’s website, alumni database and regular newsletters.
