Study Groups, Discussion Groups and Task Forces

Study Groups

Study Group on Strategic Issues

Chairman: Hans-Ulrich Klose, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Henning Riecke

The study group works on the topic of international security policy. The developments in NATO are continuously discussed. In 2007 an ever intensive debate on a strategic concept is likely. Another topic is the role of Germany and Europe as actors in strategic regions.

Study Group on Globalization and World Economy

Chairman: Eckart von Klaeden, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Claudia Schmucker

Katharina Gnath is now responsible for the Study Group on Globalization and World Economy. The group is led by Eckart von Klaeden. The study group analyses current developments in world economy and focuses particularly on the consequences for Germany and the EU.

Study Group on European Policy

Chairman: Dr. Werner Hoyer, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Henning Riecke

The work of the Study Group on European Policy is organized around two groups: the core group works in several sessions on particular topics and prepares policy papers. Building up on the work done here, events for a larger audience are prepared. The agenda for the year 2007 is mainly set by the German EU presidency.

Study Group on Global Issues

Chairman: Dr. Reinhard Loske, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Claudia Schmucker, Dr. Henning Riecke

The main focus of the Study Group on Global Issues centers on the topics environment and development. The Kyoto protocol and energy security will remain key topics. Africa and the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals as well as new forms of development aid will also be on the agenda. In 2007 the German G 8 Presidency will come to the fore.

Discussion Groups

Discussion Group Transatlantic Relations

Chairman: Karsten D. Voigt, Coordinator for German-American Cooperation, Foreign Office
Academic Advisor: Oliver Schmidt

The Discussion Group Transatlantic Relations was set up in 2001 and since then supported by the Fritz Thyssen foundation. Participants are experts on transatlantic relations from politics, academia, the economy and the media. The build-up of a network of young foreign policy practitioners is one of the main tasks of the group.

Discussion Group Franco-German Relations

Chairman: Dr. Andreas Schockenhoff, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Claire Demesmay

The Discussion Group Franco-German Relations holds meetings several times a year. More than 180 high ranking representatives from politics, the administration, the economy, academia, culture and the media belong to this group. Since January 2003 the discussion group convenes under a new chairman, Dr. Andreas Schockenhoff (MP and Vice Chairman of the CDU/CSU Bundestag fraction).

Discussion Group Poland/German-Polish Relations

Chairman: Markus Meckel, MP
Academic Advisor: Stephen Bastos

Members of this group, led by Markus Meckel, are more than 100 notable Poland experts from politics, academia and the economy. The aim of the group is to work intensively on current issues, which concern Poland and the German-Polish relations.

The discussion group meets two or three times a year. An expert lecture is always followed by an intensive debate.

The Central Europe Program in cooperation with the chairman of the group prepares the group’s meetings.

Discussion Group Central Europe

Chairman: Christian Schmidt, MP
Academic Advisor: Dr. Gereon Schuch

Members of this group, led by Christian Schmidt, are more than 100 notable experts from politics, academia and the economy. The aim of the group is to work intensively on current issues, which concern Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary and the German relation to those countries.

The discussion group meets two or three times a year. An expert lecture is always followed by an intensive debate.

The Central Europe Program in cooperation with the chairman of the group prepares the group’s meetings. Please contact the Central Europe Program if you wish to join the group.

Discussion Group Islam and Politics

Chairman: Wolfgang Gerhardt,
Prof. Dr. Joachim Krause, Director of the Institute for Political Science/University Kiel
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider, Otto Wolff-Director of the DGAP research institute

The Institute for Security Policy at the University Kiel and the DGAP’s research institute jointly established this task force in 2005, as a forum for political conversation with Muslims. The members are representatives of Muslim organizations in Germany, politicians, clerks, journalists, experts from Germany as well as representatives from foreign medias. Topics include questions about the integration of Muslims in European societies as well as questions about securing and building peace and democracy in the Middle East.

Discussion Group "Faces of Russia"

Chairman: Alexander Rahr
Academic Advisor: Stefan Meister

Six times a year breakfast discussion on industrial, energy, logistical and economic policy issues relevant to the Russian-EU relations, take place in the DGAP. Russian and German politicans and experts discuss about the foundations of the strategic partnership between Russia and the EU.

 

Task Forces

Task Force International Space Policy

Chairman: Jens Böhrnsen, Mayor of Bremen and President of the Senate
Academic Advisor: Svenja Sinjen

The Task Force International Space Policy constitutes the most important instrument of the DGAP, to follow the developments in German aerospace industries. The groups analyses continuously how the European and global developments affect Germany. In 2007 the work of the task force will focus on the stronger commitment to the aerospace industry by the German government.

Task Force Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Sensitive Technologies

Academic Advisor: Prof. Dr. Erwin Häckel

The Task Force Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Sensitive Technologies is organized by the DGAP´s research institute and the research center Jülich. More than 60 experts from politics, academia and the economy belong to this group. The main task is to monitor and analyze current and long-term problems of nuclear, chemical and biological proliferation. The target is to determine German interests and to explore the conditions for a substantial international regime to limit and control weapons of mass destruction.