Stiftung Mercator has awarded the Dahrendorf Forum 2.34 million euros to fund a new research phase exploring the future of Europe in an era of uncertainty.
Berlin, 25 April 2017 - Stiftung Mercator has awarded the Dahrendorf Forum 2.34 million euros to fund a new research phase exploring the future of Europe in an era of uncertainty. The project will consider Europe’s strategic options for facing Brexit, the migration crisis, the rise of populism across the Continent, election trends and other future challenges.
Starting its research cycle in September 2017, the new phase of the Dahrendorf Forum will build on its existing network and reputation to produce new research and engage policymakers across Europe in a constructive discussion about Europe’s future in uncertain times. Four post-doctoral and three research associate positions will be funded for the next round.
The Academic Co-Directors of the Dahrendorf Forum, Helmut Anheier, President of the Hertie School, and Prof. Iain Begg of the LSE European Institute and LSE IDEAS Associate said: “The current turbulent political environment – including Brexit, Trumpism and the lingering migration crisis challenge many of the assumptions, frameworks, policies and practices of national, European and international governance. While many of the implications remain unclear, there is manifestly a need for discussion and debate to explore what the changing domestic policies and geopolitics mean for Europe’s future. The Dahrendorf Forum is committed to engage in this debate and to contribute to it in ways that point to solutions and suggest options on how to address current challenges. We very much thank Stiftung Mercator for making this initiative possible."
Executive Director of Stiftung Mercator Dr. Wolfgang Rohe added: "The Dahrendorf Forum stands not only for excellent research on the future of Europe but also for the dialogue between science and humanities and politics. In the light of the manifold challenges facing Europe, we support this project to strengthen Europe’s ability to act, one of the central goals of our foundation." The Dahrendorf Forum is a joint initiative between the Hertie School and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), hosted by the Hertie School in Berlin and the LSE’s foreign policy think tank LSE IDEAS in London. It is led by experienced researchers from the Hertie School, LSE’s European Institute and LSE IDEAS. The Dahrendorf Forum honours the legacy of the late politician and social scientist Lord Ralf Dahrendorf. Stiftung Mercator has underlined its commitment to this long-standing partnership, first established in 2010 - a particularly significant step at a time when cooperation is urgently needed.
The Dahrendorf Forum has previously addressed different aspects of the European project. The fourth ‘cycle’ will have two working groups; one located in London looking at the future of European governance (Chairs: Kevin Featherstone, Iain Begg of the London School of Economics and Political Science) and the other in Berlin examining Europe’s societal change and politics (Chairs: Helmut K. Anheier, Andrea Römmele of the Hertie School).
The Hertie School is a private university based in Berlin, accredited by the State and the German Science Council. Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented teaching, first-class research and an extensive international network set the Hertie School apart and position it as an ambassador of good governance, characterised by public debate and engagement. The School was founded at the end of 2003 as a project of the Hertie Foundation, which remains its major partner.