A new initiative introduces itself
This article was originally published in German. The English version is an automatic translation and may contain errors. The German original is authoritative.
Tensions in transatlantic relations, shadow fleets in the Baltic Sea region, Islamist terrorism and Russia's war against Ukraine – currently the international situation is characterised by profound upheavals. These developments certainly concern not only us, but also many of you. That is why we have founded the Initiative for Foreign and Security Policy Würzburg (IASW).
Who we are
With great pleasure we would like to introduce our new initiative at Universität Würzburg to you. At the beginning of the year we created a forum for exchange, discussion and engagement around foreign and security policy topics and have made it our task to bring together interested students. Our goal is to better understand current global challenges and to discuss solutions together.
In the long term, we aim to become a university group of the Federal Association for Security Policy at Universities (BSH). The BSH promotes scientific dialogue by examining security from multiple perspectives. As part of this network, we as students gain access to exciting lectures, seminars, conversations with key actors and security policy foundation academies, amongst other things.
Currently we meet every two weeks on Thursdays at 5 p.m. – online or in person – to plan events for the summer semester 2025. In future we will also offer thematic sessions. One series already planned is, for example, "States in Focus of International Security". In this series, individual countries, their security policy interests and their significance in the global context will be presented in short keynote speeches and then discussed together.
Whether you are already intensively engaged with foreign and security policy or are simply curious – you are warmly welcome with us! We look forward to the exchange and to getting to know you. If you are interested, please write to us on Instagram or by email at IASW@mail.de.
We cordially invite you to our regular table series
Our regular table series will begin soon. It offers the opportunity to engage with many topics around Europe's security. In relaxed conversations you can share your opinions and knowledge and of course also get to know us as an initiative better. Come along, we look forward to seeing you!
The regular tables will take place on the following dates:
🗓️ Thu., 24.04. from 7:00 p.m.
Topic: NATO's status quo: Europe between transatlantic partnership and independence
🗓️ Wed., 07.05. from 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Hybrid threats: How does Germany protect itself against cyber attacks, lone-wolf terrorists and propaganda on social media?
🗓️ Thu., 22.05. from 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Europe's security architecture: What opportunities does an EU army or a nuclear umbrella bring?
📍Location: Standard, Oberthürstraße 11a
Written by: Nele Jahrsdörfer, Pauline Grammer