(Critical) Geopolitics, sustainability, and “global” spaces: Bringing together concepts and insights from research on outer space, the polar regions and the “Global South”

Event Type
Informal expert workshop

Location / Date
Bonn, 12.11.2024

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Academy of International Affairs NRW (AIA)

The aim of this workshop is to explore ongoing geopoliticization as a (renewed) trend shaping global development across policy fields. The trend we call geopoliticization refers to the process by which considerations of space and the use of space are prioritised in policy-making in and across policy fields such as development cooperation and environmental policy. We observe an increasing dominance of geopolitical interests over global cooperation processes, where policy-making is dominated by geopolitical considerations, but where policy-making is also a tool for shaping geopolitical struggles. This workshop seeks to facilitate a frank and open exchange between researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds and expertise in research areas affected by geopoliticization. 
To advance the peaceful and cooperative transnational use of spaces, we want to understand better how geopolitical considerations shape policy-making, institutional approaches and relationships among actors. By bringing together experts focusing on different regions, we seek to compare the effects of geopoliticization on policy-making and cooperation and to understand how related dynamics play out similarly or differently. The workshop focuses on two main questions: Why are established cooperation formats under pressure and to what extend are the causes framed in geopolitical terms? How are partnerships geopoliticized and to what extend have power relations changed? This explorative workshop is not oriented towards concrete outputs. By bringing together researchers from different fields, it shall inspire new research ideas and networking.

Hinweis

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