Theme special

Disruption and Reform

In light of global crises and increasingly disruptive, authoritarian forms of politics, forward-looking, cooperative reforms are necessary to secure sustainable development, international cooperation and democratic foundations. In this web special you will find IDOS's work on the dynamics of our 2025/26 annual theme, ‘Disruption and Reform’.

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Dekorationselement
At IDOS, we aspire to co-shape a collaborative multipolar world for sustainable futures. We do so by conducting high-quality research, offering independent policy advice, and learning across borders and regions while seeking to align development and sustainability.
Stabilization and development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena)
Theme special

Stabilization and development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena)

This research and advisory initiative examines the question of what the changes mean for Germany's and Europe's dealings with the MENA countries.

Photo of a bridge in Freiburg with the blue and yellow inscription 'UKRAINE'.
Theme special

Russia's war against Ukraine

This special compiles contributions from the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) from various perspectives on the Russian war against Ukraine and its consequences. It will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Opinion pieces and media contributions

The Current Column

Pressure on civil society spaces

Gutheil, Lena / Jasmin Lorch

The questioning of the political neutrality of certain CSOs are increasingly being instrumentalised to delegitimise unwanted criticism.

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The Conservation

Trump’s tariffs have gutted Agoa’s duty‑free promise: our model shows how

Tim Vogel & Zoryana Olekseyuk

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) was introduced in 2000 as the cornerstone of US development-oriented trade policy towards sub-Saharan Africa. In February 2026, President Donald Trump signed a one-year extension after the programme lapsed in September 2025. Agoa technically lives on after a one-year extension. But its main advantage has largely disappeared since the US added tariffs on top of it, say Tim Vogel and Zoryana Olekseyuk.

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Events

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Current publications

Entwicklungszusammenarbeit

Keijzer, Niels / Julian Bergmann (2026)

Trump’s tariffs have gutted Agoa’s duty‑free promise: our model shows how

Vogel, Tim / Zoryana Olekseyuk (2026)

Towards a UN with Chinese characteristics? Heralding shifts in multilateral order

Foot, Rosemary / Sebastian Haug (2026)

Logo Instituto Affari Internazionali

How to build digital citizenship in the 21st century

Chiriatti, Alessia / Benjamin Stewart / Janis van der Westhuizen / Juliana Mansur (2026)

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IDOS-Newsletter February 2026

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