TRENDS Research & Advisory is launching a new European research tour from October 13–19, covering Italy, Vatican City, and Germany. The tour aims to strengthen academic and intellectual engagement, build sustainable strategic partnerships, support research and academic communication, deepen interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and showcase TRENDS’ latest publications, research, training, and advisory services.

TRENDS will begin its research tour in Italy, launching its virtual office in Rome, the capital. The initiative aims to establish new communication channels and foster partnerships with Italian and European academic institutions, research centers, and think tanks, in support of global research initiatives.

Building Bridges Across Faiths

To strengthen communication and intellectual interaction, and to leverage the role of the TRENDS Rome Office, TRENDS will organize a symposium – Peace and Tolerance in a Turbulent World: Building Bridges between Religions and the Role of Dialogue – at the Library of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome.

The tour includes discussions on potential areas of cooperation and research partnerships with the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (Ce.S.I.), in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) and a memorandum of cooperation with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies. The itinerary also includes an educational tour of the Vatican City.

Promote Knowledge Exchange

The second stop of the TRENDS research tour to Europe will feature a symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Security in Germany. It will participate as a guest of honor at a major event held by the Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area (GIG). The tour will include a series of meetings and scientific discussions with officials from academic and research institutions, as well as specialized institutes in Germany. The aim is to enhance cooperation in various fields – research, knowledge, and intellectual exchange – that support the dissemination of a culture of research.

TRENDS will also participate, through its virtual office in Germany, for the fifth consecutive year, in the Frankfurt International Book Fair 2025. At its dedicated pavilion (B37, Hall 5.1), it will showcase over 450 diverse research publications from October 15 to 19, 2025. The event will also promote knowledge exchange and foster strategic relationships with European academic and cultural institutions and think tanks, while showcasing its various services, including qualification programs for young researchers, opinion polls, training courses, and specialized research consultations.

Establishing Strategic Partnerships

Dr. Mohamed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stated that the extensive research and knowledge tour of several key European capitals falls within the framework of its strategy to strengthen channels of communication and foster intellectual interaction with academic elites, leading think tanks, and research centers across Europe. He added that the tour seeks to establish qualitative strategic partnerships, exchange research expertise, and discuss current regional and international issues, to enhance mutual understanding and present in-depth analytical insights that contribute to addressing common challenges.

He pointed out that the tour includes the opening of a virtual office in Rome, which will work to build knowledge bridges and promote constructive dialogue with various Italian think tanks and academic institutions. Furthermore, it will include the signing of memoranda of understanding and the exploration of areas of cooperation with several research institutes and centers, to support international collaboration and intellectual interaction based on mutual respect.

Joint Research Initiatives

The CEO of TRENDS explained that the tour focuses on Italy, the Vatican, and Germany, due to their intellectual, political, and religious influence on the European and global scene. From Rome, the center draws inspiration to promote civilizational and cultural dialogue. From the Vatican, we deepen our understanding of the role of religions in building peace, coexistence, and tolerance. From Berlin, we gain a deeper understanding of the German approach to addressing international issues.

He also explained that these upcoming meetings will lead to the launch of joint research initiatives and the organization of a series of events, including joint workshops, discussion panels, and conferences, which will bring together academics, experts, and specialists to provide a deep and shared understanding of several current global developments.