TRENDS Research & Advisory has concluded an intensive and successful three-day research tour in Belgium, organized through its Brussels office. The tour aimed to strengthen academic and research cooperation and to build strategic partnerships with leading European think tanks and academic institutions in the fields of future studies and public policymaking.

Strategic Meetings and Partnerships

The tour featured a series of high-level meetings with seven leading intellectual and academic institutions, where visions were exchanged on global strategic issues. At the European Institute of Peace (EIP), discussions with Mr. Jamie Pleydell-Bouverie centered on cooperation mechanisms and joint initiatives aimed at promoting peace and coexistence. At the Belgian Royal Higher Institute for Defence, researcher Didier Leroy and Colonel Éric Kalajzic engaged in dialogue on regional and international defense and security.

At the European Policy Centre (EPC), talks with Dr. Fabian Zuleeg explored opportunities for partnership in producing joint policy papers and studies that support decision-makers. Discussions with Dr. Rosa Balfour at Carnegie Europe explored ways to strengthen academic collaboration in the areas of global governance and public policy. Meanwhile, at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), talks focused on cooperation in economic and foresight studies, as well as the provision of specialized advisory services.

Research Cooperation Agreement

The tour also witnessed the signing of an MoU with The Policy Pulse, underscoring TRENDS’ commitment to strengthening its international presence. The MoU aims to build future partnerships in the fields of studies and policy, and to facilitate joint research on issues of common interest, encompassing social, political, and economic studies, as well as the exchange of experts and co-publications to advance and disseminate research knowledge to researchers and broader audiences.