Mission and objectives

The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) is an independent, autonomous, not-for-profit think-tank working for a more robust interaction and raising awareness on major developments between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Primarily created with a focus on the South-East Asian dynamics in international affairs, the Institute is currently expanding its scope to address Foreign Affairs evolutions and Area Studies in Asia, as well as Middle East and North Africa.

The Institute is currently undertaking 7 major programmes, as it follows:

1. IRSEA Distinguished Speakers: Dedicated to IRSEA’s goal of promoting a more robust interaction between Europe and Asia and fostering reciprocal understanding, the Institute offers its members and followers the chance to listen to some of the world’s greatest minds discussing how the Europe-Asia interplay is being reshaped by the 21st century. 2. IRSEA Roundtable to bring together policy makers, scholars, junior and senior professionals as well as private entities crowdsourcing recommendations on policy areas and practical outcomes.

3. IRSEA Diplomatic Training Programme, aiming to facilitate the Europe-Asia interaction and creating the premises for a meaningful dialogue, IRSEA has organised multiple Diplomatic Training sessions since 2009. 4.FOCUS Europe, a programme addresses key political, economic and social developments related to the Europe and the interplay between Europe and Asia. 5. FOCUS Asia to contribute to a robust interaction between Europe and Asia by creating original research and round-tables and by hosting events, in partnership with institutions and experts in the area. 6. FOCUS ASEAN: Built on a think-tank system, IRSEA’s aim is to bring its contribution for promoting the values of Europe in ASEAN and those of ASEAN in Europe, being a strong believer in the reciprocal benefits of a consolidated relation between the two continents. 7. FOCUS Middle East and Northern Africa, to undertake research, organise and participate in events and round-table discussions centered on key political, economic and social developments related to the region, while paying a particular attention to the role of the Middle East in the Europe-Asia interplay.