The Institute for Western Affairs boasts a rich and well-established research tradition, which may be captured in the slogan: Poland – Germany – Europe.
The Institute engages in the research on international relations in Europe, with a special focus on Germany and Polish – German relations.
The Institute’s research projects revolve around the following themes:
●Contemporary German history
● Processes of political, economic, social and cultural change in Germany
● International role of Germany, including Polish – German relations
● World War II and occupation 1939-1945
● Social and cultural change in the Polish Western and Northern Territories
● Development of the European Union
● European Union in international relations (including transatlantic cooperation)
The institute combines basic research with providing practically oriented expert services; it is also engaged in a range of initiatives focused on broadly conceived political education. The Institute’s research activities are characterized by an interdisciplinary and multidimensional approach. A strong emphasis has always been put on the need for the research to be policy-oriented.
The Institute has also been an active organizer as well as participant of a number of international research projects, symposia and conferences concerned with exploring key European questions. The Institute continuously cooperates with numerous universities and other academic research centres.