5th Kavala International Summer School
Geopolitics, Reconciliation and Good Neighborliness in the Eastern Mediterranean
Greece • Turkey • Cyprus
24 – 28 August 2026 | Kavala, Greece
A Program of Anatolia American University, the Foreign Affairs Institute, and Friedrich Schiller University
Building Trust Across Borders in the Eastern Mediterranean
A unique international forum where future leaders, scholars, diplomats, and professionals come together to foster dialogue, advance mutual understanding, and build trust across borders in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a period marked by geopolitical uncertainty, regional tensions, and complex global challenges, the need for constructive dialogue and meaningful cooperation has never been greater.
The 5th Kavala International Summer School brings together students, researchers, academics, diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, and emerging professionals for an intensive week of learning, exchange, and engagement focused on some of the most pressing issues shaping the Eastern Mediterranean today.
The 2026 edition explores the interconnected themes of tolerance, geopolitics, and good neighbourliness, examining how diplomacy, international cooperation, and mutual understanding can contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable regional partnerships across Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and beyond.
Combining academic excellence with practical policy engagement, participants will interact directly with distinguished scholars, diplomats, and practitioners through lectures, workshops, roundtables, and policy discussions designed to connect ideas with real-world challenges.
More than a summer program, the Kavala International Summer School serves as a platform for dialogue across disciplines, professions, and national borders—encouraging new perspectives, fostering lasting networks, and strengthening the foundations of regional cooperation.
Why Attend?
- Learn from Leading Experts
Engage with distinguished academics, diplomats, policymakers, and practitioners with extensive experience in international affairs, diplomacy, regional cooperation, and public policy.
- Explore the Challenges Shaping the Region
Examine contemporary issues affecting the Eastern Mediterranean, including regional security, international law, interstate relations, conflict resolution, and multilateral diplomacy.
- Connect Theory with Practice
Develop practical insights through interactive discussions, case studies, and policy-oriented workshops that bridge academic knowledge and professional experience.
- Join an International Network
Become part of a diverse community of participants from different countries and professional backgrounds who share a commitment to dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
Program
*All lectures, discussions, workshops, and course materials will be conducted in English.
| Date | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, 23 August 2026 | Arrival | Hotel check-in |
| 18:00 | Orientation Meeting | |
| Monday, 24 August 2026 | 09:30 | Registration |
| 10:00 | Opening Session and Greetings | |
| 10:30–12:00 | Keynote Lecture I (Eastern Europe Focus) | |
| 12:00–12:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 12:30–14:00 | Keynote Lecture II (Wider MENA Region Focus) | |
| 14:00 | Lunch | |
| Tuesday, 25 August 2026 | 09:00–10:30 | Resilient Coexistence in Times of Conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East – Dr. Michalis Sarlis |
| 10:30–12:00 | Greece as a Pivotal Middle Power and Soft-Power Anchor in the Eastern Mediterranean – Dr. Tina Mavrikos (Anatolia American University) | |
| 12:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 12:00–13:30 | Inventing Mechanisms of Peace and Security in the Eastern Mediterranean: Prospects and Challenges – Dr. Pavlos Koktsidis (Anatolia American University) | |
| 13:30 | Lunch | |
| 14:30–15:30 | Participants’ Wrap-Up Meeting | |
| Wednesday, 26 August 2026 | 09:00–10:30 | The Evolving Role of the Great Powers in Eastern Mediterranean Geopolitics – Dr. Christos Aliprantis (Anatolia American University) |
| 10:30–12:00 | Women’s Role in Peacebuilding (Presentation and Interactive Activity) – Dr. Maria Kyriakidou (Anatolia American University) | |
| 12:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 12:00–13:30 | Discourses of Othering: Enemification, Humanisation and Rapprochement – Prof. Ioannis E. Saridakis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) | |
| 13:30 | Lunch | |
| 14:30–15:30 | Participants’ Wrap-Up Meeting | |
| Thursday, 27 August 2026 | 10:00–11:30 | The Future of Islam and Muslims in Europe: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives – Dr. Konstantinos Gogos (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) |
| 11:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 12:00–13:30 | Tracks of Diplomacy for Regional Reconciliation: Second Track Diplomacy and People-to-People Channels of Dialogue – Prof. Zuhal Mert-Uzuner (Marmara University) | |
| 13:30 | Lunch | |
| 14:30–16:00 | Best Paper Award, Kavala Declaration and Announcement of the 6th Kavala International Summer School (2027) | |
| 15:00–18:00 | Parallel Public Event in Greek (Compact KISS Programme) | |
| 20:00 | Transfer to Moustheni Village and Official Dinner at To Bostani (by invitation) |
Who Should Apply?
The program welcomes applications from:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Doctoral candidates and researchers
- Faculty members and academics
The Summer School also invites participation from professionals and practitioners, including:
- Diplomats and civil servants
- Professionals from the public and private sectors
- Civil society practitioners
Participation Fees
|
Category |
Fee |
|
Students |
€120 |
|
Faculty Members (Universities & Research Institutes) |
€220 |
|
Corporate sector participants are kindly invited to contact the organizers for information regarding participation fees and available registration options. |
|
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available covering participation fees, accommodation, and transport from and to surrounding areas, based on academic merit and motivation.
Consideration for scholarship will take place on a rolling basis.
Scholarship recipients are expected to deliver an essay of up to 2000 words by the end of the Summer School on a topic of their choosing related to the Summer School’s themes. The best essay will be considered for publication in the Policy Journal published by the Foreign Affairs Institute.
What is not included
Please note that lunch and dinner are not included in the scholarship package and remain the responsibility of participants throughout the Summer School.
Application
Ready to join the 5th Kavala International Summer School?
Complete the application form below to express your interest in participating in this unique international forum on geopolitics, reconciliation, and regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
Program Dates: 24–28 August 2026
Early bird discount (valid until 20 July): €20 off for both students and faculty members.
Early applications are encouraged, particularly for those wishing to be considered for scholarship support.
APPLY HERE
The Kavala Experience
Located at the crossroads of Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean, Kavala offers a unique setting for meaningful conversations about coexistence, diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
Beyond the academic program, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, build lasting professional connections, and become part of a growing international network dedicated to advancing dialogue and building trust across borders.
Click here to discover all that Kavala has to offer.
Join Us in Kavala
Whether you are pursuing a career in academia, diplomacy, public service, international organisations, civil society, or the private sector, the Kavala International Summer School offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of one of the world's most dynamic regions while developing the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to contribute to a more cooperative future.
