Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
TRENDS Research and Advisory has launched a virtual office in the German capital Berlin to open new communication channels and build strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research centers and think tanks across Germany and Europe to advance global scientific research.
The launch of the office, along with the release of the German version of the Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index, took place during TRENDS' participation in the 76th edition of the Frankfurt International Book Fair. At its pavilion B36 in Hall 5.1 at Messe Frankfurt, TRENDS showcased hundreds of original and translated books, along with a wide range of specialised strategic research and studies.
TRENDS Research Medal
The pavilion welcomed a variety of diplomats, officials and visitors over five days, who praised the Center's research efforts and the diversity and richness of its scientific publications. His Excellency Ahmed Al-Attar, UAE Ambassador to Germany, commended TRENDS' global research initiatives and browsed the German version of the Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index. He was awarded the TRENDS Research Medal in recognition of his contributions to science and knowledge.
The pavilion was also visited by His Excellency Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, and His Excellency Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, both of whom praised the Center's research and knowledge disseminating activities.
Enhancing Knowledge Exchange
Regarding the inauguration of the TRENDS - Germany Virtual Office, Dr. Mohamed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, stated that the office aims to enhance scientific and knowledge exchange between researchers and specialists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for regional and international issues, based on diverse research insights and precise analyses of current crises.
Al-Ali mentioned that the TRENDS - Germany Office will support the Center’s active research presence the in European academic and intellectual fora by participating in conferences, organizing discussions, and holding dialogue sessions with officials from German and European think tanks. This active engagement, he added, significantly contributes to the Center’s global research and knowledge mission.
Cross-Border Knowledge
Dr. Mohamed Al-Ali highlighted that the virtual office in Berlin will also help expand the network of strategic partners through collaboration with leading German and European think tanks, universities and research institutions. It will also establish unique projects with these entities, focusing on joint research, scientific publishing, and sustainable training and development, which will foster purposeful research, innovation, and cross-border knowledge sharing.
He explained that the Berlin Office will play a pivotal role in supporting the Center’s intellectual and knowledge impact in Germany and Europe. This will be achieved through engaging with policymakers, thought leaders and the media on regional and international issues, aiming to reach a shared understanding of these crises and assess their current and future developments and impacts.
Muslim Brotherhood Power Index
The TRENDS - Germany Office initiated its research activities with releasing the German version of the Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index, the first of its kind globally. The index measures the Brotherhood’s influence across various levels and geographical regions worldwide.
Following the release, the TRENDS - Germany Office organized an extensive panel discussion to analyse the index’s findings. The event featured a distinguished group of academics, experts and researchers specialising in political Islam and international security, including Dr. Jassim Mohamad, Head of the European Center for Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany.
Fifty Countries Worldwide
Participants in the session emphasised that the Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index aims to assess the group’s influence using a combined approach of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, along with primary and secondary indicators capable of measuring the group's power and influence across 50 countries covering all continents.
They noted that the index addresses the growing need for early warning signals regarding current and future developments in the Brotherhood’s global influence. This will allow for more timely and appropriate policy responses to the group.
Speakers at the panel discussion also highlighted that the launch of the German version of the index is part of TRENDS’ ongoing efforts to combat the rhetoric of violence and hatred. It aims to inform German speakers about the Brotherhood’s ideology, which promotes chaos and division among communities and nations.
Expanding Partners’ Network
Regarding TRENDS’ participation in the Frankfurt International Book Fair, Rawda Al-Marzouqi, Director of Distribution and Exhibitions at TRENDS, confirmed that the Centre’s goal is to expand its network of strategic partnerships with European academic institutions, cultural organisations, and think tanks. This effort supports TRENDS’ mission of advancing scientific research both regionally and internationally and facilitating the exchange of diverse knowledge through in-depth studies that promote mutual understanding and constructive dialogue between peoples and cultures.
Al-Marzouqi added that TRENDS aims to engage in meaningful discussions with researchers, experts and specialists at the Frankfurt Book Fair on contemporary global issues, with the objective of finding sustainable solutions, particularly on matters related to international security and peace, climate change, technology, cybersecurity, economic, social and intellectual issues.
She noted that through its participation in book fairs worldwide, TRENDS seeks to inspire creativity and innovation in research and knowledge fields. It also aims to foster intellectual engagement among specialists to address current crises with precise scientific approaches and well-thought-out scenarios that anticipate their future developments.
