Multi-track Diplomacy in the Wider Mediterranean

ongoing

"The European Union (EU) considers a strengthened Mediterranean partnership as an urgent imperative for Europe and identifies the New Pact on the Mediterranean as a key instrument. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Multi-track Diplomacy in the Wider Mediterranean (DIPLOWideMed) responds to this strategic policy need by establishing a transnational hub of excellence for research, teaching, and knowledge innovation on strategic and human security, grassroots level diplomacy, and cooperation. Based at the University of Catania —a pivotal academic institution at the heart of the wider Mediterranean—DIPLOWideMed aspires to be a leading incubator of ideas, fostering new perspectives on EU engagement in the area. The CoE mission is threefold: 1. To rethink the nature of security in the Mediterranean, bridging strategic and human security. 2. To transform research into actionable knowledge, fostering cooperation among Mediterranean scholars, expanding EU studies and enhancing professional competences. 3. To develop pioneering methodologies, integrating interdisciplinary research, @ and AI tools to generate new insights. Multi-track diplomacy is an inclusive framework engaging different actors and sectors of society. As a knowledge and dissemination hub, the CoE bridges academia, policy and practices, offering innovative active-learning and research-based teaching. Sample key outputs are: • The DIPLOWideMed Crash Course providing professional training to students and researchers. • Peace Games and Migration Diplomacy Lab, simulation and role-play teaching tools. • The Observatory on Peace & Conflicts, a data-driven platform mapping security challenges and cooperation in the region. • Engaging outreach tools, #DIPLOMedPills, #MedPolNews, #MyMediterraneanStory, EmpowerMed, etc. DIPLOWideMed builds a community of scholars, decision-makers and practitioners. It serves as a strategic Mediterranean hub, reinforcing European values, exchange, and policy innovation. "