30. January 2025
The Advisory Board welcomes its new Co-Chairs Dr Julia Leininger and Bodo von Borries
With their wide-ranging expertise from conflict research and democratisation to practical peace work, they will play a leading role in shaping the direction and work of the Advisory Board and strengthen Germany’s international commitment to peace both strategically and practically as part of the advice provided to the Federal Government.
PD Dr Julia Leininger is head of the ‘Transformation of Political (Dis)Order’ department at the IDOS (Institute of Development and Sustainability, formerly the German Development Institute, DIE) in Bonn. Her research and consultancy work focusses on long-term socio-political change as an important component of crisis prevention and peacebuilding. Democratic development, social cohesion and political futures are at the centre of her interests. With regard to her research focus and the relevance of comprehensive, preventative approaches, she emphasises:
“Preventing tomorrow’s wars and threats such as autocratization through socio-political change is just as important as civil and military engagement against actual wars.”
Further information on Julia Leininger, her expertise and her CV can be found here.
Bodo von Borries heads the ‘Humanitarian Aid, Peace and Participation of All’ department at VENRO, the German umbrella organisation of development and humanitarian non-governmental organisations with currently 148 members. Bodo von Borries is a political scientist. He previously held the role of Co-Chair of the Advisory Board from 2018 to 2022. As part of his reappointment and with a view to the future of Civilian Crisis Prevention, he clarifies:
“Serving peace in the world – this mandate of the German constitution is more relevant than ever. An honest review of the existing instruments is necessary. It will not succeed without additional investment in civilian capabilities.”
Further information on Bodo von Borries, his expertise and his CV can be found here.
The Advisory Board is delighted to welcome Dr Leininger and Mr von Borries in their roles. Its members look forward trustingly to the upcoming cooperation at a time when the relevance of sustainable and effective Civilian Crisis Prevention is all the more underpinned by geopolitical tensions and complex crises. The Civilian Crisis Prevention departmental group convened together with the Advisory Board and welcomed the new co-chair to his office. The departments reaffirmed their motivation for continued cooperation.