The Institute

Based on a Christian vision of the human being and on human rights, the aim of the institute is to contribute in the academic field to the alleviation of poverty and to more justice in a globalized world.

To achieve this, the institute researches and teaches interdisciplinarily at the intersection of philosophy and the social sciences. Particular importance is given to ethically and practically relevant questions. The work focuses on three thematic areas: (I) Political philosophy in a global context; (II) World economy, justice and sustainable use of resources; (III) Religions, cultures and socio-cultural analysis. Development policy and the regions Africa and South East Asia are central focal points of all three thematic areas. The work of the institute aims at a practice orientated dialogue with Church, politics, economy and civil society and supplying reliable  and relevant knowledge.