In October 2026, the Socrates Seminar will once again bring together an international group of participants for rigorous dialogue on questions of enduring importance.
The Socrates Seminar is one of Aspen Germany’s flagship leadership programs, grounded in the Socratic method and designed for leaders who seek more than quick answers. Through close reading and moderated dialogue, it creates space for deep reflection, intellectual honesty, and exchange across professional and national boundaries.
This year’s theme, “The Ethics of Cause and Conduct: Reflections on Contemporary Warfare,” places security and ethics at the center of the conversation. At a time when war and strategic rivalry shape political realities on both sides of the Atlantic, the seminar invites participants to grapple with fundamental questions: What justifies the use of force? Where are its moral limits? What responsibilities do leaders bear in moments of profound uncertainty?
Held in Erfurt and organized in partnership with the Aspen Institute Kyiv, the seminar offers a protected, high-level setting for open and candid exchange. It connects professionals from the military, civil society, public administration, and police communities, strengthening transatlantic ties while building trusted networks across sectors.
If you are working at the intersection of security, public service, and policy and are ready to engage in thoughtful, text-based dialogue, we warmly encourage you to apply. Further details, including exact dates and application information, will be announced soon.
