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In January 2004, the Irmgard Coninx Foundation in collaboration with the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) and the Humboldt-University Berlin held the first Berlin Roundtables on Transnationality on the topic of "Transnational Risks - A New Challenge for a Global Civil Society".

Transnationality
The term transnationality describes the growing gap between global societal processes and nationally structured conditions. Most obvious in the field of economy, the making of profits, the transfer of capital and the regulation of the activities of transnational corporations are no longer controlled by national guidelines and interventions of nation state authorities. With the buzzword globalization this process has entered everyday language. While there is wide consensus on the description of the phenomenon, interpretation and judgement turns out to be more than controversial. The unlimited flow of capital, for example, serves as a universal sociological model for the supporters of globalization, whereas critics interpret the same phenomenon as a new stage of a totally unleashed capitalism that threatens nature and mankind alike.

Risks
By organizing the Berlin Roundtables on Transnationality on Transnational Risks, the Irmgard Coninx Foundation intends to initiate a controversial debate beyond the oversimplifying dichotomy of pro- and anti-globalization. The concept of risk increasingly dominates public debates about national and international politics and society. Risks carry dangers and opportunities that shape the way politicians, corporations and NGOs function. Regulation and prevention of risk have taken precedence over modes of conduct and organization traditionally applied by nation States.

Humanitarian Intervention
Dealing with transnational risks has determined the way the media report on the ever changing hotspots of humanitarian crisis. Transnational risks have shaped politicians’ views and approaches towards crisis intervention as a means of international diplomacy with considerable public effect. It has also determined the strategies of big NGOs as part of a non-profit based but highly prestigious “humanitarian industry”.

In December 2004, these topics have been addressed at the Second Berlin Roundtables on Transnationality within an international workshop on “Humanitarian Intervention and Global Citizenship”.

Humanitarian Intervention and Global Citizenship: Science, Media, Politics
Second Berlin Roundtables on Transnationality, 5 - 8 December 2004

Transnational Risks: A New Challenge for a Global Civil Society
First Berlin Roundtables on Transnationality, 3 - 9 January 2004