Our Expedition

An odyssey for a just and democratic digital cosmos

Our Mission

We are committed to working pro bono for a just and democratic digital society. We envision a society founded on respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. We advocate inclusion and democratic participation on the level of multistakeholder digital governance. We believe that everyone can thrive and fulfill their potential anywhere in the world provided they have equal opportunities and on the basis of equal rights. We are citizens of the world.

Our Principles

Our principles guide us throughout our journey. They serve as a compass for turbulent times and help us sail back en route again.

Justice

We defend human rights and the rule of Law against governmental and corporate abuse. We stand for equality and equal opportunity.

Progress

Societal progress means shared prosperity for all. Societal progress means sustainable and environ-mentally responsible progress.

Democracy

Everybody shall have a voice and their voice must be heard. 
We stand for a democratic and broadly inclusive digital governance.

Innovation

Entrepreneurship sparks creativity and provides for economic growth. We believe in innovation that is ethical and socially beneficial.

Our Values

Our values define our culture. They determine how we pursue our principles and make an impact.
Imagination
We are on a quest for knowledge. We connect disparate ideas, sounds and images to dream a better world before unleashing our creativity to realize it.
Courage

We take on tough challenges. We defend our principles, cost what it may. We are not afraid of taking risks. We decide for ourselves and face the consequences.

Happiness
We flourish when all members of our crew feel that their personalities are accepted and equally respected. Their self-fulfillment is our own progress.

Our Patrons

Our Institute will ascend to the responsibility and ethos their names demand and deserve.
Aristotle
  • ‘No democracy can exist unless each of its citizens is as capable of outrage at injustice to another as he is of outrage at injustice to himself.’

    Aristotle, born in 384 BC, was a philosopher and polymath, whose influence extends throughout the centuries to the future. His birthplace was Stagira Halkidiki, close to the city of Thessaloniki. He attended Plato’s Academy in Athens and was the mentor of Alexander the Great. His overall contribution to science spans a significant number of disciplines including biology, physics, logic, ethics, theater, music and rhetoric. His comprehensive approach to life, his philosophy, laid the foundation and determined the progress of Western civilization. In his ‘Nicomachean Ethics’, Aristotle highlighted the importance of friendship. In his ‘Politics’, he describes the role that politics and the political community must play in bringing about the virtuous life in the citizenry.

Alexander von Humboldt
  • ‘By claiming the unity of the human race, we also resist any unpleasant assumption of higher and lower human races. […] All are equally destined for freedom.’

    Alexander von Humboldt was a polymath, a naturalist and a great explorer. His life journey started in Berlin in 1769. He travelled around the world and carried out numerous scientific expeditions. President Thomas Jefferson called him the most important scientist he ever met. The young Charles Darwin deeply admired him. The observations and measurements generated during his travels laid the foundation for a plethora of natural sciences including botanical geography, geomagnetic and meteorological monitoring. He was the first to have addressed and described human-induced climate change. His philosophical thinking introduced a holistic perception of the universe as one interacting entity. Together with his brother, Wilhelm, he influenced the education and civic engagement of world citizens. This quote stems from his work ‘Cosmos’, where he condemned racism and discrimination.


Our Code of Conduct

Our Institute takes academic ethics seriously. We are committed to high standards of integrity and academic independence. We embrace critical discourse at all stages of our work. We do not tolerate racism, discrimination and harassment. 

Diversity

We embrace diversity and are committed to defending it. We condemn discrimination and harassment and prohibit retaliation. Diveristy matters.

Integrity

We promote and maintain high standards of integrity and accountability in the conduct of academic research. Academic freedom is paramount.

Openness

 We establish an open platform for exchange with various stakeholders, while actively promoting dialogue between academia and civil society.

Independence

We preserve our independence. We carry out the activities undertaken in cooperation with third parties strictly on our own responsibility. We act pro bono.

Our Berlin

We are proudly seated in Berlin. 
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the seat of the federal government. The city survived two world wars and a cold one. It is here where draconian privacy laws are crafted and exported around the world. 

With over 250 technology companies, around 80 institutions and a strong student population, the city is a vibrant hub for innovation and one of the most dynamically evolving centres of the digital society. 

Berlin is a mosaic of colors, sounds and tastes. People from all over the world live and work here and make Berlin our Berlin. 
It is this diversity that we embrace and defend. At any cost.

Here, big walls fall, after all.
Share by: