On 1 October 2024, Dr Bart Gaens joins the ICDS as the Japan Chair.
The mission of the Japan Chair is to contribute to a better understanding of the common challenges that Japan, the Baltic states, and Europe more broadly face in the highly contested geopolitical environment of the 21st century. The work of the Japan Chair focuses on conducting research and contributing to debates on the major challenges in the foreign, security, and defence policies of Japan. The Japan Chair participates in relevant networks in Estonia and abroad as well as develops contacts and cooperation with other experts in the field.
The position of Japan Chair is supported by the Government of Japan.
The ICDS launched the Japan Chair on 1 October 2023. The first Japan Chair in the Baltic region, Dr Elena Atanassova-Cornelis will continue as a non-resident research fellow at the ICDS. We are extremely grateful for her contribution to the launch of the Japan Chair and look forward to continued cooperation.
Dr Bart Gaens: biography