Since its foundation (1997), the Maecenata Institute has focused on topics relating to aspects of the Islamic religion and societies shaped by Islam, such as intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as civil society aspects of the activities of Islamic organisations in Germany, for example in the fields of philanthropy and civic engagement. With the launch of the ‘Europa Bottom-Up’ programme (2011), the Institute expanded its focus to include Islamic culture and the Mediterranean region. Further planned projects by the Maecenata Foundation aim to further strengthen engagement with the MENA region and the Islamic world, in particular civil society, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, and the position of religious and ethnic minorities in Europe and the Middle East. Networking with other organisations to tap into their potential is an essential prerequisite for successful work and visibility in the political arena.
The MENA Study Centre is a small unit operating independently within the Maecenata Foundation. It was founded in February 2019 and supports the Foundation’s programmes and activities focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as the wider Islamic world, whilst contributing to intercultural dialogue through its own initiatives. The added value of the MENA Study Centre lies in its ability to respond spontaneously to current developments and to provide relevant academic analysis at short notice. Since its foundation, it has proved to be a valuable source of expertise for the Maecenata Foundation. The head of the MENA Study Centre was Prof. Dr Udo Steinbach.