This year marks a special anniversary for the Institute of Federalism: not only is the Institute 40 years old, it is also the 30^th edition of our Summer University on Federalism, Decentralisation and Conflict Resolution.

Last Monday 12 August, the 30^th Summer University was inaugurated by Co-Director of the IFF, Eva Maria Belser, and the Academic Head of the International Center, Soeren Keil. As it often proves a laborious undertaking to get together a group of international academics and practitioners who are involved with our topics, we are very proud to welcome more than 40 participants from 13 different countries.

During three weeks of lectures, exercises and field trips with international experts and staff members, the participants will learn all about topics including federalism and decentralisation, multilevel governance, conflict resolution and power-sharing. They will also be immersed in several case studies on federal and decentralised states, such as India, Ethiopia, Spain, South Africa, and of course Switzerland.

We are greatly looking forward to the next weeks, where we will learn not only from the experts’ inputs, but also (and perhaps even more so) from each other. We wish all participants a very insightful and pleasant experience at our University of Fribourg.

We would like to thank all donors who allow us to continue our Summer University in turbulent global times!

Aargauer Stiftung | Centenary Research Fund, University of Fribourg | Confederation of Switzerland - Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation | EU Horizon Project LEGITIMULT, GA no. 101061550 | International Commission of the Faculty of Law, University of Fribourg | International Relations Office, University of Fribourg | SNF Scientific Events Support | Swiss Network for International Studies Project Power-Sharing for Peace? | Stiftung für schweizerisches Baurecht | Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs