When: Friday, 27 February 2026
Where: Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies
The Diplomatic Academy Students' Initiative Conference (DASICON) is an annual international conference fully organised by current students of the Vienna School of International Studies. Addressed to the general public, it offers a platform for international experts, students, and key stakeholders to engage in timely and critical discussions on the future of diplomacy and global governance.
The 2026 edition, titled "Beyond Order: Diplomacy in an Age of Systemic Transformation," departs from the premise that the current world order is undergoing a profound transformation. Drawing inspiration from structural theories of historical change, such as Peter Turchin’s cliodynamic model in End Times, the conference does not ask whether the international system will change, but rather how.
Are we headed toward collapse, a chaotic reordering of power, or a new era of cooperation and institutional renewal? What role can diplomacy play when the path forward is unclear, and the assumptions underpinning international relations begin to erode?
Through high-level panels and interactive formats, DASICON 2026 will examine the disruptive forces shaping our time — from elite fragmentation and inequality to climate shocks and technological upheaval — and explore how diplomacy can adapt to navigate this age of uncertainty.
For more informartion see the draft programme.
Registration will open in due course at www.da-vienna.ac.at/Events.