Vienna School Initiatives
Our mission
From the very beginning, we have been able to gain the support of renowned individuals and organizations for our non-profit projects, including:
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The Austrian Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer
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The former Ambassador Dr. Ernst Sucharipa
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The late Prof. Roger Fisher (Harvard University)
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The Austrian Foreign Ministry and the Austrian Development Agency
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The German Foreign Office
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Berghof Foundation for Conflict Transformation
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The City of Vienna
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The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
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USAID, ...
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Various corporate partners
It's the process - professional facilitation support in negotiations, emotional conflict and complex cooperation
The Vienna Congress, Viennese Modernism, Viennese Actionism — the Vienna School of Negotiation sees itself rooted in these traditions with the integration of various academic disciplines, and the exploration of new paths.
The purpose of the Vienna School of Negotiation is to offer facilitation support and bring expert advise to specific challenges, and to promote academic dialogue on negotiation, cooperation, and conflict in Europe.
This is particularly important when dealing with "wicked problems", where where the aim is to co-create a way forward, like an expedition; we are dedicated to strengthening various forms of peace-full cooperation.
Our work typically requires a long-term commitment that is not deterred by a standstill in official peace processes. All activities are carried out in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including representatives from academia, political decision-makers, business leaders, and the media. The inclusion of diverse political perspectives and the equal participation of women and men are among our core guiding principles.
As we develop and conduct "train-the-trainer" programs together with our local partners. This enables highly qualified local trainers to lead professional training sessions, thereby sustainably promoting culturally sensitive methods.
Young Negotiator Initiative
The Young Negotiator Initiative (YNI) was started by Sonja Rauschütz and invites interested young professionals to take their place at the negotiating table. Our explicit goals include expanding professional and personal skills in the areas of negotiation, communication, cooperation, conflict management, and leadership.
YNI combines Western and US-American traditions with the practices of professional Central European practice. It equips young people with the necessary methods, tools, and skills, such as the Harvard Concept , the Process Communication Model® , Leading out of Drama (LOD) , and much more, to actively shape our present and future.
If you are under 30 years old, interested in collaborative learning and professional insights into the world of negotiations that usually take place behind closed doors, become a YNI member at youngnegotiators@viennaschool.at.
A particular highlight is the annual event
5-day intensive Young Negotiator Academy (YNA)
at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Our strategic alliance partners include members of the Vienna School faculty, academic institutions, and innovative international business organizations. The next, and 9th, YNA will take place in Vienna from February 15 to 19, 2027.
Netzwerk Chance Demokratie
The "Chance Democracy" network actively strengthens our political culture and the resilience of democracy. As an alliance of politics, academia, and civil society, we create spaces for constructive dialogue and modern civic participation.
Our goal is to collectively address societal challenges and counteract authoritarian tendencies by promoting collective capabilities. We are firmly committed to democratic values and shaping a sustainable future for our society. Become part of an initiative that keeps democracy vibrant and actively shapes its future.
Vienna Negotiation Project
The "Chance Democracy" network actively strengthens our political culture and the resilience of democracy. As an alliance of politics, academia, and civil society, we create spaces for constructive dialogue and modern civic participation.
Our goal is to collectively address societal challenges and counteract authoritarian tendencies by promoting collective capabilities. We are firmly committed to democratic values and shaping a sustainable future for our society. Become part of an initiative that keeps democracy vibrant and actively shapes its future.
Israeli Palestinian Negotiating Partners
The Israeli Palestinian Negotiators Program (IPNP) was initiated by Moty Cristal and Sonja Rauschütz in close collaboration with Harvard Professor Roger Fisher, author of "Getting to Yes" and "Beyond Reason", and Dr. Landrum Bolling, a dedicated, high-ranking diplomat in the Middle East conflict.
IPNP is a network of Israeli and Palestinian people that promotes professional exchange in conflict management among those who directly and indirectly influence the formal peace negotiation process. IPNP is an academic forum and not a forum for actual negotiations.
Women Waging Peace
The Vienna School of Negotiation supports the initiative of Ambassador Swanee Hunt and promotes the active role of women at negotiating tables and the amplification of the diverse voices of all partners involved in peace processes and conflict management.
The integration of highly qualified professionals with an intercultural international background and the equal participation of women and men are two of our guiding principles.
Balkan Negotiating Partners
In 2004, Vienna CM Partners (now VS Initiatives) and CSSP began exchanging best practices, and from 2005 onwards, our team complemented the activities of Dr. Schwarz-Schilling's team in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia.
