The objective of the MSc “Religion, Geopolitics and International Security” is to study the relationship between religion and politics and its role in maintaining international security and peace. A key aspect is the effective management of human capital by religious, political, and military leaders in the changing international multi-religious and multi-cultural environment, specifically in the geopolitical reality of South Eastern Europe.

A unique feature of the MSc is its focus on understanding the significance of religious and cultural diversity in the context of human resource management and administration in socio-political environments where Islam dominates.

The interdisciplinary approach covers various areas of knowledge including Theology, Religion, Islam, Geopolitics, Society and Culture, State and Economy, International Security, International Organizations, Crisis Management, Leadership, Human Resource Management, and Decision Making.

The MSc aims to promote specialized knowledge, develop high quality research, provide specialized skills, and shape attitudes and perceptions in the specific scientific field, in accordance with international scientific standards and with respect for academic freedom and ethics.

Religion, as a global and multifactorial phenomenon, influences international relations in many ways; it is also multifaceted and thus becomes one of its most important variables. It is now generally accepted that the basic theories of international relations cannot provide a complete interpretation of international politics and what is happening in the contemporary international environment without taking into account the evolution and functioning of the religious phenomenon.

The MSc aims to produce high-level scholars and managers who are able to study, work, and lead effectively at both theoretical and practical levels in the wider field of the relationship of religion to geopolitics and security in the contemporary international and changing environment.

Emphasis will be placed on the study of the role of religion in the international arena, its interrelationship with geopolitics and the foreign policy of states, and the contribution of international religious organizations to conflict prevention and the building of peace and security, as well as the methodology of human resource management and the enhancement of administrative effectiveness in multicultural environments through the cultivation of intercultural communication and the modification of attitudes and stereotypical perceptions.

Graduates of our programme are prepared with the skills to objectively analyse current and varied religious, political, social and cultural landscapes. They possess the ability to identify religion as both a conduit for societal unity and a possible catalyst for disagreement and discord. Furthermore, an objective identification of the cultural, social, economic, political, and religious constituents that have historically influenced and currently influence the Arab countries and the Islamic world, can be both constructive and critical.

Precisely interpreting and addressing the contemporary cultural, political, and religious predicaments faced by the Arab world and the Middle Eastern population necessitates a comprehensive understanding of Islamic theology and history. Additionally, graduates develop skills and knowledge that promote harmonious coexistence with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

They understand the contribution of the Orthodox Church to the global geopolitical landscape and its role in promoting dialogue between Christianity and other religions. Finally, they understand the complex phenomenon of religious fundamentalism, distinguishing its cultural, historical, theological, and political origins.