The aim of FIW is to improve the framework conditions for theoretical and empirical economic research and economic policy advice in the field of international economics. Another goal is the bundling of cross-institutional research strengths and the international positioning of the FIW as a networking platform for the social and economic challenges in the field of globalisation and world trade. In addition, the awareness of the Austrian public for foreign trade issues is to be raised and the transfer of existing expert knowledge to the interested public is to be ensured. This is of essential economic interest, especially for Austria, whose economy depends to a considerable extent on foreign trade relations. Value creation and employment depend significantly on foreign trade. A broad public communication of the essential connections between foreign trade, internationalisation, globalisation and domestic development is therefore an important task of university institutions. FIW assumes an important bridging and transfer function from science to “practice”.