"ENGLOBE (""Enlightenment and Global History"") is a projected network of researchers concerned with Europe’s role in the process of globalization. Its thematic aims are located in the newly emerging supra-disciplinary field of Global History which provides a highly useful mode of reflection on the cultural and historical dimension of globalization processes. The Enlightenment has a double significance within this field. It was the first moment in history when questions and problems arising out of globalization processes became an issue. Even more importantly, in view of recent debates on the so-called ""clash of civilizations"", Enlightenment issues have attained outstanding significance. The perspectives on Europe from outside are still inextricably linked to the Enlightenment. With its thematic aims, ENGLOBE addresses the strategic objective 8.4 ""Europe in the World"" in the FP7-Cooperation Work Programme. With respect to this scientific field, the Initial Training Network ENGLOBE bridges a specific gap in existing academic training programmes: (1.) In contrast to the USA where Global History has reached a high level of organizational consolidation ranging from high school to university level, the Global History approach is still in its infancy in Europe. (2.) ENGLOBE links together existing bi-national and multi-national doctoral students' training structures and at the same time expands, or ""englobes"", them in two directions: in direction of the extra-European regions of Asia, Africa and North and South America, in accordance with the thematic aims of the network; and in direction of the non-academic field of foreign cultural policy affairs, with the aim to broaden the doctoral students' career opportunities. Because of this gap, the network can be expected to attract the interest of a significant number of young scientists."