The Complex Systems Network of Excellence (EXYSTENCE) , is funded by the European Commission to develop collaboration among European researchers interested in Complex Systems, from fundamental concepts to applications, and involving academia, business and industry. The scientific activities of EXYSTENCE include Thematic Institutes (TI) and Topical Workshops (TW). In TI's, a number of invited scientists work together for an extended period of time, i.e. they are expected to stay in residence for a minimum of three weeks continuous period.

The TI "From Many-Particle Physics to Multi-Agent Systems" takes place at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPIPKS) in Germany, Dresden from July, 19 to September, 17, 2004. It aims at a transfer of methods developed primarily in statistical physics to deal with many-particle systems in other scientific areas, such as biology, artificial intelligence, or social sciences.

The TI is accompanied by two additional TWs, which concentrate on particular aspects of many-particle and multi-agent systems in the non-animated and the animated world. These workshops shall attract further participants from other areas to interact with the participants of the TI.