François Bitouzet, managing director of the Paris-based startup conference VivaTech, is calling for a new understanding of innovation in Africa. He says it differs significantly from the European approach – and that Europe could learn from it.
By François Bitouzet
Rising oil prices don’t just affect the global economy – they exacerbate instability in regions already plagued by crisis and play a decisive role in determining whether humanitarian aid reaches children in need at all, writes the executive director of Save the Children.
By Florian Westphal
Security cannot be defined solely in military terms, says former German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. According to her, development policy is an important component of security. She calls for a firm stance against attempts to discredit development cooperation.
By Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
The Sudan Conference was a success for Germany, says Niddal Salah-Eldin, a member of UNICEF Germany’s national committee. At the same time, that success creates clear expectations that Germany should act as an impartial mediator. One sore point, however, remains.
By Niddal Salah-Eldin
Never before have international development funds been cut as drastically as they are now. While it is true that we must be careful about how we spend money, much of what falls under the category of development aid is also a sound investment for the donors, says Philipp Rotmann, a security expert and director of the Global Public Policy Institute.
By Philipp Rotmann
After nearly 30 years, the WTO’s tariff moratorium on e-commerce has expired. This is good news for countries in the Global South, according to digital trade experts Africa Kiiza and Sven Hilbig. However, African governments must make wise use of this opportunity.
By Africa Kiiza and Sven Hilbig
On the occasion of the Sudan donor conference that will take place in Berlin in mid-April, the children’s rights organization Plan International has called for aid for survivors of sexual violence to be fully funded. At least 5% of all humanitarian funding for Sudan and for refugee assistance in the region should be allocated to measures aimed at combating gender-based violence.
By Petra Berner
To remain capable of acting in the current global political landscape, Africa’s economies must present a united front, according to economists Lukas Kornher and Frederik Stender of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS). In their op-ed, they argue that this could be achieved by strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) along European lines.
By Lukas Kornher and Frederik Stender
Management consultant Stefan Liebing believes that the German federal government’s initiatives to ensure the security of raw materials are largely inadequate for achieving this goal. He is calling for a new division of responsibilities between the government and the private sector in raw materials policy.
By Stefan Liebing
Last week, German Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) promoted economic cooperation in South Africa. His trip sent an important signal, writes Per Brodersen, managing director of the German Agribusiness Alliance, who took part as a business representative.
By Per Brodersen
