Germany’s coalition partners in the future government discuss to invest in relations with the Global South and build networks. Against this backdrop, IDOS researchers Dr Sven Grimm and Dr Johanna Vogel share their perspective: Without partners, we fail our future. Germany’s future is tied to strong partnerships, including with the Global South. For our own good, not least so as a trading nation with limited resources, the knowledge cooperation experts argue in this joint statement.
Good intentions or debates around a narrowly understood national interest will not solve global challenges. Addressing global challenges is also in the German national interest. We need partners to engage on mitigating climate change and to trade with for mutual benefit, which is the basis of our wealth. By the way: Climate change and social inequalities are among the driving forces of migration.
The German Government, through BMZ, has started already almost 20 years ago to invest in global partnerships and built strong relations with then so-called regional anchor countries, namely Brazil, China, the EU, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries, as an IDOS study argued then, are key players in their region and core partners for global cooperation. From a German perspective, they might sometimes be difficult partners, but 20 years later, we know that these countries are needed in an increasingly uncertain and multipolar world. Of course, the EU needs to be core in our agenda. Additionally, in a multipolar world, we need to think bigger and engage in different world regions as Europeans.
And the results speak for themselves: one former Brazilian participant of the Managing Global Governance Academy applied the insights gained to the international Climate Scanner Initiative. With his contribution, the project was expanded to include countries from the Global South – making the initiative more inclusive, innovative and sustainably effective. This is a clear added value – also for Germany, which benefits from improved global climate data and innovative governance approaches. By accessing global climate data and governance actions, policymakers, researchers, and businesses can adapt and refine domestic climate strategies. Insights from diverse models can inspire new approaches to climate.
Cutting back investment in global governance networks is not an option. Stronger networks mean a stronger Germany— which is ready to lead in global cooperation. Let’s keep building these global connections! They are in our interest!
You can also watch the statement as a video!
Dr. Sven Grimm is a Political Scientist and Head of the Department "Knowledge Cooperation & Training" at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) in Bonn.
Website: https://www.idos-research.de/en/sven-grimm/
E-mail: Sven.Grimm@idos-research.de
Dr. Johanna Vogel is an Expert in International Cultural Economy and Senior Researcher in the Department "Knowledge Cooperation & Training" at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) in Bonn.
Website: https://www.idos-research.de/en/johanna-vogel/
E-mail Johanna.Vogel@idos-research.de
IDW-Video
https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/sciencevideo/218
https://www.idos-research.de/en/research/networks/
https://www.idos-research.de/en/managing-global-governance/
https://mgg.network/page/change-stories
https://mgg.network/news/1824136
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