Achieving sustainable solutions for global problems requires cooperation with countries in all world regions. However, the rapidly changing and complex world order is a major challenge for countries worldwide. Thus, German foreign policy is currently faced with challenges but also opportunities. Since the end of the Cold War, power constellations have shifted worldwide. States such as China, India and Brazil have developed into global powers. Some African states are on the economic rise whereas others are threatened by complete state failure. Movements such as the Islamic State ("IS") that display a new form of transnational terrorism are a new issue on the security policy agenda. In terms of climate policy, industrial states and emerging countries struggle for goals which allow for an ecologically compatible growth and a future for all societies.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has responded to these global dynamics with the comprehensive reform process "Review 2014". Citizens as well as experts from abroad have ex-pressed their expectations towards German foreign policy. The results of the review process indicate that German foreign policy needs to focus more on questions of global governance, sustainability and crisis prevention in the future.

In the lecture series, experts from politics and academia will analyze and discuss these recent developments and the new direction of German foreign policy as well as the challenges German foreign policy is facing. The lecture series is organized by the Coordination Unit "Sustainable Development in International Cooperation" of the University of Bonn and the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE).

The Coordination Unit "Sustainable Development in International Cooperation" of the University of Bonn is funded by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The goals of the Coordination Unit are to foster networks and synergies with stakeholders from Bonn and North Rhine-Westphalia in the field of sustainable development, to promote the topic of sustainable development in teaching and research at the University of Bonn, to pool and strengthen activities in the field of sustainable development at the University of Bonn and to support and coordinate cooperation with universities and research institutions in devel-oping and emerging countries.

The German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) is one of the leading think tanks for global development and international cooperation worldwide. It is located in the UN City of Bonn. DIE’s work is based on the interplay between research, policy advice and training. DIE is building bridges between theory and practice. Research at DIE is theory-based, empirically driven and application-oriented. It provides the basis for the consulting activities of the institute. DIE develops policy-relevant concepts, advises ministries, governments as well as international organizations, and refers to current policy issues. The training programs of DIE for university graduates and young professionals are integrated into the research and advisory process (see more on www.die-gdi.de).

(After the lecture you are cordially invited to a get-together with snacks.)

Programme

29 October 2015
German Foreign Policy in Light of Global Challenges and the Reform Process “Review 2014“

• Cyrill Nunn, Commissioner for Human Rights, International Development, the United Nations and Arms Control of the German Federal Foreign Office.

12 November 2015
Crisis Prevention – How Sustainable is German Peace Policy?

• Jörn Grävingholt, Senior Researcher at the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for Civilian Crisis Prevention of the German Federal Government

26  November 2015
German Foreign Policy between Economic Interests and a Sustainable Commitment to Democracy and Human Rights

• Julia Leininger, Head of the Department Governance, Statehood and Security (acting) at the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

10 December 2015
Germany's Africa Policy: What Contribution does Germany make to Sustainability in Africa?

• Günter Nooke, Personal Representative of the German Chancellor for Africa & BMZ Commissioner for Africa

14 January 2016
German Foreign Policy towards Latin America: How Sustainable is Germany’s Approach?

• Claudia Zilla, Head of Research Division “The Americas” at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

28 January 2016
How to Shape a Global and Sustainable Regulatory and Security Policy in the Future.
What Role does Germany Play?

• Dirk Messner, Director of the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)