2006 BUCERIUS SUMMER SCHOOL ON GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
PARTICOPATION REPORT
Introduction
The 2006 Bucerius Summer School took place from 13 – 27 August 2006 in Germany. With my nomination by the AAI Chief Executive, Mr. Ramesh Singh, I was among the 54 participants selected from 30 countries across the globe. Participants were from different walks of life: from the EU representative on financial markets in the US, to the Marketing Manager of Siemens International based in China, from the Israel Foreign Policy Adviser to the Communications Director of International Atomic Energy (IAE), from Head of Policy of ActionAid International Malawi to Representative of the World Bank in EU. The course was held in Hamburg, Berlin and Paderborn.
This year’s summer school was held under the theme “The World Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities – Problems and Prospects”
Bucerius Summer School
The Bucerius Summer School aims at fostering leadership qualities in young professionals by involving them in an international dialogue on current political, economic, social and legal questions. It provides a forum for cross-cultural exchange between up-and-coming young leaders from around the world who, during a two-week session, learn from and are inspired by well known public figures in politics, business, academia, and the NGO sphere. Supported by the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius since 2001 (and later joined by the Heinz Nixdorf Stiftun in 2004), the 'Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance' is held annually.
The summer school runs on very high levels of mission as evidenced in the world of the Patron of Bucerius Summer School, Helmut Schmidt: “Anybody who favours more powerful institutions for global governance ought to be aware of the lurking leviathan, namely the ever growing selfish and tyrannical but de facto uncontrollable bureaucracy.” Helmut Schmidt is Former German Chancellor.
2006 Content
In Hamburg
The course started on 13th August with opening and welcome remarks by Prof. Michael Göring, Director of the Executive Board, Prof. Theo Sommer, Dean and Editor-at-Large, DIE ZEIT, Hamburg, and Dr. Oliver Gnad, Project Director, ZEIT-Stiftung. After introductions of participants, Prof. John Ruggie, Kirkpatrick Professor of International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University gave first paper on Global Governance – Concept and Reality? He was followed by Prof. Timothy Garton Ash who gave talk on “what chance for a Free World”
Prof Ruggle is the architect of the Millennium Campaign. In his talk, Ruggle sighted examples of showed b=how
In Hamburg:
· The Matrix of Global Governance I: the United Nations and the European Union
· The Matrix of Global Governance II: the Private Sector – Business Without Boundaries
· The Matrix of Global Governance III: Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
In Berlin
· The Security of States: Traditional Concepts
· Societal Security I: Energy Security and the Environment
· Societal Security II: managing Global Public Goods
In Paderborn
· Regional Realities and the Global Power Pattern (I): the Rise of China
Back in Hamburg
· Regional Realities and the Global Power Pattern (II): the Rise of India
· Regional Realities and the Global Power Pattern (II): Capacity Building in Africa
· Governance Beyond Governments: Social Capital and Global Public Networks
· Risk Management: AIDS, Avian Flu and Other Pandemics
· Risk Management: Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Global Warming and Other Catastrophes
· The Future of the West: Global Governance and Global Leadership
Conclusion
The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. This observation is easy to make, and yet few would agree on how to manage this change. Indeed we are in the midst of a fundamental debate about how to govern individual lives, for the benefit of many. Traditional political institutions, anchored in the nation state, have lost influence. On the other hand, other players, like International Financial Institutions, multinational Corporations and civil society organizations, have gained influence. With this reality, the course helped rethink our ways of formulating and implementing policy in ActionAid International. It raises essential questions about the legitimacy, enforceability, and accountability of policy in the so called globalized world. Governance – like government – cannot take place in a political vacuum. Governance needs guidelines, rules, a normative basis. Ours is duty to ensure these do uplift the lives of the poor. Global Governance needs universally accepted and applicable rules – principles which serve as a compass to find our way through the social, political, and economic terra incognita lying ahead. ActionAid International is well placed to be the lead in such alternatives.
Now that I have gone through the course, I am set to confront the challenges to come. I will write a comprehensive report and consider sharing and conductive similar discussions with the staff.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
German Chancellor needs to follow example of her President and deliver on Africa
German Chancellor needs to follow example of her President and deliver on Africa, says ActionAid.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs to follow the example of her president who is in Ghana this week talking to African heads of state and representatives of civil society, and deliver on Africa at the G8, says ActionAid.
“We welcome President Koehler’s initiative and hope that Chancellor Merkel follows his example, taking a real interest in issues that go beyond the economic interests of rich countries”, said Anne Jellema, Head of Policy at ActionAid International.
In less than 150 days, Chancellor Merkel welcomes Heads of State to the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The agenda focuses on growth and responsibility with a special emphasis on Africa. But up until now, Merkel has never visited the continent.
“If Merkel wants to send a ‘positive message of trust in the future of Africa’ as she stated in the G8 agenda, she should listen to her African counterparts and take their needs into consideration,” said Jellema.
“Merkel could deliver a positive message by ensuring there is a proper funding plan for universal access to anti-retrovirals and she could deliver that at the G8 Summit” said Jellema. “Only 20% of those who need antiretroviral therapy currently have access to it. We are about $10 billion short per year to meet the Universal Access target by 2010 and we can’t afford to wait any longer for a positive message”.
Interim South Africa Country Director for ActionAid International, Collins Magalasi, added:
“If the G8 really cares about Africa it will support country-led processes rather than pushing reforms designed in Heiligendamm.”
“Koehler acknowledges that good conditions for private investment are insufficient and African companies need better access to European and American markets whereas Merkel’s G8 agenda favours rich countries’ interests, bypassing the development needs of Africa,” he added
German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs to follow the example of her president who is in Ghana this week talking to African heads of state and representatives of civil society, and deliver on Africa at the G8, says ActionAid.
“We welcome President Koehler’s initiative and hope that Chancellor Merkel follows his example, taking a real interest in issues that go beyond the economic interests of rich countries”, said Anne Jellema, Head of Policy at ActionAid International.
In less than 150 days, Chancellor Merkel welcomes Heads of State to the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The agenda focuses on growth and responsibility with a special emphasis on Africa. But up until now, Merkel has never visited the continent.
“If Merkel wants to send a ‘positive message of trust in the future of Africa’ as she stated in the G8 agenda, she should listen to her African counterparts and take their needs into consideration,” said Jellema.
“Merkel could deliver a positive message by ensuring there is a proper funding plan for universal access to anti-retrovirals and she could deliver that at the G8 Summit” said Jellema. “Only 20% of those who need antiretroviral therapy currently have access to it. We are about $10 billion short per year to meet the Universal Access target by 2010 and we can’t afford to wait any longer for a positive message”.
Interim South Africa Country Director for ActionAid International, Collins Magalasi, added:
“If the G8 really cares about Africa it will support country-led processes rather than pushing reforms designed in Heiligendamm.”
“Koehler acknowledges that good conditions for private investment are insufficient and African companies need better access to European and American markets whereas Merkel’s G8 agenda favours rich countries’ interests, bypassing the development needs of Africa,” he added
7 Presidents crack heads with Young Leaders, Accra Ghana.
7 Presidents crack heads with Young Leaders, Accra Ghana.
150 days and counting to 2007 G8 meet in Germany
From January 11 to 14 2007, a high profiled conference is taking place in Accra, Ghana. I arrived yesterday on 10th January, to represent ActionAid International and Malawi. We will be in meeting with the following leaders to discuss the future of the German ‘Partnership with Africa.’
1. President Horst Kohler – President of the Republic of Germany
2. President John Kufor – President of the Republic of Ghana
3. President Olusegun Obasanjo – President of the federal Republic of Nigeria
4. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia
5. President Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana
6. President Alpha Oumar Konare – President of the Commission of the African Union
7. President Thomas Yayi Boni – President of the Republic of Benin
The theme of the meeting is “Two Generations, One Future – Today’s Challenges and Way Forward”
In 150 days Chancellor Merkel of Germany will welcome Heads of State to the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm. The agenda will focus on growth and responsibility with a special emphasis on Africa.
Merkel has up until now never visited the continent while President Koehler is this week meeting young leaders from Africa and Germany together with Presidents from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Botswana, Benin and the African Union in Kohler’s “Partnership for Africa” initiative to discuss political and social participation, education and employment, war and violence and environment and the natural habitat. The conference comes at the time most G8 members have not implemented measures to combat climate change, including recommendations of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development; are known to have fuelled and supported armed conflicts in Africa, and have not left policy space for the African states.
Koehler has shown a keen interest in political dialogue with African counterparts and citizens – but on an equal basis. The G8 agenda currently attaches importance to an expansion of G8 relations with Africa but in the form of reforms for Africa.
In the past, the language of ‘reform’ has too often been used to impose policies on Africa, such as privatising services and opening up markets for the benefit of G8 investors. But if the G8 really cares about democracy in Africa it will support country-led processes rather than pushing reforms designed in Heiligendamm.
Koehler acknowledges already that good conditions for private investment are insufficient and African companies need better access to European and American markets whereas Merkel’s G8 agenda favours rich countries’ interests, bypassing the development needs of Africa.
Koehler is already on his way to Ghana to discuss the way forward and learn from African experiences and analysis; he is way ahead of Chancellor Merkel in terms of process and content. I look forward to meeting him! More so is my interest to talk and debate with African leaders!
Collins Magalasi
Accra, Ghana
11 January 2007
150 days and counting to 2007 G8 meet in Germany
From January 11 to 14 2007, a high profiled conference is taking place in Accra, Ghana. I arrived yesterday on 10th January, to represent ActionAid International and Malawi. We will be in meeting with the following leaders to discuss the future of the German ‘Partnership with Africa.’
1. President Horst Kohler – President of the Republic of Germany
2. President John Kufor – President of the Republic of Ghana
3. President Olusegun Obasanjo – President of the federal Republic of Nigeria
4. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia
5. President Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana
6. President Alpha Oumar Konare – President of the Commission of the African Union
7. President Thomas Yayi Boni – President of the Republic of Benin
The theme of the meeting is “Two Generations, One Future – Today’s Challenges and Way Forward”
In 150 days Chancellor Merkel of Germany will welcome Heads of State to the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm. The agenda will focus on growth and responsibility with a special emphasis on Africa.
Merkel has up until now never visited the continent while President Koehler is this week meeting young leaders from Africa and Germany together with Presidents from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Botswana, Benin and the African Union in Kohler’s “Partnership for Africa” initiative to discuss political and social participation, education and employment, war and violence and environment and the natural habitat. The conference comes at the time most G8 members have not implemented measures to combat climate change, including recommendations of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development; are known to have fuelled and supported armed conflicts in Africa, and have not left policy space for the African states.
Koehler has shown a keen interest in political dialogue with African counterparts and citizens – but on an equal basis. The G8 agenda currently attaches importance to an expansion of G8 relations with Africa but in the form of reforms for Africa.
In the past, the language of ‘reform’ has too often been used to impose policies on Africa, such as privatising services and opening up markets for the benefit of G8 investors. But if the G8 really cares about democracy in Africa it will support country-led processes rather than pushing reforms designed in Heiligendamm.
Koehler acknowledges already that good conditions for private investment are insufficient and African companies need better access to European and American markets whereas Merkel’s G8 agenda favours rich countries’ interests, bypassing the development needs of Africa.
Koehler is already on his way to Ghana to discuss the way forward and learn from African experiences and analysis; he is way ahead of Chancellor Merkel in terms of process and content. I look forward to meeting him! More so is my interest to talk and debate with African leaders!
Collins Magalasi
Accra, Ghana
11 January 2007
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