German foreign policy for more education, science and research
Many serious problems of our time – whether in the economic sphere or regarding energy or climate issues – will only be solved with the help of science. Another consideration is that because Germany lacks natural resources it has to invest in its population's intellectual abilities and capacities.
For these reasons, exchanging ideas with academics from other countries is extremely important. On Monday, 19 January, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened a conference on research and academic relations policy, the focus of German cultural relations and education policy in 2009.
The current economic and financial crisis has added a number of new issues to the agenda for German and international policymaking: According to which rules should the world economy and financial system be organized and how can equitable participation be ensured? What can Germany itself contribute and which demands will we have to place on our partners? How can we ensure that enough is being done to protect the climate in times of economic stagnation or even recession? Which responsibilities do rich and poor countries have, what burdens can we expect them to shoulder?
Finding answers to these questions means looking beyond the individual branches of economics and politics. Often, even the methods of classic diplomacy are no longer a sufficient means of finding solutions. "But if the task at hand is to exercise global responsibility to strengthen accountability worldwide, we should first make learning by doing our priority," Steinmeier stated in his opening speech at the conference on research and academic relations at the Federal Foreign Office.
Prof. Dr. Rafig Azzam, Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University
(Jan Greunde)
Important – especially for Germany
In order to master this challenge, together with international partners, German cultural relations and education policy has launched a number of initiatives in the last few years:
- reforming and expanding the presence of the Goethe-Institut
- increasing the number of international partner schools from 500 to 1000
- the focus in 2009 is the Research and Academic Relations Initiative
Steinmeier explained, "It's about accepting differences – but moreover we need cultural relations and education policy to unlock the creative potential contained in these differences. And in this science plays a significant role. Without the help of science it will not be possible to find reasonable answers to the massive challenges humanity faces today. It is as crucial for the field of economics as for the climate and environment, for the field of politics as much as for society.
What is being done?
As part of the Research and Academic Relations Initiative new measures will strengthen and expand academic exchange. As an example of a concrete measure, Steinmeier emphasized the new "German Science Fora" in particular. They will
- showcase Germany as a centre of innovation,
- promote contact and networking between German and foreign researchers and academics,
- inform foreign academics about possibilities of researching or working in Germany.
Four such fora located in Moscow, New Delhi, Sao Paulo and Tokyo are to be opened soon.
More information about other measures of the initiative, its partners, outstanding academics and much more is available on the initiative's website:
Last updated 19.01.2009
