Publications
Germany and the New South
Voices, Insights, Expectations
Germany and the New South | Voices, Insights, Expectations
Perspectives from the Global South on a changing World
Publications: Germany and the New South
September 10, 2024
In April 2024, Global Perspectives initiated a Commission to develop recommendations for Germany’s role, credibility and responsibilities in a changing, complex and contested world. To prepare for the Commission’s work, Global Perspectives interviewed ten experts from countries in the Global South. The paper captures the views that were expressed by the experts as well as key messages and insights for a new strategic engagement of Germany with countries in the Global South. It aims at highlighting that future international relations between Germany and other countries of the West will have to take a more sensitive and more precise look at the particularities and positions of the individual countries.
The future of international cooperation
Who are our partners in conversation?
Global Perspectives interviewed 10 experts from countries in the Global South - from India and Pakistan, to Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritius to Brazil and Ecuador - to get their insight into what the perception of Germany is in their respective countries. In interviews conducted from April to June 2024 the experts were asked about the areas in which German development policy is viewed particularly positively or negatively as well as the challenges and opportunities they see in future cooperation with Germany.
In what way is the world order changing?
As the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the gap between the global North and South had further widened. It is not just inequality that grew, distrust did too. Having the advantage of wealth and technological resources, rich countries were able to shield themselves from the worst of the pandemic’s economic consequences but low-income and developing countries - many of whom were vulnerable before the crisis - suffered major setbacks which saw decades of socioeconomic development gains reversed.
Who is the Global South?
The term ‘Global South’, first coined in 1969, has become shorthand to refer to a group of about 130 postcolonial and developing countries who advocate for their collective economic interests to enhance their negotiating capacity in international structures. While the term serves as a connecting element between countries, many countries in the Global South do not cooperate or collaborate with each other underlining the aspect that there is no such thing as a common and unified position of the Global South.
What does the Global South expect from Germany?
The interviewees are clear in relaying the message that the Global South wants to move away from the donor-recipient relationship, which is described as ‘outdated’. One of the experts says countries that have been reliant on aid have no freedom to make decisions. They want to see more emphasis being put on establishing and deepening trade. Countries in the Global South want fairness, and reforming the systems that govern the global community is key to achieving that.
Contact Persons
Gregor Darmer, g.darmer@globalperspectives.org
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