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Facts and Findings

Selected contributions to the series with international relevance

Publications

Global Megatrends (I): Global Power Shifts

The economic and political rise of new powers is putting pressure on the established architecture of international institutions. As a result, informal, issue-driven forums and regional organisations are taking on an increasingly significant role. They are particularly important in their function as instruments of cooperative conflict resolution in which they contribute to safeguarding global and regional stability. It is therefore in Germany’s interest to make the most of the opportunities available.

Global Megatrends (II): Demographic Change

The ageing population and associated lack of skilled workers presenta serious challenge to Europe’s competitiveness and to the sustainabilityof European welfare systems. Demographic change meansthat migration is no longer simply a security issue or a humanitarianchallenge but has also become a significant economic factor. Targetedmigration management also makes it possible to create closer andmore extensive networks involving global growth centres. For thisto happen, the European Union needs to create a common migrationregime.

Security and Development in the Sahel

Recommendations for German and European Foreign and Development Policies

In the course of the past year, the Sahel has developed into a regional crisis trouble spot, which will continue to affect Europe even oncethe current conflict in Mali has been resolved. Ethnic conflicts are weakening the region, thereby providing fertile ground for extremist groups and their terrorist activities. This paper proposes recommendations for action for German foreign policy, based mainly on the developments in Mali.

NATO-Brazil Relations

Limits of a Partnership Policy

This paper assesses the potential of a partnership between NATO and Brazil, based on interviews with over twenty high-level experts on Brazilian foreign policy. Because building international partnerships has become a vital task of NATO and since Brazil is seeking to increase its influence in global politics, senior NATO officials have called for the Alliance to reach out to Brazil. The paper argues that NATO would be unlikely to succeed in establishing a genuine partnership with Brazil because Brasília’s foreign policy-makers envision a world order different from that for which NATO stands.

Germany’s Foreign Policy and the "Energiewende"

Action Areas and Approaches

The manner in which the implementation of Germany’s transformation of the energy system (Energiewende) is being achieved is characterised by a considerable dynamic. There are no blueprints for Germany to refer to. In addition, this shift in energy policy is taking place at a time of great economic and thus geopolitical change in the global energy landscape.

Der Einheitslehrer - braucht er ein Einheitsstudium?

Die Diskussionen um die PISA-Ergebnisse haben nicht nur zu strukturellen Veränderungen des deutschen Schulsystems geführt, sondern auch zu einer Debatte über die Reformierung der Lehrerausbildung. Im Mittelpunkt der folgenden Ausführungen steht die Neuausrichtung der Lehrerausbildung in Baden-Württemberg, die eine Vereinheitlichung der Lehrerausbildung zum Ziel hat.

European Island Solutions as a Basis for Strengthening European Defence Capabilities?

For the first time since 2003, a session of the European Council dedicated to European defence and security policy will take place. Thefact that the heads of state and government will be addressing this subject matter will provide a significant opportunity to give new impetus to concepts – which up to now have in many ways been lacking – for the project of strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities at the very highest political level. One approach that could potentially produce significant progress involves the concept of “island solutions”.

The fight against piracy

One aspect of Germany‘s maritime security

David Petrovic takes up this issue and examines more closely one of the key areas of maritime security – the fight against piracy. As Mephistopheles said in Goethe’s Faust: “War, trade, and piracy, allow, as three in one, no separation.”

December Summit – Last Chance?

Impulses for the revitalisation of the common security and defense policy

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the EU has so far rarely met the expectations. Lately, it has only played a marginal role in conflicts with European involvement. In the aftermath of the Libyan conflict, there was even some talk of the “demise” of the CSDP. Contrary to numerous predictions, so far the cuts in national defence spending caused by the economic and financial crisis have not produced the necessary political will for greater cooperation.

Economy as an Engine for Change

Opportunities of Increased Engagement in the Maghreb

This paper sets out the essential challenges and obstacles for sustainable economic development. Based on this information, concrete recommendations for German (and European) policy makers are formulated which may help to sustainably promote the region’s development potential by means of concerted know-how transfer.

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About this series

The series informs in a concentrated form about important positions of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on current topics. The individual issues present key findings and recommendations, offer brief analyses, explain the Foundation's further plans and name KAS contact persons.

 

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Editor

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

Dr. Kristin Wesemann

Dr

Head of Strategy and Planning

kristin.wesemann@kas.de +49 30 26996-3803

Sophie Steybe

Referentin Publikationen

sophie.steybe@kas.de +49 30 26996-3726