Romania after the elections

A country searching for its path into the future, and encountering its past as it does so

In December, the Romanians elected a new parliament — half a year after Romania’s prime minister, Victor Ponta, caused international alarm by attempting to force the country’s president to step down. The degree of indignation felt by the Romanian population can be judged most of all by the low turnout in the elections, if not in the election result itself.

The Rise of Women’s Political and Entrepreneurial Power in Asia’s growing Economies

Insights from the Philippines

Although the Philippines is perceived as diverging from the regional norm in regard to the role of women in society generally speaking, it shares some of the disadvantages suffered by women elsewhere in the Asian region on account of gender. Even at present, Filipino women remain disadvantaged in the country’s laws pertaining to persons and family relations, for example.

Turkish Women in Politics, the Economy and Society

In Turkey, the status occupied by women has repeatedly emerged in current debates. The issue of the Islamic headscarf in particular has troubled the Turkish public. Against the backdrop of frequent assaults on women, the question of domestic violence and how to prevent it is also an issue that the media repeatedly come back to. The existenceof a women’s movement is a source of hope for Turkey in this respect.

Women in Politics and Society

International Reports 3|2013

Please download the full PDF here.

Women in Senegal’s Politics and Society

Priestesses, Princesses and Presidents?

The position of women in Senegal is often unenviable — as in many countries, they are always the first victims of poverty, violence, injustice and oppression. Despite the many mechanisms of discrimination in all areas of Senegalese society, it still possesses the fundamental requirements to achieve the effective and efficient participation of women in its political, social and economic development.

Africa and the Emerging Economies

International Reports 1/2|2013

Please download the full PDF here.

Brazil in Africa

Bridging the Atlantic?

Brazil’s presence in Africa is growing. It was President Lula who early on in his first term identified Africa as a priority in Brazil’s effort to diversify its partnerships. In some instances, the country also acted as a democracy promoter in Africa. Intertwined with Brazil’s growing economic presence in the African continent is its newfound role as an aid donor. Finally, Brazil is acquiring the military capacity, including several nuclear submarines, to increasingly control the South Atlantic that divides Brazil from Africa.

China, India and Brazil in Africa

Effects on Development Policy

China, India and Brazil have been clearly stepping up their involvement in Africa over recent years. Their approach is very different from the policy and aims behind the development assistance provided by “traditional” donors. China, India and Brazil do not view their closer ties with African governments in terms of the donor-recipient relationship. Trade and direct investment are taking centre-stage. The largely unconditional aid provided by these three emerging nations runs counter to the Western approach towards development assistance.

Editorial

At the end of March, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will be coming together for the fifth summit of the BRICS to create a separate BRICS Development Bank. Thanks to their enhanced status as regional powers, their global ambitions to exert influence in matters of politics and defence have increased at the same time, linked to clear interests in raw materials and export. By encouraging the rule of law, Germany and the EU can help African states to successfully pursue their interests vis-à-vis partners from the BRICS countries to the benefit of their own populations.

From Liberation Movement to Government

Past Legacies and the Challenge of Transition in Africa

Virtually all African liberation movements have experienced considerable difficulties in actually making the transition from struggle to government. The persistence of this phenomenon in Africa was the wellspring for an international Dialogue of leading struggle veterans, policy makers and experts in early October 2012. Experience from South Africa and indeed across Africa suggests that as the immediate euphoria of liberation subsides, problems characteristically arise that have to be traced back to the liberation movement itself.