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From Climate Economy to Green Economy

In 1992 the largest environmental conference of the UN, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also called “Earth Summit”, was held in Rio de Janeiro. The focus of the conference was the need for a new paradigm for sustainable social development, to stop the unabated overstraining of natural resources. As a result, the concept of sustainability gained worldwide popularity, and a flood of new ideas and approaches from various scientific disciplines penetrated the global society.

Dr. Christian Hübner

April 13, 2011

International Reports

From Kyoto to Durban – The European Union’s Climate Policy

„Climate“ and „policy“ – until about fifteen years ago, these two words were never heard in combination. But over the last 20 years, since the “Earth Summit“ in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, international efforts to fight climate change have intensified in view of the global challenges being faced in the areas of food, migration and security. Europe has played a leading role in the talks since the beginning.

Dr. Céline-Agathe Caro, Christiane Rüth

April 13, 2011

International Reports

From the Driver’s Seat to the Backseat - Regional Cooperation in Southeast Asia

For the media the most significant outcome of the meeting of foreign ministers of the ten ASEAN countries was the announcement that they are considering a joint bid to host the football World Cup in 2030. Apparently, the ministers were trying to improve public perception of ASEAN at a time when the regional organisation was not really able to show any great progress on the issue of integration. The announcement of a possible bid to host the football World Cup did at least distract some attention from the current problems within the association and provided some positive publicity.

Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister

April 13, 2011

International Reports

Harmony as a National Mission: Singapore’s Way of Dealing with Immigration and Integration

Despite its falling birth rate, Singapore has more than doubled its population during the past thirty years. The small island state is world wide the “top destination” for migrants, according to an analysis by the American Gallup Institute published in August 2010. In Singapore, immigration is controlled not only with regard to demographics but also depending on the situation of the economy. Concerning integration, the government has developed a system that reaches out into all areas of life.

Paul Linnarz

April 13, 2011

International Reports

Indonesia’s Role in International Climate Policy. Financial Incentives to Preserve the Rainforest

Concerning the emission of greenhouse gas, Indonesia is the third biggest environmental sinner in the world after China and the USA. The destruction of the Indonesian rainforest has wide-reaching consequences for the global climate – 80 per cent of the forest has already disappeared. The REDD initiative (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is now part of the international approach to climate protection. It holds a lot of promise for countries like Indonesia with large stands of tropical rainforest.

Marc Frings

April 13, 2011

International Reports

Post-Election Slovakia: The First Half-Year of the Center-Right Government

The new coalition agreement between four center-right parties contains a set of measures aimed at expanding the space for free market economy mechanisms, strengthening the democratic character of the state, keeping the institutions of public power stable and functioning, strengthening the genuine independence of judiciary and increasing transparency in public life. After the first six month of the new government, some changes in several areas are worth noticing.

Grigorij Mesežnikov

April 13, 2011

International Reports

Economic Policy in South Africa - Growth Plans and Growth Obstacles

In 2010 South Africa impressed the world with an almost perfectly organised Football World Cup. Major infrastructure projects and new world-class stadiums impressively demonstrated the investment and mobilisation capacity of the country. South Africa has weathered even the economic and financial crisis relatively well. Negative growth was 1.8 per cent in 2009 and unemployment grew by about one million. In 2010 however, another good three per cent growth is expected, the inflation at four per cent is within the three to six per cent region set by the Central Bank.

Dr. Werner Böhler

March 8, 2011

International Reports

Editorial

It is sad to hear despondency being voiced in certain parts of the west in the face of the changes in Egypt. Of course we are left with a feeling of great uncertainty as to what the future will bring. But this should not stop us welcoming the changes wholeheartedly and offering energetic support to those who are striving to build a constitutional, democratic and socially just nation.

Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

March 8, 2011

International Reports

Kenya´s New Constitution: Triumph in Hand, Testing Times Ahead?

Following a tortuous path of some two decades, Kenya finally obtained a new constitution when on August 4, 2010 two-thirds of Kenyans who participated in the national referendum voted to adopt it, and President Mwai Kibaki promulgated it at a festive ceremony in Nairobi three weeks later.

Tom Wolf

March 8, 2011

International Reports

Pakistan After the Flood

Six months after the biggest flood disaster in Pakistan’s history, approximately seven of 13 million people who lost their houses and possessions to the floods around the Indus and its tributaries are still without adequate protection or food in the face of the cold winter weather which has been prevailing since December.

Karl Fischer

March 8, 2011

International Reports