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Titelbild mit der KI Adobe Firefly generiert, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

No Fear of Numbers: Why Math Belongs in Early Childhood Education

Strengthening Educational Opportunities Through Early Support

Early math education strengthens logical thinking, STEM skills, and social participation. Even toddlers develop a sense of patterns, quantities, and structures when supported by skilled early childhood educators. Introducing mathematical learning in preschool not only improves future career opportunities but also promotes equity, democratic understanding, and a sense of agency. To achieve this, we need strong structural support, professional development, more qualified staff, and political commitment.

Tobias Ernst
June 26, 2025
Facts and Findings
Titelbild mit der KI Adobe Firefly generiert, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

Criminal responsibility limits in Europe: Insights into the legal situation and juvenile delinquency

How European countries deal with criminal responsibility limits and what conclusions can be drawn for the German debate

The discussion about lowering the criminal responsibility threshold in Germany to less than 14 years of age is controversial. Proponents argue that earlier criminal interventions are necessary to prevent criminal careers. Critics warn against stigmatization and point to alternatives such as preventive and educational measures. A comparison of models in countries such as the UK, Sweden and Switzerland shows different approaches and their implications. This analysis sheds light on key challenges and perspectives for Germany.

Annika Schröder
June 26, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

How do the Middle East and North Africa view the Israeli-Iranian war?

Perspectives from the region

On 13 June 2025, Israel began a large-scale military operation in Iran – with the declared aim to destroy Iran's nuclear programme. Since then, Iran has retaliated with attacks on civilian targets in Israel. On the night of 22 June, the USA entered the confrontation and conducted attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

Dr. Michael Rimmel, Philipp Dienstbier, Dr. Edmund Ratka, Dr. Thomas Volk, Michael Bauer, Dr. Ellinor Zeino, Winfried Weck, Steven Höfner
June 24, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Aton Chile

Chile: A failed experiment

An outlook to the presidential and parliamentary election in November 2025

After three and a half years in office, President Gabriel Boric's administration is showing clear signs of erosion. When he took office in 2022, the president aimed to radically reshape democratic institutions and replace traditional politics with a young generation of enthusiastic "morally superior" politicians. Numerous corruption scandals involving leading representatives of Boric's ruling party, the Frente Amplio, have emerged. The Boric experiment has failed. 

Olaf Jacob
June 16, 2025
Country reports
U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers / flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

The 78th World Health Assembly of the WHO 2025

Global Health at the Crossroads of Reform and Rivalry

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) offered a realistic reflection of the state of the global health system: on the one hand, member states’ ever-increasing expectations of the WHO; on the other, structural and financial constraints that threaten to severely limit its capacity for action. The Assembly itself took place against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions and challenges—evident, for instance, in the conspicuous absence of the United States and the ongoing dispute over Taiwan’s status within the organisation. Despite unfavourable circumstances, key health policy initiatives with the potential to benefit future generations were adopted or reaffirmed.

Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
June 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Colombia: Shots fired in the run-up to the elections

After an attack on an opposition politician, a polarized country fears a return to violent times

An assassination attempt on prominent conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has shaken Colombia less than a year before the presidential elections. While left-wing President Gustavo Petro blames the opposition for the increased social polarization, the opposition accuses Petro of acting outside the constitutional order with his announcement of a referendum. Many Colombians now fear a return to the days of internal armed conflict, when contract killings of politicians were a regular occurrence.

Hartmut Rank
June 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The US strategy in West Africa under Trump

America Engaged or America First?

Following the forced evacuation of the drone base in Niger, the USA is realigning its security strategy in West Africa. Washington now wants to strengthen partnerships with coastal countries such as Benin. However, the inauguration of Donald Trump marks the beginning of a period of uncertainty – is there a threat of a complete withdrawal? Russia, China and Turkey would benefit.

Dr. Tobias Rüttershoff, Ulf Laessing
June 12, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto

"Plenković is playing chess, everyone else is just playing ‘Ludo’”

The ruling HDZ party emerges surprisingly stronger from the 2025 Croatian local elections

Anyone who thought that the 2025 local elections would be a kind of swan song for Croatia's ruling HDZ party after its disastrous presidential elections at the beginning of the year was sorely disappointed: Not only did the conservative Christian Democrats win more mayoral and county council seats in this election than 2021, they also managed to maintain their position as Croatia's only truly national party with a stable voter base and functioning party structures throughout the country. In contrast, the Social Democrats emerged weakened from the local elections, while the smaller parties once again failed to establish themselves as national political players. The real winner of the local elections is likely to be the HDZ party leader, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. He has proven himself to be a clever strategist and cool-headed power politician, putting his rivals in their place for the time being.

Dr. Norbert Eschborn, Marko Prusina, Juro Avgustinović
June 12, 2025
Country reports
KI-generiert mit Adobe Firefly, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

Latvian local elections in June 2025

Voices of the centre, shadows of the fringes – Latvia's political fork in the road?

On 7 June 2025, Latvia held nationwide local elections for new local councils – a date that would normally attract limited international attention. This year's local elections in Latvia's capital Riga became a barometer of sentiment for the entire country: while populist actors such as Ainārs Šlesers made gains, the forces of the democratic centre were able to maintain their position – for the time being. Despite a slight increase in voter turnout, more than half of eligible voters stayed away from the polls – a result that underlines the deeper social tensions in the country. The east of Latvia remains a problem child in terms of security policy – with a view to Moscow. The mayor of Riga, Vilnis Ķirsis, and his pro-European party "New Unity" prevailed despite the difficult starting position and consolidated their role as a stabilizing force in the Latvian capital.

Oliver Morwinsky, Una Spēlmane-Baumane, Visvaldis Bērziņš
June 11, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Elections in crisis

Weeks before the presidential elections, Bolivia is going through deep political and economic turmoil

The Andean country is confronted with a whole series of crises and conflicts, which, taken together, could jeopardize the constitutional conduct of the elections. At the same time, the Bolivian population has high hopes for the planned election, which many hope will provide a way out of the severe economic crisis. They insist on adhering to the election date and do not want to allow their right to democratic participation to be deprived by political power struggles or the country's economic problems.

Dr. Christina Stolte
June 11, 2025
Country reports

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