Data as Political Capital

What kind of Rules & Regulations do we need for a a digitized Democracy?

Digitization has completely altered the way our societies communicate and how political opinion-making is shaped. Foreign interference, online hate-speech, data leaks on social media platforms and fake-news have made it more important than ever to define a global rules-based system and code of conduct that sets a common standard and protects democracy. The discussion with Germany’s leading startup for Digital Political Communications and Teddy Goff, one of America’s key figures from the campaigning landscape, will provide a state of the lay of current debates in Europe and the US, and will draw attention to the action that needs to be taken in order to have resilient democracies in the age of new technologies and artificial intelligence.

Crafting an Alliance for Multilateralism

In April 2019, the foreign ministers of Germany and France announced an initiative to create an alliance for multilateralism to enlist those UN Member States committed to international cooperation. It is clear that the United Nations needs champions in a challenging international context; however, questions arise about this proposal.

Cyber-Security: an issue for national and international security

From May 13 – 17, the KAS New York office hosts a dialogue program with security experts from Brazil on the topic of Cyber-Security. In the discussions, delegates will bring in their broad range of expertise from their diplomatic, academic and private sector background.

How can NGOs lobby the UN (and member states) for more action on combating GBV in conflict zones?

Dr. Denis Mukwege received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. Sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict constitutes both a war crime and a threat to peace and security. As a surgeon Denis Mukwege has helped thousands of victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has repeatedly condemned impunity for mass rape on national and international level, and constantly reminds governments and the international community that more needs to be done to stop the use of sexual violence against women as a strategy and weapon of war. Although Gender Based Violence (GBV) in conflicts has received more attention over the last years, there is a need to ensure that the efforts of state and non-state actors, of the UN and the international community to prevent GBV in conflict zones, to support victims, and to hold perpetrators accountable, are intensified. The momentum should not be lost and the various efforts need to get consolidated. We are pleased to invite you to this roundtable that aims to discuss the need to strengthen efforts and initiatives with a champion of the fight against sexual violence as a weapon of war, Dr. Denis Me Mukwege Mukengere.

Media as a Guardian of Democratic Values and Multilateral Institutions

KAS New York is facilitating this visit in the context of our dialogue program entitled “Media as a Guardian of Democratic Values and Multilateral Institutions”. Recognizing that the media can be a guardian of democratic values and multilateral institutions we would like to explore how free journalists and bloggers can report in a fact-based manner on democratic processes and the work of the UN. Additionally we will look into ways in which the United Nations can strengthen the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Europe Goes to the Polls: What to Expect from the European Parliamentary Election

Breakfast Briefing with Klaus Welle, Secretary-General of the European Parliament on “Europe Goes to the Polls: What to Expect from the European Parliamentary Election” Hosted in partnership with the American Council on Germany

Feedback Session: Study on earmarking in the multilateral development system

The German Development Institute, a leading think tank for development policy, conducted a comprehensive study commissioned by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on the topic of earmarking in the multilateral development system. The study not only provides evidence and analysis to inform smart decision-making on earmarked funding for multilateral development banks and the UN Development System, but also explores different instruments of earmarked funding and offers policy recommendations for donors. In partnership with the German Development Institute, KAS New York Office is hosting a meeting to provide feedback and discuss the draft version of the report with one of its authors, Dr. Max-Otto Baumann, before the final version will be released.

Contemporary Challenges to the Independence of Judges and Lawyers

UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, KAS New York, NYC BAR Association