Last year has truly shaken the #InternationalCooperation aka #DevelopmentCooperation industry, which has been complacent and self-referential for decades. The entire sector is under massive pressure: public funding is declining, and another major governmental organisation—USAID—had its doors closed.

Over time, the industry lost touch with both the people it aims to serve and the taxpayers who fund it, making it an easy target for populists.

Still, in Germany, the new government decided last year to keep a standalone ministry for international cooperation, diverging from the trend of integrating such matters into foreign or economic affairs. But it was made clear that the ministry’s approach must change. So far, we’ve yet to see the political masterplan that could prevent this from being the last German government with such a ministry.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll revisit and expand on my mid-year posts, sharing my perspective on the urgent need for reform—both in German and with English summaries.

#FutureOfCooperation #GlobalPartnerships