Robert Bosch Academy

In the latest episode of our Podcast series "Think. Debate. Inspire.", Henry Alt-Haaker and Atje Drexler speak with our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow Bogolo Joy Kenewendo about 📌 the evolution of #internationalcooperation since the end of the second world war, 📌 the challenges it faces currently, 📌 the need to critically consider how and why many existent formats of #multilateralism aren't working the way they should, 📌 #climatefinance and so much more. Listen to the episode here and tell us what you think👉 https://lnkd.in/dwnhFN4p

I started my fellowship at the Robert Bosch Academy this June to look more closely at the issue of #FeministForeignPolicy, an emerging trend among a number of (primarily, but not only, Western) nations, including, as of 2023, the Federal Republic of Germany. Very quickly, I discovered (to my surprise) that just to use the word, #Feminist, was complicated, if not downright problematic, in Germany. So, my research has widened to explore what it means to aspire to have a #ForeignPolicy that claims adherence to the values and ideals of feminism in its interactions with other countries, while facing a contested set of domestic realities and cultural norms that have actively prevented the realization of those ideals at home. In fact, Germany, like so many other countries, including India (where I was born and raised) and the USA (where I am now a citizen) is actively struggling with its own notions of #femininity and #masculinity; understandings of morality; and how they relate to religion and/or inherited #Religious Beliefs. Add to that the rise of #RightWingPoliticalParties that are ascendant in German politics (as also in India and in the USA) all of which are profoundly misogynist and anti-feminist, and you have a heady mix of politics, culture, and economic malaise. So, I am grateful for the work of courageous doctors like Dr. Hänel, an abortion provider, who took on Germany's Nazi era law that bans both #abortions and penalizes doctors for any public mention of offering abortions. Thanks to her efforts, part of Germany's astonishing continued #AbortionBan (since 1871) aka para 219a that bans doctors from providing abortions has been lifted. However, German political parties on the right, including the CDU and FDP, and the power of conservative states like Bayern, have consistently ensured that in united Germany today, it is still illegal for women to have an abortion. This despite, a history in East Germany where it was both accessible and legal. So the contradictions continue - should there be a clear expectation that nations adhere to core #feministvalues in their domestic policy before advancing any such claims about their #foreignpolicy? https://lnkd.in/eC79v9i5

Earlier this week, we brought together our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellows with the Fellows from the #HumboldtResidencyProgramme of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a peer-to-peer exchange. The Humboldt Residency Program cohort is currently working on different aspects of "Power and Knowledge. Confronting global imbalances in our knowledge systems". The Richard von Weizsäcker Fellows on the other hand are working on individual projects which look into #justtransition, #genderjustice, #feministforeignpolicy, #climate #peace and #security. The exchange, which took place in an informal setting, provided the fellows a chance to interact with each other, explore possibilities of working together and also share their experiences of being in fellow in Germany. A special thanks to Tonja Andrea Klausmann for coming up with this idea. Looking forward to convening similar exchanges in the future.

Global spending on weapons of #war is increasing. This means less money for hospitals, schools or #environmentalprotection. And a greater danger for the world. How does one deal with this conundrum while considering the human and societal costs of steering yet more resources toward waging war? The outcome of this November’s U.S. elections will be pivotal in determining whether Washington remains a leader in global defense strategy or retreats to a more isolationist approach. Our Fellow Ted Piccone shares his views on this issue in his piece for DIE ZEIT. EN version: https://lnkd.in/da3F9MxE DE version: https://lnkd.in/d7rTU-3t

The interplay between #Digitaltechnologies and the #NationState is a complicated, yet a fascinating one. Depending on who is instrumentalising it and how, it has the potential to be a poweful force to reckon with. While it has increasingly played a decisive role in blurring the national boundaries and become a platform where people with likeminded political views look for a shared political home,there is more to it than meets the eye. Our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow Catherine Mulligan, Ph.D. unpacks the discourse surrounding this in her piece for DIE ZEIT. The German version of the piece can be found here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dTj8z3YT Robert Bosch Stiftung

The interplay between #Digitaltechnologies and the #NationState is a complicated, yet a fascinating one. Depending on who is instrumentalising it and how, it has the potential to be a poweful force to reckon with. While it has increasingly played a decisive role in blurring the national boundaries and become a platform where people with likeminded political views look for a shared political home,there is more to it than meets the eye. Our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow Catherine Mulligan, Ph.D. unpacks the discourse surrounding this in her piece for DIE ZEIT. The German version of the piece can be found here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dTj8z3YT Robert Bosch Stiftung

The upcoming presidential elections in the US have been in the spotlight over the past few days since #PresidentBiden endorsed #KamalaHarris as the democratic candidate. Despite the new dynamic in the election campaign, the political discourse still continues to be extremely polarizing. And the #fourthestate - the media- plays a decisive role in it.   In the current episode of our podcast "Think. Debate. Inspire.", Henry Alt-Haaker and Dr. Pradnya Bivalkar speak with Jay Rosen from the New York University about 📌 how the American media system has evolved over the past decades, 📌 the role that the American media has traditionally played in creating and strengthening or weakening the persona of presidential candidates, 📌 why and how the far right rejects mainstream media, 📌and last but not least, the phenomenon of #DonaldTrump.   Do give this very timely and insightful conversation a listen and let us know what you think 👉 https://lnkd.in/dUFyRsGJ (Disclaimer: This recording took place just after the presidential debate between Donald Trump and President Biden and before it became clear that President Biden would retract his nomination.)

After the results of the #EU elections, there seemed to be a sense of relief in EU circles. It emerged due to the fact that the far-right did not take over COMPLETELY. But is it a reason enough to be relieved? Is democracy something where the winner takes it all? In her piece for our Newsletter Quarterly Perspectives, our fellow Ece Temelkuran shares her concerns. Read the piece here and subscribe 👉 https://lnkd.in/dCraYAcw

On the backdrop of the recently concluded #EuropeanElections as well as the elections in France, there is a concerning trend of a shift towards the #farright all across Europe. But how real is a so called worst-case scenario a possibility even if one factors in the presence of far right parties in parliamentary systems? Nathalie Tocci shares her thoughts on the nature and depth of the challenges that go along with these developments in her piece for our Newsletter Quarterly Perspectives. Read the piece here and subscribe 👉 https://lnkd.in/dBmHPVBx

There has been a lot of talk in this #electionyear about the role #artificialintelligence can play/ is already playing in manipulating electoral behavior and damaging electoral process.   But is it really the case or is it merely that a technology like the #AI is exposing the socio-political fault lines that have been around for a while?   Our fellow Catherine Mulligan, Ph.D. provides insights into the nuances of the technology and society nexus in her piece for our Newsletter Quarterly Perspectives. Read the piece here and subscribe 👉 https://lnkd.in/dRjZwVG4