Interviews

From education for sustainable development to the climate crisis, and feminist development policy to conflict transformation: akzente addresses the many facets of international cooperation. National and international experts share their views and new perspectives.

How to revolutionise recycling in Jordan

Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment of Jordan, Dr Mohammed Al Khashashneh, on the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR)

‘The loss of biodiversity is destroying the very foundations of our existence’

Scientist Katrin Böhning-Gaese on extinction and why we urgently need to put an end to it.

‘The results are mixed’

Jörg Linke, Head of GIZ’s Competence Centre for Climate Change, reports on the results of COP27 in Egypt.

Das Bild zeigt eine Vielzahl von runden Holzschalen, die sorgfältig angeordnet sind und verschiedene Lebensmittel enthalten. Zu sehen sind frische Früchte, wie Beeren und Zitrusfrüchte, sowie getrocknete Gewürze, Kräuter, Getreide und Nüsse. Die Anordnung ist symmetrisch und bietet eine bunte Palette an natürlichen Lebensmitteln.

‘We need to reform our food system’

In this akzente interview, agricultural scientist Matin Qaim talks about the global food situation and explains why the current crisis is a continuation of an unwelcome development.

Das Bild zeigt eine Wand mit vielen bunten Rohren in Gelb, Blau, Rot und Weiß. Diese Rohre sind zu einem Muster angeordnet und halten kleine Terrakottatöpfe, in denen unterschiedliche Pflanzen und Kräuter wachsen. Die Wand selbst ist alt und die Farbe blättert ab.

‘A community garden is a microcosm of society’

Monika Egerer explores what a healthy urban climate could look like. akzente asked her about the importance of urban ecosystems in the Global North and South.

‘One billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases.’

An interview with Dr Christina Kreuzberg on neglected tropical diseases and how GIZ is helping to advance health care.

‘Digitalisation as an opportunity to overcome differences instead of deepening divisions’

Food security is under pressure worldwide. GIZ expert Diana Diekjürgen explains the role that digitalisation could play for food security in the future.

‘Refugees must be able to speak for themselves’

An interview with Sabah Al Hallak, a Syrian women’s and human rights activist, about her own experience and her involvement in the Action Network on Forced Displacement.

‘We’re ready to go as soon as we can work again.’

An interview with GIZ Country Director in Ethiopia Peter Palesch on working under difficult circumstances.

A magazine in transition

akzente is transitioning to become a purely online publication. GIZ Press Spokesperson Ute Schaeffer and Jörg Schindler, who was responsible for the magazine in the late 1990s, talk here about akzente as it was and is.

Das Bild zeigt ein Porträt von Svenja Schulze, der Bundesministerin für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung. Sie lächelt freundlich und trägt eine Brille mit dunklem Rahmen sowie goldene Ohrringe. Ihre blonden Haare sind leicht gewellt und sie trägt eine dunkelblaue Bluse.

‘Climate is at the heart of development policy’

Svenja Schulze is new to the German Development Ministry but not to Government. Her priorities are climate, poverty, gender, health and crisis prevention. In an interview, she discusses German development policy in flux.

‘We need new energy partnerships’

Antonio Almonte, Energy Minister of the Dominican Republic, explains how this Caribbean country can put its energy mix on a sustainable footing.