akzente 1/2019 The GIZ Magazine The ABC of security Literacy courses for the Afghan police force Four-legged therapist Help for traumatised children in Ukraine A promising harvest New knowledge about African cocoa China Perspectives of a world power

Editorial CHINA – A COUNTRY ON THE UP AND UP On the pitfalls of simple truths sympathetically, but also objectively and discerningly. And to refrain from jumping to the same, often short-sighted conclu- sions. We hope that this issue of akzente can contribute to this. CHINA EXPERT Professor Eberhard Sand- schneider explores the misconceptions and illusions about the country in his analytical essay. One of his conclusions is that China will not allow itself to be stopped or lim- ited. He therefore recommends engaging with this internationally active and self-as- sured nation in as informed and construc- tive a way as possible. And, from GIZ’s per- spective, I would like to add in this context: while actively upholding our values and, where necessary, defending them. TO CAST AS WIDE A LIGHT as possible on China, this issue’s ‘In focus’ section includes not only an essay on the country, but also an interview with Chinese economist Zheng Han as well as a report on electro-mobility and countless surprising views, facts and fig- ures about China and its people. We hope this will open your eyes to one or two new and perhaps surprising things about China. Because, in the words of the Chinese phi- losopher Confucius: to think and not study is dangerous. ‘THE CHINESE DRAGON breathes fire’ is just one example of the many fear-induc- ing metaphors for China. They often oscil- late between worry and respect, and usually have something to do with size, mass, eco- nomic clout and political influence. And the underlying reason is almost always a fear of being backed into a corner oneself. CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT is breathtaking and worthy of superlatives. In just a few decades, the country has transformed itself from an isolated and agriculture-based planned economy into a first-rate production and export hub. It has fought poverty, is now the world’s second largest economy after the USA and has demonstrated enormous in- novative strength. What is more: China has transformed itself from a recipient into a donor country, from a largely inward-look- ing nation into a global power with leader- ship aspirations – while maintaining an air of both fascination and mystery. REASON ENOUGH for us to take a closer look at the ‘China phenomenon’. Even if it is unusual for akzente to focus on just one country. Especially since Germany’s tradi- tional development cooperation with China ended in 2009. Our rationale is that, as a de- velopment organisation that operates across the world, China’s ambitions often affect us directly. Whether in development projects in Africa, in global climate change mitiga- tion, or in international trade or suprana- tional health issues – without listening to and recognising China’s perspective, it will not be possible to find solutions to the ma- jor challenges of our time. It is therefore all the more important, in our opinion, to take a closer look at this still widely unknown ac- tor on the international stage; critically and ) 3 . P ( L E G O V A I R A M / N E F A R G O T O F F O H E I D : O T O H P akzente 1/19 3 SABINE TONSCHEIDT, Director of Corporate Communications sabine.tonscheidt@giz.de

Contents SNAPSHOT A brush with success Traditional brooms from the Chinese province of Hebei are a successful export. p. 40 REPORT A promising harvest More expertise for smallholder farmers in Nigeria p. 48 E T N E Z K A , Y T I L I B A N I A T S U S O F N I 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 INTRODUCING Hello from Dohuk Construction expert Frank-Uwe Abresch on living and working in northern Iraq p. 54 REPORT Four-legged therapist Dogs help traumatised and disabled children in Ukraine. p. 42 akzente 1/2019 The GIZ Magazine The ABC of security Literacy courses for the Afghan police force Four-legged therapist Help for traumatised children in Ukraine A promising harvest New knowledge about African cocoa China Perspectives of a world power COVER PHOTO The cover of this issue shows a primary school class in the Central Chinese province of Hunan. Virtual reality gives them a hands- on impression of the natural sciences. akzente 1/19 5 ) T F E L M O T T O B , 5 . P ( I Y K S N Y H C E T R D N A S K E L O , ) T H G I R P O T , 5 . P ( R E L S N Ä G N I R T A K , ) T F E L P O T , 5 . P ( T O H S O T O H P / E C N A I L L A E R U T C I P : S O T O H P

News ‘It is hard to overstate the urgency of our situation. Even as we witness devastating climate impacts causing havoc across the world, we are still not doing enough, nor moving fast enough.’ THREE QUESTIONS FOR ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General, at the opening of the Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, on 3 December 2018 ADENIYI KAZEEM ADEGOKE Global motivation ) P O T , 7 . P ( H C S Z T N E R N A I L U J : N O I T A R T S U L L I , ) P O T , 6 . . P ( T E N K E H T O T O H P / O M I S A M O H T : O T O H P SUSTAINABLE IDEAS Creativity was the order of the day with GIZ’s first ever Sustainability Champions con- test for staff around the world. The aim was to find promising projects to reduce CO2 emissions within the company. A total of 30 teams entered, with a view to winning a prize in one of five categories. The winners were chosen by GIZ’s staff. The successful teams came from Brazil (pictured, they developed a carpool app), Boliv- ia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thailand and Rwanda. The winning ideas in- cluded a solar charging station for electric bicycles and a voluntary work- ing day with children and young peo- ple. The competition aims to shine a spotlight on the various sustainability initiatives within the company and to acknowledge their value. akzente 1/19 7 He is the country coordinator of the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) in Nigeria. GIZ is implementing the project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in four countries. The project is cofinanced by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. What is the aim of the initiative? In many countries, there is a high demand for rice that cannot be met by local production. CARI helps actors in the rice sector to produce more rice of a better quality. It does so by improving cultivation, developing more efficient value chains and improving access to financial services. The project was launched in 2013. Has it had any im- pact yet? Yes, in northern Nigeria alone the project has benefit- ed more than 400,000 people directly or indirectly; they have a higher income and a secure food supply. Up to three times as much rice is harvested. And we have brought more women into the rice sector. How can you guarantee sustainability when the pro- ject ends in 2021? Mainly through the matching fund mechanism. In the first phase, BMZ and the Foundation financed 40 per cent of the project. Sixty per cent was pro- vided by private and public Nigerian investors. The ratio is now 30 to 70. By the end of the project, local stakeholders will be responsible for 100 per cent of the financing. They can then continue to use the existing training material to provide consider- able support for all actors in the value chain. www.giz.de/en/worldwide/26298.html

News Blockchain - innovation in Georgia PIONEERING ROLE New technologies can provide innovative solutions for sustainable global development. Blockchain is one such technology: it can be used to store information in an especially transparent and tamper- proof manner. GIZ is already using Blockchain in three projects – in Chile, the Philippines and Georgia. In Georgia, GIZ is supporting the Government in reforming the legal system on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Blockchain is used in the national public register to make entries in the land register available in digital form. Manipulation is practically impossible, and public confidence in the legal system is growing. The success is clear: around one million entries have already been registered. www.giz.de/en/worldwide/359.html NEW PROJECTS GEORGIA WIKI Official language: Georgian / Capital: Tbilisi / Form of government: parliamentary democracy / Head of state: Salome Zourabichvili / Head of government: Mamuka Bakhtadze / Size: 69,700 km2 / Population: approx. 3.9 million (1) / Population density: 56.3 per km2 (2) / GDP per capita: USD 3,790 (3) GEORGIA Tbilisi Sources: (1, 2) UN Data 2017, (3) World Bank 2017 Fair mining Effective photovoltaics Marine knowledge CONGO The working and living conditions of miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the focus of a project launched in early 2019. The project, which is completely privately funded, seeks to test methods of improving con- ditions in small-scale mining. It was ini- tiated by the BMW Group, BASF SE, Sam- sung SDI and Samsung Electronics, and is being implemented by GIZ. It is initially concentrating on one mine, where non- industrial methods are used to mine co- balt. Working conditions there can be very poor. MOROCCO The north African nation has great potential to harness the power of renewable energy. The market for pho- tovoltaic systems is growing. To support consumers and good businesses, Mo- roccan associations have developed a quality label for photovoltaics. On be- half of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, GIZ ad- vised them in conjunction with the Ger- man Solar Association. The German-Mo- roccan Energy Partnership provides the framework for bilateral cooperation. AFRICA What is the best way of protect- ing and using oceans and coasts to pre- serve their incredible biodiversity? In many African countries, the latest scien- tific information on how to achieve this is not always available. The MeerWissen in Afrika (more marine knowledge in Africa) initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Develop- ment (BMZ) aims to counteract this by improving knowledge- and science-based policy-making. GIZ is coordinating the in- itiative’s activities with selected partner countries on behalf of BMZ. akzente 1/19 9 ) T H G I R , 9 . P ( 1 6 D N E T S E W / S E G A M I Y T T E G , ) E L D D I M , 9 . P ( H B M G A I D E M X T N E C S A / S E G A M I Y T T E G , ) T F E L , 9 . P ( S O T O H P E V I T A E R C G R E B M O O L B / S E G A M I Y T T E G , ) 8 . P ( M O C . . E B O D A K C O T S / V O L R O G L L I R I K : S O T O H P

GIZ delivers results worldwide 3.4 million people have participated directly in political processes. Lower levels of greenhouse gases: emissions have been reduced by 36 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. 970,000 people have taken up jobs. responsible then reported on all results to which their projects had contributed, and recorded these in a survey portal using a question- naire. We then check the results with support from our Sectoral Department and find comparisons in order to make abstract figures more tangible. For example, 351 million people worldwide received better health insurance – that is more people than live in the USA. What is new in 2018? We have developed our own web portal. With the help of key questions, projects were able to record their results digitally for the first time. This will enable us to collect and publish data every year in future. 2018 was also the first year in which we managed to verify and publish climate-related data. Why is that so difficult? GIZ’s work often has an indirect impact on climate. For example, GIZ advises governments on how to achieve their nationally determined contributions, or prepares feasibility studies for partners. The resulting projects, such as the construction and operation of facilities for renewable energy production, then reduce or prevent emissions of greenhouse gases. Between 2015 and 2017, global output was reduced by around 36 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents thanks to GIZ’s contribution. That is more than the annual emissions of Berlin. Graphics and selected animations: akzente.giz.de/en Further information and background: www.giz.de/results LENNART BENDFELDT-HUTHMANN is a planning officer in the Evaluation Unit. Before joining his current team, he was responsible for monitoring in a peacebuilding project in Sri Lanka. akzente 1/19 11

The ABC of security KARIMA HOSSEINI The 33-year-old Afghan stands in front of her police station in Bamiyan. She only learned to read and write as an adult. She had no opportunity to do so during the civil war and Taliban rule. She is now committed to helping other women.

The peaks of the Hindu Kush mountains on the horizon – the view from Bamiyan, the capital of the province of the same name in central Afghanistan recruits are also unable to read and write. They often come from so- cially disadvantaged households. Instead of going to school as chil- dren, they had to work to contribute to family income. The police force is a popular career choice for people with no schooling in Af- ghanistan. In return, they have to accept a high level of risk: in many parts of the country, police officers are injured or killed in Taliban attacks. Karima Hosseini grew up during the civil war of the 1990s. There were hardly any functioning primary schools at that time. This was then followed by the Taliban regime, which prohibited education for women. If a woman broke the Taliban’s rules, Hosseini remem- bers, she was beaten on the streets. She decided to join the police seven years ago. A woman in her neighbourhood tried to take her own life because of her husband’s violence. With no female police officers to turn to, the woman was desperate. The neighbour did not want to confide in a strange man. Giving women a voice ‘That experience was a turning point for me,’ remembers Hosseini. ‘I wanted to give women in Bamiyan a voice and help them solve their everyday problems.’ Being a female police officer also has its advan- tages in Afghanistan’s conservative culture, she says: ‘It’s easier for us to call on households in which violence is a daily occurrence. Men would not be able to gain access as easily.’ Hosseini’s family supported akzente 1/19 15 AFGHANISTAN Capital: Kabul / Population: approx. 35 million / GDP per capita: USD 586 (1) / Economic growth: 2.6 per cent (2) / Human Development Index ranking: 168 (out of 189) Source: (1, 2) World Bank 2017 Bamiyan Kabul AFGHANISTAN Being able to read and write are essential skills for professional police work. GIZ is supporting efforts to raise literacy levels in Afghanistan on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. www.giz.de/en/worldwide/358.html Contact: Georg Fritzenwenger, georg.fritzenwenger@giz.de

The ABC of security In fact, dealing with civilians respectfully is a core element of the special curriculum of the follow-on police course developed by GIZ. The security situation in Afghanistan often requires police officers to carry out military tasks, with clear orders and strict compliance. This can make them seem harsh. ‘The more inconsiderate and incompe- tent the police is perceived as being, the less people trust it – and therefore the state. And when mistrust of the state takes hold, this opens the door to radical, armed groups,’ says Georg Fritzenwenger, who is responsible for the project. Well-trained police officers are therefore an important factor in ensuring stability in the country, which is still fighting Taliban militia in many provinces. Bamiyan, however, is a few steps ahead of other regions. Thanks to its stability, the police there can focus on training. Security deployment during elections The percentage of women who have completed the literacy course is still low, at two per cent. But the potential for social change offered by the young female police officers is high, as Gulsoom Hosseini knows. She has been coordinating the police literacy course in Bami- yan for four years. The 28-year-old has a watchful eye and wears sub- tle makeup and gold bangles under the sleeves of her uniform. She attended the police academy in Kabul, is now studying law and wants to be a role model. ‘We women should be able to work in all areas of public life as easily as men, whether in private organisations or in government,’ she says in a determined voice. The fact that women already play an important role in society in Bamiyan was demon- strated during the national parliamentary elections in October 2018: around 500 women, most of them illiterate, were trained by female police officers – who themselves had already undergone training – to carry out body searches of female voters in front of polling stations. They therefore contributed to ensuring that the elections ran smoothly. Police officer Karima Hosseini is, in any case, happy to have found her calling. The monthly salary of 8,000 afghanis (almost EUR 100) is a solid income in Bamiyan. Is there anything she would like? ‘Safety, security and education for all Afghans,’ she says without hesitation. ‘My primary goal is to serve my fellow human beings. To do that, I’ll keep working for the police until they throw me out.’ She laughs and points to the empty office chair, which belongs to the officer in charge of the police station. ‘My goal is to sit there one day. The first thing I would do as head of police would be to introduce courses in reading and writing for all women in the city, to strength- en their position in society.’ — MARIAN BREHMER is a freelance journalist with a passion for culture in the Islamic world, from Turkey to India. He studied Iranian and Persian language and literature. Currently based in Istanbul, Brehmer has made several trips to Afghanistan for akzente. akzente 1/19 17 INTERVIEW GEORG FRITZENWENGER Manager of the training and literacy programme for the Afghan police Mr Fritzenwenger, what has the literacy programme achieved so far? It is the only GIZ programme to be active in all 34 Afghan prov- inces. On completion, graduates receive an accredited certificate from the Ministry of Education that is equivalent to year three of school. The increase in confi- dence and professionalism is another critical factor. How does coordination work when the programme has such a wide reach? The flexibility and accessibility of literacy courses is key. The police officers take part in the classes directly at their work- place during working hours. This saves time and resources. Courses are currently being held at 2,400 police stations and also at road checkpoints in rural areas. When there is a demand for courses, the re- gional coordinator contacts GIZ. Once a classroom has been found, we immediately supply furniture and teaching materials. What challenges do you face? In unstable regions in particu- lar, where the police have to perform military tasks, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that you are there to serve the public and ensure safety and security. That is why partici- pants on our courses develop better awareness. In the long term, we hope to have a posi- tive effect on the stability of the country. THE PROJECT IN FIGURES 36,000 students currently attend 4,800 courses organised by the literacy programme. 25,000 certificates have already been awarded to graduates of the basic course throughout Afghanistan.

REPORT Gathering momentum The electric miracle, smart traffic lights and a dialogue about future mobility – a travel report p. 20 OVERVIE W How does the Middle Kingdom work? Insights into everyday life away from the superlatives and the megaprojects p. 24 ESSAY China’s meteoric rise The country’s ascent is unstoppable. China expert Eberhard Sand- schneider explains the reasons behind the phenomenon. p. 26 VIE WS Five perspectives Experts on China explain their views on the emerging global power. p. 32 INFOGRAPHIC Faster, higher, further China in facts and figures p. 34 INTERVIE W ‘China is hungry for success’ Professor Zheng Han on strategic projects and a people eager to move forward p. 36 BACKGROUND Intercultural bridge-builders Transformation and diversity of GIZ’s activities in China, explained by Country Director Thorsten Giehler p. 38 EXAMPLES OF GIZ’S WORK New approaches and partners Five examples of projects that illustrate the breadth of GIZ’s work p. 39

Report Gathering momentum The electric miracle of Shenzhen, smart traffic lights in Jinan and a dialogue about future mobility – a trip through China with Guido Beermann, State Secre­ tary at the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Text CHRISTIAnE KüHL Photos DAVE TACOn Behind Guido Beermann a yel- low bus hums and rolls practi- cally noiselessly into the depot of the Shenzhen Eastern Bus Company. Beermann squats down to look at the two black boxes that have powered a traffic revolution in the Southern Chinese metropolis – the batteries fitted below the electric bus. They are incon- spicuous, but so reliable and powerful that Shenzhen has converted its entire bus fleet and most of the city’s taxis to electric power within three years, in order to reduce air pollution. Here alone more than 20,000 ve­ hicles with alternative engine technology are on the roads. By way of comparison – in summer 2018, a total of 186 electric buses were operating in Germany. At the depot in the east of the city, the Shenzhen Eastern Bus Company vehicles are serviced, repaired and above all charged. An ideal place for Beermann, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Trans­ port and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), to visit in order to find out more about the en­ ergy revolution in China’s transport sector. He is accompanied by a German delegation, which is holding talks at various points with partners in Chinese ministries and busi­ nesses – sustainable mobility concepts are one point on the agenda. The Shenzhen Eastern Bus Company has not only converted to electro­mobility. It has also introduced flexible local public transport. In addition to the fleet of white electric buses that serve fixed bus routes, it offers yellow electric buses which anyone can hire online provided they have 25 pas­ sengers. ‘Lots of people in Shenzhen live a long way away from their workplace. A group of colleagues can hire a bus together to get to and from work,’ explains Manag­ ing Director Lu Rong­yuan. The passengers effectively organise their own bus routes. The service is in great demand – there are a total of 900 ‘demand­driven bus routes’. Two staff members with tablet comput­ ers manage the rosters for the 160 regular buses serving fixed routes from this depot. ‘Our Smart Traffic Cloud makes it possible. We can use it to order every bus to be here at a certain time with one click,’ explains Lu. A steering system like this is important because buses in China do not follow a timetable. The system stipulates how fre­ quently the buses run, from every few min­ utes to every half hour in more isolated sub­ urbs. The new system has made logistics much faster and easier to handle, says Lu, compared to the complicated system it re­ placed, with its timetables and paper lists. The visit to the bus company in Shen­ zhen is part of the Sino­German dialogue on promoting a mobility and fuel strategy for China. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is helping facilitate this dialogue. This is the first and only commission BMVI has so far awarded GIZ anywhere in the world, says Sandra Retzer, Head of Sustain­ able Mobility, Energy and Infrastructure at GIZ’s Beijing Office. In both countries, transport policy aims to balance the imperatives of climate change mitigation, the need to reduce air pollution and the desire to secure energy supplies while meeting people’s expectations of affordable, safe mobility. This is a chal­ lenge – and it is hoped that the dialogue will produce some solutions. It is a dialogue that benefits both sides. The quality of life can be improved, especially in towns and cities, and both states will be able to attain the cli­ mate targets laid out in the Paris Agreement. In terms of electro­mobility, China is well ahead of Germany. For years China’s Government has subsidised the purchase of akzente 1/19 21

Report CHINA WIKI Capital: Beijing / Population: 1.386 billion / GDP per capita: USD 8,827 / Economic growth: 6.5 per cent / Human Development Index ranking: 86 (out of 189) / CO2 emissions per capita: 6.6 tonnes Sources: World Bank 2017/2018, International Energy Agency Beijing CHINA Shenzhen ny too at some point, he tells State Secretary Beermann. Wang is one of China’s younger generation. Having studied abroad, he ef­ fortlessly speaks fluent English with his visi­ tors. At the end of their trip through China’s cities and over China’s roads, Guido Beer­ mann and his team have a wealth of new ideas to take home to Germany with them. ‘Even if not everything that is happening here can be transferred to Germany, it is good for both countries to discuss mobility, sustainability and artificial intelligence openly and intensively. GIZ plays an impor­ tant part,’ sums up the State Secretary. One point that was raised at several junctures during their visit, and that is a much greater issue in Germany, is data protection and data privacy. This is also part of the Sino­ German dialogue. It is a dialogue among equal partners, not a one­way street. — IN WORDS ‘Transport is one of the most important sectors of our work. There are lots of opportunities to cooperate here.’ CHRISTIANE KÜHL has lived in Beijing and Shanghai since early 2000. From China, the journalist reports for German media on economic, environmental and energy issues. SANDRA RETZER, DAVE TACON works as a photographer in Shanghai. For his reports, he has won the Walkley Award for HEAD OF SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY, ENERGY journalists, Australia’s equivalent to the Pulitzer AND INFRASTRUCTURE, GIZ CHINA SANDRA.RETZER@GIZ.DE Prize. search community, the Government and industry to work together to promote elec- tro-mobility. Liu Xiaoshi, Deputy Secretary- General of China EV100, surprises the Ger- man visitors with an announcement about the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing: one of the two host areas of the skiing disci- plines, Zhangjiakou, has been planned as a low-carbon Olympic area. To this end, 1,800 fuel cell buses, taxis and logistics vehi- cles will be used. An exciting dialogue between equal partners Beermann in turn reports on German indus- try’s projects in the field of hydrogen trucks and locomotives. During the talks, it quick­ ly becomes clear that both sides are facing the same challenges: how can the costs of fuel cells be reduced? How can renewable energy be best used for electro­mobility? Beermann and Liu agree that they would like to continue their personal dialogue, es­ pecially in the field of alternative engine technology, including fuel cell technology. The next stop on the group’s itinerary takes it to the mobility service provider Didi Chuxing. Like the US company Uber, it op­ erates an app­based ride­sharing system, and also develops digital solutions in the field of transport management. The young compa­ ny demonstrates on vast screens how it uses big data to make optimum use of its drivers. That is possible because in China it is fairly easy to access data and because data protec­ tion and privacy, as it is defined in the West, is not a feature. Didi has spread a digital net across Beijing and can see in every individu­ al sector whether enough of its drivers are available to meet demand. Where this is not the case, they can be withdrawn from areas where demand is weaker and reassigned. Smart traffic lights developed by Didi have reduced traffic jams in the megacity of Jinan by 20 per cent. The system automatically adapts the traffic light phases to bring them into line with traffic volume, explains a spokesperson. Host Wang Ben, Didi Chux­ ing’s Vice President for International Busi­ ness, flew all round the world to find out more on the ground about the traffic prob­ lems that various major cities are facing. Wang would like to get involved in Germa­ akzente 1/19 23

The future in figures IN TRANSITION In China, the family is very important. For many centuries, four generations would live under one roof. With industrialisation, increasing numbers of people moved to the country’s towns and cities, breaking this model. The one-child policy introduced in 1979 under Deng Xiaoping also changed family struc- tures. What was originally intended as a temporary measure remained the country’s official policy for over 35 years. The one-child policy has now been repealed. It is thought to have reduced population growth by up to 300 million people. Today China is home to almost 1.4 billion people. Its birth rate, at 1.6 children per woman, is significantly lower than the USA (1.9) and France (2.0). In a great many year groups there are significantly more boys than girls (115:100). — Overview Women are catching up GENDER In China, women have tradition- ally played a subordinate role to men. Although they enjoyed influence in the family, they played no appreciable role in society, business or politics. One limiting factor was the practice of binding women’s feet, which persisted into the 20th century and restricted their physical radius of action. The bones in young girls’ feet were broken and their feet tightly bound, damaging them irreparably and causing extreme deformity. But that is now all in the past, and women’s roles are changing radically. According to official Chinese figures, more than 43 per cent of the workforce today is female. Women account for about a quarter of the National People’s Congress – and their ranks are swelling year by year. Since 2018, female students have actually accounted for more than half of all students studying for a Bachelor’s degree (52 per cent). China also has by far the largest number of self-made female billionaires in the world. In 2017, there were nine in China – and only five in the USA. — A lack of transparency IN THE DARK China is extremely engaged on all continents and is steadily expand- ing its international cooperation. There are, however, no official figures that would reveal the scale of this cooperation, because the country has not yet signed up to the International Aid Transparency Initiative. While many organisations get good marks for their publications relating to their own business activities, the responsi- ble ministry in China (Ministry of Trade) is ranked last of 45 donors. Only the United Arab Emirates and Japan are deemed to demonstrate a similar lack of transparency. — ) T H G I R , 5 2 . P ( I X A T / S E G A M I Y T T E G , ) P O T , 5 2 . P ( E C N A I L L A E R U T C I P , ) 4 2 . P ( C A P A I S A / S E G A M I Y T T E G : S O T O H P akzente 1/19 25

Essay China’s meteoric rise The USA emerged from the Cold War as the clear and only victor. But now, 25 years later, it is being seriously challenged by China. The USA is still considered the global power, but China’s rise is unstoppable. China expert Professor Eberhard Sandschneider explains why, and how the West should respond. Illustrations: Florian Bayer O pinions about China diverge. There is scarce- ly another country in the world that provokes such controversial debate in the West. Enthusiasm and scepti- cism have for decades broadly balanced each other out in an intensive and controversial debate. This was already true in the thirty years following the victory of the Commu- nist Party in 1949. But debates have only become more intensive and sometimes more contentious as a result of the rise of China, which began at the end of the 1970s under Deng Xiaoping. China’s impressive economic develop- ment has turned the Western world upside down. When, at the Davos World Eco- nomic Forum, the leader of a Communist system announces to an astounded audience IN THIS ARTICLE 1. IN TRANSITION How the global order and China’s role in it are changing 2. IN CURRENT DEALINGS Where the Western world will have to overcome its expectations and fears 3. IN FUTURE How the West should deal with China’s unstoppable rise akzente 1/19 27 of top managers that he intends to cham- pion free world trade, while the American President, the representative of the so-called free world, does exactly the opposite, it is apparent that parameters have shifted. But China’s rise has not taken place in a vacuum. It also marks a geopolitical revo- lution, which appears to be replacing the Western-dominated world order. This revo- lution means that we are faced with the ex- tremely difficult task of correctly interpret- ing China’s rise, to ensure that we do not make mistakes in the way we deal with this country and its growing global influence. But over the last 40 years, the West’s view of China

Essay ‘China is in the process of redefin- ing its role in the world and chal- lenging the West- ern economic model and way of life.’ No compromises But what are the reasons for China’s strength and success, and what are its result- ant global ambitions? To put it in very gen- eral terms, China’s secret is the consistent application of a principle Deng Xiaoping, the father of China’s reform policy, ex- plained using the following metaphor: it does not matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice. The top priority is to retain the sover- eignty of the Chinese state. China will ac- cept no compromises on Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan or the South China Sea. Neither is it willing to cooperate in this respect. The second strategic priority is political stability. Anyone aiming to negotiate with China about the role of dissidents, human rights policy, opening up the Chinese market or the rate of reform, will find themselves fac- ing partners who will only move once they can be sure that their own political system will not suffer as a result. The third priority is to hold course for economic growth. This is essential for the legitimacy of the Communist Party. This is another area in which China will not coun- tenance compromise, in spite of all the problems that the unprecedented growth of the last 40 years has brought. The fourth, resulting priority is to consistently build China’s global influence. China is in the process of redefining its role in the world and challenging the Western economic model and way of life. Under President Xi Jinping, China’s Communist Party is pursuing a strategy of pushing back the West, in particular the USA. Based on strategic patience, pragma- tism, economic performance and disruptive technology, the country aims to become the most powerful and influential country in the world by the mid­21st century at the latest. no Chinese politician will admit it openly (yet), but the sig­ nals are clear for all to see. In the West, we apparently don’t want to see. We brand all pointers in this di­ rection propaganda, and fail to grasp China’s growing self­assertiveness, with all akzente 1/19 29 the consequences thereof. Global ambitions Three examples illustrate this clearly: China’s increas­ ingly dominant role in Africa has been irritating Western observ­ ers for years, and is a major challenge for Western development cooperation. Without imposing political conditions, China is investing in infrastructure meas­ ures that have one main purpose – to meet China’s own demand for raw materials. This policy nevertheless has spin-offs that are beneficial for African economies and Chi- nese investment is thus welcome. Occasion- ally voiced criticism that China is acting like an old-time colonial ruler and that too few local workers are employed are of no more than secondary importance. Examples like Zambia, for instance, which has seen uprisings against working conditions in Chinese companies and criticism of Chi- nese takeovers of local companies, in no way call into question the overall picture. The position is similar with China’s New Silk Road project. Since President Xi Jinping first announced the One Belt, One Road Initiative, or as it is now more ele- gantly termed the Belt and Road Initiative, in 2013, it has become a major geopoliti-

Essay cal project. With a gigantic infrastructure network, tapping into new markets and creating new value chains, China is en- deavouring to extend its political influ- ence, and increasingly also its military in- fluence beyond Central Asia right up to Europe, and to become an antipole to the USA’s claim to be the leading world power. There is no foreign-policy initiative that more clearly illustrates China’s claim to global power. US President Donald Trump’s efforts to stem China’s growing influence with the help of a trade war will do nothing to change this. This non-military war is about far more than America’s balance of trade deficit. It is about the entire spectrum of the rivalry between two major powers, who are struggling for supremacy in the spheres of security, economics and technology in the 21st century. This conflict would not be re- solved by ending the trade war. The ques- tion as to how the conflict can be shaped and facilitated is crucial for economic coop- eration and peaceful coexistence, and for re- solving the fundamental global issues facing us in the first half of the 21st century. In conclusion, China’s rise is unstoppable, assuming it does not suffer any major inter- nal crisis or war. The latter scenario is an op- tion that is certainly being discussed in the USA, but less in Europe. A scenario of this sort cannot be entirely discounted: even in Ancient Greece the ‘Thucydides Trap’ was a known concept – a military conflict be- tween a rising and a waning power. Cur- rently there are no real signs of either an in- ternal crisis or a military conflict. Unfore- seen events could, however, reverse this situation at any time. We would then all be well advised to consider China’s rise as legit- imate and as a fact. In future China will be at least as important for Germany and for Europe as the USA has been in the past. — EBERHARD SANDSCHNEIDER is Professor of Chinese politics and international relations at Berlin’s Freie Universität. His re- search focuses on Chinese foreign policy, trans- atlantic relations, international relations in the Asian-Pacific region, comparative transformation research and the political systems in China and Taiwan. akzente 1/19 31

Dagmar Schmidt, Chair of the German-Chinese parliamentary group ‘I believe that Western hegemony is coming to an end.’ Views ‘Chinese society has undergone phenomenal change and tackled poverty.’ If China is to play a positive and progres- sive role post-Western hegemony, then the reaction of the leading nations to China’s rise will immensely shape its deci- sion­making. The fact is that China is much more malleable than it appears, but it needs to preserve an image of sovereignty for both Chinese politicians and the public. In fact, the Western media’s often one­sided and oversimplified coverage of China has ironi­ cally reduced their ability to be part of that positive influence. It’s easier to influence others when they feel you view them fairly. It’s easier to point out their flaws when they don’t think that everything you say comes from a place of hostility and racism. ‘We have to concern ourselves much more intensively with China’s domestic, foreign and human rights policy.’ and norms and be able to oppose this where necessary. Barbara Unmüßig, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Germany and China are connected by close dialogue. The German- Chinese parliamentary group would like to extend and support the good relations between the two nations. It ad- dresses issues relating to human rights and the rule of law as well as fair economic rela- tions. Chinese society has undergone phe- nomenal change and tackled poverty. Chi- na’s global engagement and its new role on the international stage also pose new chal- lenges for the EU. Together with China, we are committed to strengthening the rule- based international order. ) M O T T O B , 3 3 . P R E L L E K A N I T T E B , ) P O T , 3 3 . P ( L L O N K E I S U S , ) T F E L , 3 3 . P ( G N A H N E R , ) T H G I R , 2 3 . P ( G R U B N E P P O K R O G E R G , ) T F E L , 2 3 . P ( N A B R U O C R A M : S O T O H P Helen Feng, Chinese singer China’s behaviour is contradictory. It places emphasis on multilateralism, yet interests are mainly imple- mented on a bilateral basis. It promises eco- nomic liberalisation, but pursues a national- istic economic policy. With respect to cli- mate policy, there is a strong focus on expanding renewable energy at home, but abroad China finances various new coal- fired power stations, with a focus on fossil­ based infrastructure. We have to concern ourselves much more intensively with Chi­ na’s domestic, foreign and human rights policy. China will have a major impact on the world order – we have to understand how this will affect our democratic rights akzente 1/19 33

2 million 2017 Patents China’s innovative strength is also reflected in the number of patents it holds, which rose from just over 330,000 approved patents in 2008 to more than two million in 2017. While lagging behind the USA with almost three million patents, China is roughly on a par with Japan and significantly ahead of Germany (around 660,000). Source: www.wipo.int 330,000 2008 CO2 emissions China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for almost 22 per cent of global output. This puts it far ahead of the USA with around 13 per cent. Measured per capita, however, China’s emissions (around 6.6 tonnes) are less than half those of the USA (15 tonnes). Sources: World Resources Institute, Statista 13% 22% C hin a U S A Renewable energy 100 billion China is the world’s biggest investor in renewable energy by far. In 2016, it spent over USD 100 billion on the expansion of renewable energy in China, around twice as much as the USA, and more than the USA and EU combined. Source: World Economic Forum Electro-mobility 4.6 million In 2017, China announced its plans to launch 4.6 million electric vehicles on the market by 2020, thus upping the pressure on other automotive nations. China is also a market leader in the lithium batteries needed for electric vehicles. Source: World Economic Forum 8.5% Infrastructure Since 1992, China has invested an average of 8.5 per cent of its gross domestic product in infrastructure expansion – more than any other country globally, and more than the USA and EU combined. Between 2007 and 2020, 240 new airports and 139,000 kilometres of motorway and high-speed road have been built or are in the pipeline. Source: McKinsey akzente 1/19 35

Interview ‘China is hungry for success’ Zheng Han is a Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Sino-German School for Postgraduate Studies at Tongji University in Shanghai. In his opinion, the Chinese Government is acting extremely strategically in implementing economic reforms, and the Chinese people are eager to move forward. Interview: Friederike Bauer China has developed its econ- omy at a rapid rate over the past three decades. What are the main features of this change? On the economic side, China has at- tracted investors due to low-cost factors of production such as labour and land. Heavy investments in infrastructure projects have made industry clusters along the coastal re- gions more efficient. The increasing in- come of the population has continuously raised the consumption level of the vast do- mestic market. Politically, the Chinese Gov- ernment has designed its economic and in- dustrial policies in an extremely strategic way and has been effective in their imple- mentation. Could you give an example of this strate- gic approach? The Chinese railway and automotive industries are good examples. Every time the country has faced an economic down- turn triggered by external effects such as the financial crisis in 2008, huge stimuli have been introduced to maintain growth. How- ever, the Chinese economy is at a crossroads now. Transitioning to a more service- and market-driven economy is the next stage of its development. Some critics consider China to be a little obtrusive when it comes to big infra- structure projects, particularly in devel- ) 6 3 . P ( E T A V I R P : O T O H P oping countries. How is that viewed in- ternally? Large infrastructure projects are ex- tremely important for China. For one, they can have a direct and effective impact on economic growth by securing further in- vestments and jobs. And secondly, they are a good way of demonstrating political will for progress and showcasing success. Therefore, they are a preferred instrument of the Chi- nese Government with multiple advantages. Nevertheless, over-investment in infrastruc- ture can also lead to debt issues. This risk has become more obvious recently. China is already the world’s second strongest economy. How would you cate- gorise China’s economy today? As an emerging market, industrialised economy or something else? The Chinese economy is a ‘hybrid’ of an emerging market and an industrialised economy as it shows characteristics of both. For example, in internet sectors such as fin- tech and e-commerce, China is already more advanced than some industrialised na- tions. Some sectors such as health care and education, on the other hand, still show characteristics of an emerging economy. Where do you see China’s particular strengths and comparative advantages? In recent decades, China has become the manufacturing base for the world in many areas. The size of the Chinese domes- tic market is helping producers in many in- dustries to achieve economies of scale and leverage this advantage in international competition. Decision-making processes, at both the governmental and corporate levels, are much shorter in China, which leads to higher agility in dealing with challenges and opportunities. Culturally, Chinese people are extremely hardworking and hungry for success. How would you characterise China’s po- tential for innovation in comparison to other countries? China is doing well in consumer and engineering-related fields of innovation. However, it is still lagging behind in some science-driven fields of innovation such as the pharmaceutical industry. China could unleash much higher potential for innova- tion if the country was able to improve its education system or attract world-class tal- ent to work in the country. Would you say the Chinese people are at ease with the rapid changes they have ex- perienced recently? And if so, why? Continuous changes in the past have become ‘normal’ for the Chinese people. Most of the changes have positively influ- enced their lives. Therefore, they are posi- tive about the future in general and expect positive changes to continue to happen. This, however, puts pressure on Chinese leaders. akzente 1/19 37

Examples of GIZ’s work New approaches and partners China is a country of superlatives. In no other country does GIZ engage in such a wide variety of activities with so many different commissioning parties. Five examples Clear trans- formation China, a developing country just 15 years ago, is now an established global player. And GIZ’s work has changed accordingly. As a partner for sustainable development, GIZ supports China in achieving a balance between economic development, social justice and climate protection. Fur- ther focal points include improving economic relations, supporting the political dialogue of both countries and intercultural mediation. — 2017 GREEN LIGHT The opening of the Sino- German Center for Sustainable Develop- ment in Beijing in May 2017 marked the start of a new chapter in development work. Both countries rely on each other’s strength, with a view to contributing jointly to development in third countries. In Africa, the aim is to create local jobs. — Preparing to meet standards FINANCES The new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has tasked GIZ with developing infrastructure projects in Asia. China is the only country in which GIZ works with three major multinational development banks: AIIB, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Develop­ ment Bank. The projects aim to fulfil criteria for international funding. — Fight against smog ENVIRONMENT Run on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the project promoting German-Chinese cooperation on sustainable urban development aims to improve air quality and quality of life. GIZ supports interministerial cooperation and organises meetings of mayors from both countries. Municipal teams and architects receive training on climate-adapted urban planning. — Focus on trainees EDUCATION The Chinese Government is seeking to reform its education system using the German dual vocational training system as a model. On behalf of three major cities (Jincheng in central China, Zigong in the south-west and Panjin in the north-east), GIZ is supporting efforts to adapt the German model to local conditions. Training courses are being offered in the field of, for example, mechatronics and geriatric nursing. The latter is a new vocational field in China. Up to now, older people have been cared for by their families. In the high­growth automotive industry, training partnerships exist with manufacturers such as Audi, Daimler, Porsche and VW. — akzente 1/19 39 Lawyers on the move LAW On behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, GIZ is supporting German- Chinese dialogue on the rule of law between justice ministers from both countries. This work is flanked by BMZ’s Legal Cooperation Programme. It includes the provision of advice on legislative projects, training for judges and the facilitation of exchange between 11,000 legal practitioners from both countries. —

A BRUSH WITH SUCCESS TRADITIONAL CRAFTWORK Delicate hand-made brooms form a work of art covering the floor of a cooperative in Maozhuang in north-eastern China. The products are in demand all over the world – especially in South Korea and Japan. Exports generate over 20 mil- lion yuan (around USD 3 million) every year. Maozhuang in the province of Hebei is fa- mous for this traditional craft. GIZ has been working on projects in China for several dec- ades. On behalf of the German Federal Government, it has been supporting the country’s ‘open-door’ and reform policies since the 1980s. Photo: picture alliance/Photoshot

Four-legged therapist FOUR- LEGGED THERAPIST In eastern Ukraine, specially trained dogs are helping to treat disabled children and those traumatised by conflict. TEXT PHILIPP HEDEMANN PHOTOS OLEKSANDR TECHYNSKYI

her colleagues felt that the young girl’s case was particularly urgent and that she would almost certainly benefit from the therapy. The war has left many children traumatised The fact that this method of treatment is available at all in eastern Ukraine is partly due to the dog’s owner, Alexey Birintsev. When he had Crass trained as a search and rescue dog to look for survivors buried under rubble in the aftermath of bomb attacks, he discovered that dogs can also be used to help traumatised victims recover. The war in eastern Ukraine has left many people with physical and men- tal injuries. Fighting has continued just a few kilometres to the east ever since early 2014. The port city is not immune from the war be- tween the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists. Tens of thou- sands have taken refuge there since the conflict began, and you can often hear the sound of fighting along the nearby front. ‘Sadly, many children in Mariupol know what it is like to lose a loved one. So many of them would benefit from trauma therapy with dogs, but until recently there was nothing available here,’ explains Birintsev. ‘The idea of bringing together dog owners and psychologists in eastern Ukraine and creating therapy teams emerged in talks with the Ukrainian Red Cross in Mariupol and the local association of Top: The mutual devotion between six-year-old Arina and the labrador Crass at the therapy session is plain for all to see. Bottom: Alexey Birintsev thought it would be a good idea to train his dog to help young children with their therapy. As the session with Miroslav shows, the results can be quite astonishing. akzente 1/19 45

‘Since Alina started cuddling and playing with Hillary, she has allowed people to get closer to her as well.’ LUDMILA BYLITKO, a psychologist at the children’s therapy clinic For more information about the remarkable success of this pilot project in eastern Ukraine, see the video on the akzente website: akzente.giz.de/en along with her Samoyed, Hillary. Samoyeds are a Nordic breed. They have been used for many years to pull sledges and as herding dogs. Alina was a bit afraid when she was first introduced to Hillary, but during the second visit the little girl finally began to open up to her therapists through interaction with Hillary. ‘Since she started cuddling and playing with Hillary, she has al- lowed people to get closer to her as well. The dog stimulates every part of her brain. That explains why Alina is making such good pro- gress with her motor skills. She even interacts now with other chil- dren. She’s more confident, calmer and no longer exhibits auto-ag- gressive behaviour,’ observes Bylitko. ‘Perhaps we would have got there eventually even without a therapy dog, but certainly not in such a short time.’ Since she learned how to help people, Hillary has completely changed not just Alina’s life but that of her owner, too. ‘Obviously, dogs can’t diagnose what is wrong with a person or provide therapy on their own. They’ll never be able to replace psychologists. But dogs and humans can make a great team and achieve tremendous results very quickly,’ says Lakhno. She comes with Hillary once a week to the therapy sessions in the play room. A course of dog therapy gen- erally lasts several months but may be shorter or longer depending on the child’s needs. akzente 1/19 47 Lakhno was so amazed and excited to see the progress made by the children after just a few sessions with Hillary that she has decided to study psychology part-time while continuing to work for now as a hairdresser. Once she completes the course, she hopes to make a ca- reer out of the work she currently performs as a volunteer. ‘I hope that will encourage other owners to train their dogs in the same way,’ she concludes. ’There are so many young boys and girls in eastern Ukraine who could benefit.’ — As a freelance journalist, PHILIPP HEDEMANN has reported from over 20 countries – on many occasions from Ukraine. OLEKSANDR TECHYNSKYI is a Ukrainian photographer and film-maker. His work includes a video record of the Maidan protests in Kiev.

A promising harvest ‘We invest the profits in our children’s future.’ KARIM AZEES (35) and his wife cultivate four hectares of land in Afolu Ise, which is located in the federal state of Ekiti in south-western Nigeria. As a child I spent a lot of time in my father’s fields and his woodland. I usually went to find him as soon as school finished. Even back then he was growing cocoa. It was always taken for granted that I would run the farm when he was no long­ er with us. My brothers and sisters have also be­ come farmers. Until I went to a Farmer Business School in 2014, I learned everything from my father. At the school, I re­ alised how important it is to build a strong foundation of knowledge. I learned a lot, and I started to plant new cocoa trees regularly and cut back the old ones. There are only two or three fruits on those old trees, and the yield is around 300 kilograms per hectare. I plan to replace them gradually using hybrid varieties. These are bred by crossing two high­yielding parents. The idea is that the offspring inherit their positive characteristics. The first of these new plants are already burst- ing with fruit, so I expect to double the crop. I have also learned how important it is to leave the correct distance be- tween each tree and why it makes sense to grow other crops as well as cocoa. I have planted manioc, kola trees and oil palms. Step by step I am transforming the land into a modern busi- ness. My wife and I have invested our initial profits in the fu- ture of our four children, who are aged between one and 15. We want them to have a good education. We decided to send them to private schools. That costs 126,000 naira (around EUR 300) a year. Over half of that goes on my eldest daugh- ter's school fees. Without the Farmer Business School, we would not have been able to make that important invest- ment.’ — akzente 1/19 49

A promising harvest FINDING WAyS OUT OF DESPERATE POVERTy Western and central Africa produce over 70 per cent of all the world’s cocoa. Also known as ‘brown gold’, cocoa is the most important source of income for over two million smallholders. However, world market prices fluctuate con- siderably and have dropped from USD 5,000 per metric ton in 1980 to around USD 2,300 in early 2019. For smallhold- ers that is barely enough to survive on. On average, they have to live off less than USD 2 per person per day. A pro- gramme entitled Sustainable Smallholder Agri-Business in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo has paved the way for one possible route out of poverty. GIZ has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to implement the initiative together with over 50 international and local partners in Africa. Farmer Business Schools (FBS) are at the heart of the programme. The schools teach farmers how to produce cocoa and other basic foods more efficiently. In turn, this enables them to earn more money from their crops. The programme’s business service centres can supply seeds, fer- tiliser, herbicides, pesticides and expert advice, as well as putting farmers in touch with lenders and providing market information. Farmers also learn how to generate other sources of income. The lessons learned are put to good use in 21 other German development cooperation programmes in Africa. The take-up has been impressive, and in 2018 a pan-African master trainer programme was launched to meet the demand for FBS courses. — Contact: Annemarie Matthess, annemarie.matthess@giz.de www.ssab-africa.net THE PROJECT IN FIGURES 1.1 million smallholders in 19 African countries have completed a training course with the Farmer Business School programme. One third of the 300,000 FBS trainees in Nigeria were women. The project contributes to these United Nations Sus- tainable Development Goals (SDGs): ‘Nowadays, farmers can offer services as well.’ ‘I work for the Agricultural Development Programme run by the Ministry of Agriculture in Ekiti State. In 2013, I was chosen to at- tend a course for agricultural trainers. To begin with, I was sceptical, because I had already attended several courses. This time, however, I quickly realised that the course was different. It was very wide-rang- ing and challenging. It lasted nearly three weeks. As well as attending lessons, we had to solve group tasks and submit exercises. On several occasions, I had to carry on working until one o’clock at night. Since the end of the course, I have trained 320 female farmers and 621 male farmers on three different programmes. The atmosphere is friendly. Sometimes I’m asked for advice on personal matters, too. What I particularly like is seeing people come up with their own ideas once they complete the training. To give you an example, one group in the village of Kajola set up a small mill to process their palm oil fruit. We encourage farmers to grow other crops as well as cocoa. That creates new agricultural markets, and it means that cooperatives can offer services as well – large-scale pest eradication, for example, or advising other farmers. Even I have improved my budgeting sys- tem. I never used to bother keeping accounts, but now I keep a care- ful record of my income and expenditure. That way I have been able to set up my own manioc and maize farm. I used my first profits to buy a car. It’s not a luxury, though. It makes it easier for me to deliver training courses in more remote villages.’ — OLUBUNMI AJAYI (43) is a trainer with three different programmes – Farmer Business School, Good Agricultural Practice and Cooperative Business School. akzente 1/19 51

Info GOOD READS from around the world ONE PART WOMAN Southern India, 1946: Kali and Poona have been married for years but remain childless. Both are taunted by their fam- ily and neighbours. Eventually they believe there is only one option left to them. Poona agrees that she will sleep with another man in the form of a god during a religious festival. This is a radical and poetic novel that boldly and forthrightly addresses local traditions and customs. — Claudia Kramatschek Perumal Murugan, India. Translated from Tamil by Aniruddhan Vasudevan. Grove Press, Black Cat, 256 pages EL MISERERE DE LOS COCODRILOS A childhood trauma turns into a psychological thriller. Little Úrsula has a food addiction. One day her father catches her. Ignoring what he says are just ‘crocodile tears’, he locks her in. But Úrsula is bent on revenge, and in Montevideo she comes across an absurd gang of criminals. The book plays on the theme of mistaken identity in the same way as a comedy. The reader is drawn into the whole construct with a nod and a wink. The result is a hilarious crime thriller. — C. Kramatschek, literary critic Mercedes Rosende, Uruguay. In Spanish. Casa Editorial HUM, 228 pages LITPROM RECOMMENDS Litprom – the Society for the Promotion of African, Asian and Latin American Literature – pro- vided these reviews for akzente. The titles were selected from Litprom’s list of the best new releases. www.litprom.de/en THE BORROWED A chronicle of underworld activ- ity in Hong Kong from 1967 to 2013. Formally sophisticated, ‘The Borrowed’ is a panoramic crime thriller in six parts that creates a social and historical panorama of Hong Kong over the period, thus repurposing the dialectic style of a traditional European narrative form. The book explores the neuralgic issues of politics, the triads and corruption from the outside and the inside. A real tour de force. — Thomas Wörtche, cultural journalist Chan Ho-kei, Hong Kong. Translated by Jeremy Tiang. Grove Press, Black Cat, 496 pages akzente 1/19 53 My ENEMy’S CHERRy TREE The author’s debut novel tells the story of a young man whose pursuit of happiness ends in tragedy. While it may seem apolitical, this delicate and tightly woven novel of marital estrangement explores the harsh reality of social inequality and its manifestations and conse- quences. — Insa Wilke, literary critic Wang Ting-Kuo, Taiwan. Translated from Chinese by Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin. Granta Books, 272 pages

SUSTAINABILITy A look back at a project and its results Project: TheIntegrityApp (from the GIZ Innovation Fund) / Commis- sioned by: GIZ / Term: ongoing / Countries where the app is used: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico STARTING POINT RESULTS GIZ’s Innovation Fund was set up to promote digitalisation, provide scope for creativity and cultivate agile working methods. Over 250 ideas were submitted from 65 countries when the ideas competition was piloted in 2017. One of those was TheIntegrityApp. The app was developed by a team at the Alli- ance for Integrity. The challenge they wanted to address was how small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and the public sector can equip themselves better in the fight against corruption. In many cases, these organisations lack the knowledge and qual- ified personnel needed to provide effective protection. Thanks to the mobile app and online platform, SMEs can assess their own particular situation. If the self-evaluation shows that more needs to be done, the company can acquire the expertise needed – for example to set up an internal compli- ance programme – through a range of webi- nars, podcasts and videos. It can then repeat the self-evaluation and make further im- provements as required. Just one year after the app was launched, 1,000 companies all over the world are al- ready using it. What’s more, the develop- ment team was subsequently commissioned by Brazil’s Federal Minister for Transpar- ency, Supervision and Control to adapt it for the public sector. Since the ‘government agency’ version was launched in June 2018, over 350 employees in the federal adminis- tration now work with TheIntegrityApp. They can use it to check their knowledge of the anti-corruption regulations and undergo fur- ther training if needed. But the app’s suc- cess story doesn’t stop there. The Chilean Government and the city authorities in Bue- nos Aires (Argentina) have officially re- quested permission to use the app in their own administrations. With so much positive feedback and so many great ideas, GIZ’s In- novation Fund is now gearing up for a third round of its ideas competition in 2019. AKZENTE Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices: Bonn and Eschborn, Germany Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 36 + 40, 53113 Bonn, Germany T +49 228 44 60 0 F +49 228 44 60-17 66 Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany T +49 61 96 79-0 F +49 61 96 79-11 15 E akzente@giz.de I akzente.giz.de/en Responsible: Sabine Tonscheidt, Director of Corporate Communications (GIZ) Content concept and editing: GIZ: Nicole Annette Müller (editor), Miriam Droller FAZIT Communication GmbH: Sabrina Pfost (project management), Friederike Bauer, Judith Reker, Brigitte Spitz, Oliver Hick-Schulz (layout), Martin Gorka (infographics), Corinna Potthoff (photo editing) English translation: Lynne Brauer, Jodie McGilvary, Mitzi Morgan, David Tonge; Gillian Lester (GIZ Language Services) Proofreading: textschrittmacher Graphic design/lithography: FAZIT Communication GmbH URL links: Where links are included to external sites, responsibility for the content of these sites lies solely with the provider. GIZ explicitly disassociates itself from all such content. Maps: GIZ/Ira Olaleye The maps are for information purposes only and do not constitute recognition under international law of bounda- ries and territories. GIZ provides no assurance that these maps are up-to-date, correct or complete and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from their use. GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication. Articles by individual authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Cover photo: VCG via Getty Images All images: GIZ unless otherwise stated Copy deadline: February 2019 Published: three times a year Current issue: March 2019 Printed by: Druckerei Lokay e. K., Reinheim, Germany Printed on: Arctic Volume, certified to FSC standards ISSN: 0945-4497 You can subscribe to akzente free of charge as a printed magazine or as a pdf by sending your email or postal address to: akzente-vertrieb@giz.de. You can unsubscribe using the same address. More information on the competition and the app: innovationfund@giz.de www.theintegrityapp.com akzente has received several awards for its high-quality journalism and design. In 2018, it won the Best of Content Marketing Award in silver in the crossmedia and website categories. akzente 1/19 55