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The GIGA Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series brings leading minds in academia and policy from all over the world to the Institute to stimulate public exchange on key global developments. In 2023, we tackle the global digital transformation from diverse angles and offer innovative perspectives on this societal re-alignment. Upcoming next, 12 December: Prof. Dr. Olubukola S. Adesina will speak on "Digital Diplomacy and African Countries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects ".

The geopolitical landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean is changing due to China’s expanding and the United States decreasing influence. The regional response has not been uniform, providing a unique opportunity for the EU to promote cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared values.

Under the banner of countering disinformation, autocratising governments in Asia have recently stifled civil society by either exploiting existing information laws or passing new ones. This contributes to the erosion of civil rights, restriction of information flows, and the deepening of autocratic rule.

For the second time, the GIGA receives the TOTAL-E-QUALITY award for its exemplary equal opportunity-oriented personnel and organisational policy. It recognises the Institute’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, work–life balance, and diversity across the board. The award is valid for a period of three years.

The war in Gaza does not bode well for the EU and the US as it 1) disrupts Western infrastructure corridors, 2) distracts policymakers from China and Indo-Pacific strategies, and 3) undermines the West as the self-proclaimed upholder of the “rules-based order.”

Adhiraaj Anand joined the GIGA Doctoral Programme in October 2023. The working title of his dissertation is “Youth Politics and Transnational Political Engagement in Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia”. He holds a Master’s degree in in International Affairs from the National University of Singapore. Learn more about Adhiraaj in this interview.

In order to bring peace to countries after internal wars, security sector reforms are considered central. The focus is usually on demobilising non-state armed groups, but this is often not enough. For lasting peace, these reforms must be embedded in state–society relations.

Excellent contributions by researchers from all over the world are featured in the four journals. The GIGA Journal Family is published by SAGE Publishing, maintaining the platinum standard of the open access model.

China is partner, competitor, and systemic rival of the European Union. But also a political actor that needs to be understood on its own terms. The GIGA offers substantial expertise on Chinese political and economic development and the country’s role in regional and global affairs.

The expert panel will analyse the contributions that India’s G20 Presidency has made to the revival and reform of multilateralism and explore how these ideas can be developed further under the Indo-German partnership. This event is part of the G20-T20 outreach process, Task Force 3 LiFE, and the GIGA’s T4T project.

The GIGA seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d). Applications are invited for a full-time position, with an initial contract of three years. The successful candidate will work in the field of Latin America’s international relations, foreign policy, regional integration, and multilateralism.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries in Asia and Latin America mobilised their armed forces for a broad range of related support activities. However, this military participation occurring in the two regions, even where extensive, did not necessarily threaten democracy and human rights.

Join us for a profound exploration of Turkey's century-long journey! Prominent scholars will dissect key aspects, including domestic politics, foreign policy, and diasporas at this GIGA Talk. The debate will offer special insights into the transformative AKP era, its significance in the broader historical trajectory, and its impact on the future.

The 22 October 2023 general elections in Argentina commemorate 40 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. However, citizens are expressing discontentment and anger with the established parties. The prospects for democracy and the economy look gloomy in what should be a year of civic celebration.

We are delighted to welcome four new colleagues who will start exciting dissertation projects in October 2023 within the framework of the GIGA’s Doctoral Programme.

This year, Germany and New Zealand celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. What has been achieved in that period? And in which areas should the two countries work closely together at the bilateral and global levels? This webinar brings together senior academics and diplomats to discuss these issues.

‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’ entails radical transformation of behaviour towards sustainable consumption and production. It explores disaster-resilience and a values- and ethics-based approach, which prioritises not only human-centric sustainable development, but the well-being of all species.

The German government’s China Strategy leaves room for manoeuvre in shaping policy towards an increasingly assertive China. High expectations regarding its implementation have ensued. In this GIGA Talk, representatives and experts from academia, politics, and business will discuss Germany’s relationship with China.

Mira Demirdirek officially joined the GIGA Doctoral Programme in August 2023, working on her dissertation “(Dis)continuities in Turkey’s Africa Policy”. She holds a Master’s degree in African Studies from Leiden University. She is also a research fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies. Learn more about Mira in this interview.

„Sanktionen“ stellt fundiert, verständlich und anschaulich die Möglichkeiten und Fallstricke dieses zentralen Machtinstruments der internationalen Politik im 21. Jahrhundert vor und gibt einen Blick in die Zukunft: Wie werden Sanktionen künftig eingesetzt? Das Buch stellt Maßstäbe vor, die Europa und Deutschland bei der Verhängung ihrer Strafmaßnahmen in Zukunft leiten sollten.

This GIGA Forum investigates the newly launched German “Feminist Foreign Policy” guidelines and their implications for Germany’s foreign policy-making, with particular reference to developments in Afghanistan, Iran, and Ukraine. Video now online.

Recent military coups underscore that democratisation is under pressure in Africa. While long-term trends paint a positive picture, current threats to democratisation beyond the coups include socio-economic challenges, violent conflict, power-hungry elites, and external support for autocrats.

Im Jahr 2024 feiern die Bundesrepublik Deutschland und die Mongolei das 50-jährige Jubiläum der Aufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen. Wir nehmen dies zum Anlass, hochrangige offizielle Vertreter:innen sowie ausgewiesene Expert:innen nach Stand und Perspektiven dieser Partnerschaft zu fragen.

Der Westen ist nicht mehr der Nabel der Welt. Stattdessen treten die Staaten des Globalen Südens mit neuem Selbstbewusstsein auf. Das Buch diskutiert, warum die Staaten des Globalen Südens so handeln, wie sie es tun, warum deren Skepsis gegenüber dem Westen so tief sitzt – und warum in der neuen Vielfalt auch Chancen liegen.

In Latin America, most violence is considered “criminal.” But a clear-cut distinction between political and criminal violence does not exist. Policies to reduce violence meander between repression and dialogue but lack comprehensiveness, and a focus on prevention, the rule of law, and human rights.

Growing geopolitical rivalries, military modernisation, and related developments could lead to the escalation of simmering conflicts in the Indo-Pacific. Regional powers and actors should enhance existing Confidence-Building Measures to increase stability. Europe should assist them.

GIGA Doctoral Researcher Alina Ripplinger attended the summer school of the European Consortium for Political Research in Research Methods and Techniques. Learn more about her experience in this interview.