Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - Africa
Offices of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation runs 20 project offices in the Africa employing 22 staff members on an over seas assignment and 189 local experts and administrative personnel (as of June 2002).
Idea and Mission
“Development policy for peace in the 21st century.“ This statement by Willy Brandt has turned into the leitmotif of our daily work. Thus, the core mission of the FES Division for international Development Co-operation is to foster development and democracy in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa. Further ambitious objectives on our agenda are
- to help safeguard democratic structures by including as many societal groups as possible
- to promote economic reforms and a policy of social justice
- to establish common fundamental values for the future of socio-political development
One of our key principles is to continuously adapt existing focal points and tried-and-tested tools to conform to new social developments we observe across the different continents.
Democracy and Development
Sub-Saharan Africa has always been and will continue to be in the focus of our international efforts. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation helps stabilize and deepen the democratization process in many countries and tries to influence economic and social change. In the context of political and economic transformation, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the rule of law, to Co-operate with parliaments, to support important societal groups and to promote decentralisation schemes enhancing the direct participation of citizens in the governance process. For the 2002 programmes for Africa, a budget of €12m has been granted to the department.
Objectives and Partners
Democracy is much more than elections at regular intervals, democracy is the active participation of citizens and societal groups in important debates and decision-making processes. Democracy is the settlement of conflicting interests of different societal groups, the protection of minorities and the socially just solution of problems. Finally, democracy also means transparency in political decision- making processes, rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom to form and express one's own opinion.
We support the work of democratically elected parliaments and help establish a functioning multi-party system to ensure democratic development and socially just economic growth. We back important societal groups (i.e, trade unions, organizations furthering women's rights and human rights, environmental organizations, media and journals' associations, and industrial interest groups). We can offer experience and expertise in the run-up to general and free elections and whenever the decentralization of governmental structures is on the agenda. Apart from that, we promote the economic and socio-political dialogue between different interest groups.
Our Tools
The following tools have been carefully designed to achieve our objectives:
- We host national, regional and international conferences, seminars and workshops to deal with the issues and problems of partner institutions and target groups.
- Experts and consultants straight from the regions or from third countries propose solutions for certain sectors or to technical questions.
- We seek to enhance the problem –solving skills of our partners through the transfer of knowledge and experience during consultation talks.
- Research projects and scientific analyses complement education and consultation programmes.
- Both radio and video programmes and stage plays help convey socio-political issues.
- The co-operation with political and societal partner organizations and media partners strengthens their role as interest groups.
- We publish trailblazing results of our work and make them available to the general public.
- We organize information programmes for decision makers in other African counties, in Germany and under the umbrella of E, UN and international labour movement institutions.
- Pan-continental and country-specific events (German-East African dialogue, German-Nigerian dialogue, German-South African dialogue) complement the work in the project countries.
Africa is Part of the Global Community
Making oneself heard in the international dialogue is of vital importance in the age of globalization. The new world trading system and the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement are major challenges for both African governments and non-governmental organizations. This is why African decision makers receive FES support in the form of specific training programmes which allow them to keep up with the ever faster pace of the global economy and to keep their position in the global community.
Hosting international conferences and forums, we seek to develop a platform, which helps them to look after their vested interests in the dialogue with other global players.
Further information:
Division for International Development Co-operation Africa Department
Head: Dr Werner Puschra
Friedrich- Ebert- Stiftung
Godesberger Allee 149
53175 Bonn
Tel: +49 (0) 228 883-576
Fax: +49 (0) 228 883-623
The North Africa project offices are apart of the Middle East and North Africa Department
Head: Dr Andrae Gaerber
Important publications on the Foundation's work for Africa are available in the library of the Friedrich Ebrt Foundation. .
Tel: +49 (0) 228 883- 426
Fax: +49 (0) 228 883-626
