Institut für Weltwirtschaft und Internationales Management
Institute for World Economics and International Management
Aktuelles Das IWIM Kompetenzzentr. Lehre Forschung Publikationen Sokrates/Erasmus

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  • Vom Sudan nach Namibia: Eine Vortragsreihe der Universität Bremen in Verbindung mit zwei Ausstellungen

    Die Universität Bremen dokumentiert ihre Zusammenarbeit mit afrikanischen universitären Partnern im Rahmen von Ausstellungen und einer Vortragsreihe vom 30. April – 28. Mai 2013 im DGB-Haus am Hauptbahnhof (vgl. den Flyer zu der Veranstaltung: http://www.uni-bremen.de/fileadmin/user_upload/international/Aktuelles/IO_Vom_Sudan_nach_Namibia_Flyer_20130318_RZ.pdf ). 

    Sowohl die Kooperation von Wissenschaftlern der Universität Bremen mit Namibia als auch jene mit dem Sudan währt nun schon über 35 Jahre. In der Zwischenzeit sind zahlreiche weitere Kooperationen mit Afrika dazugekommen und prägen Lehre und Forschung der Exzellenzuniversität.

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth wird am 28. Mai 2013 zum Thema „Sudan und Süd-Sudan: Vom Konflikt zur Kooperation“ einen Vortrag halten (vgl. Synopse unter: http://www.uni-bremen.de/international/profil-international/aktuelles-und-berichte/aktuelles/vom-sudan-nach-namibia.html). Berichtet wird über die Projekte der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Sudan und über die aktuellen Forschungen zu den Entwicklungen nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung des Süd-Sudan vom 9. Juli 2011 (vgl. dazu ausführlich: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/NeuesProjektEcoPolinSudan.htm und http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-sudan.htm ).

    Die Veranstaltung wird am 30. April 2013 von Frau Prof. Dr. Yasemin Karakasoglu, Konrektorin für Interkulturalität und Internationalität, und von 

    S. E. Neville Gertze, Botschafter der Republik Namibia, feierlich eröffnet. Prof. Dr. Manfred Hinz hält den Eröffnungsvortrag.

     

  • Das „Davos an der Küste“, 17. – 19. April 2013: Welternährung und Weltwasserversorgung im Fokus

    „Davos an der Küste“: So nennen die Bremerhavener stolz ihre jährlich stattfindende internationale Wirtschaftstagung. Beim 24. Internationalen Wirtschafts- und Transportforum in Bremerhaven wurden gewichtige Themen abgehandelt: globale Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung; globale Energieversorgung und Energieverwendung; neue Strategien in Industrie und Handel; Perspektiven von Internationalen Supply Chains; neue globale und regionale Sicherheitsstrukturen; und die Zukunft der Finanzmärkte (vgl. Programm der Tagung). In Plenarveranstaltungen ging es um die Themen „Wohlstand für alle? Diskrepanzen in einer multipolaren Weltwirtschaft“ und um eine Zusammenfassung der Arbeitsergebnisse für Radio Bremen. 

    In der von Professor Karl Wohlmuth geleiteten Arbeitsgruppe „Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung“ ging es um Fragen der globalen Sicherung der Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung. Aktuelle Probleme wurden diskutiert und mit den Perspektiven bis 2050 kontrastiert. Knappheitsprobleme erfordern es, die gesamte Versorgungskette vom Produzenten bis zum Konsumenten in den Blick zu nehmen, also Produktion und Konsum anders zu gestalten und innovativ zu bewirtschaften. Die Probleme bei der Realisierung der Millenniumsziele (Agenda 2015) und die  Perspektiven für eine Post-2015-Agenda wurden diskutiert. Der Zeitraum für Langfristbetrachtungen dieser Versorgungsprobleme hat sich mit Szenarien für 2030 und 2050 deutlich ausgeweitet. Es geht dabei um die Versorgung von über 9 Milliarden Menschen auf dem Globus, die für das Jahr 2050 prognostiziert werden, aber auch und vor allem um die notwendigen politischen Schritte und Aktionsprogramme zur Realisierung dieser Versorgungsziele.

    Die Tagung wurde von Prof. Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Scheibe organisiert und geleitet, der gleichzeitig als Präsident der veranstaltenden DGAW (Deutsche Gesellschaft für angewandte Wissenschaften e. V.) fungiert. Professor Scheibe war viele Jahre Rektor der Hochschule Bremerhaven und hat in den frühen Jahren der Bremer Universität an dieser Institution promoviert. 

    Die Radiosendung zur Tagung wurde von Theo Schlüter moderiert (Link: http://www.radiobremen.de/nordwestradio/sendungen/nordwestradio_unterwegs/kalender102_date-20130419.html ). Eine Publikation zur Tagung ist vorgesehen.

     

  • Schwerpunktheft Afrika: Entwicklungspotential und Risiko

    Im Schwerpunktheft Afrika der „Berichte“ des Forschungsinstituts der Internationalen Wissenschaftlichen Vereinigung Weltwirtschaft und Weltpolitik (IWVWW) e. V. geht es um Entwicklungspotentiale und um Sicherheitsrisiken in Afrika beim internationalen Einsatz von Fachkräften. Nach dem auszugsweisen Abdruck der Rede des Bundespräsidenten Joachim Gauck auf der Sitzung der ständigen Vertreter der Afrikanischen Union in Addis Abeba/Äthiopien  vom 18. März 2013 finden sich Beiträge über den Mali-Konflikt als Spätfolge libyscher Destabilisierungspolitik in den Sahara-Saaten und über Sicherheitsrisiken bei der internationalen Entsendung von Fachkräften nach Afrika. Der Beitrag des Bremer Professors Karl Wohlmuth geht auf Wissenschaft, Technik und Innovation als Triebkräfte der afrikanischen Entwicklung ein. Besonders thematisiert wird der Stellenwert von Wissenschaft, Technik und Innovation für die Förderung von Landwirtschaft, Agroindustrie und Agribusiness in Afrika.

    Die beiden Institute kooperieren seit über 20 Jahren in vielfältiger Form (Link: http://www.iwvww.de/).

     

  • Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as Drivers of African Development: New Essays by Professor Karl Wohlmuth

    In various essays Professor Wohlmuth outlines the role of Science, Technology and innovation (STI) as drivers of African Development (Link on Publications: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-wohlmuth.htm ). Considered are the major economic problems in Africa requesting significant STI inputs to be overcome (stagnation of agriculture, especially of cereals production; de-industrialization and low share of manufacturing in GDP; difficulties to transform trade structures at regional and global levels towards a higher value added content of exports). The African Union (AU) initiatives undertaken in this regard are characterized area by area. Main focus is on public interventions and on public-private partnerships to use STI infrastructure and STI policies more effectively. Three action levels are discussed to show how STI-based development can work towards value addition, employment creation and poverty reduction. The three action levels (building linkages between agriculture and agro-industry subsectors and STI infrastructure; incorporating STI inputs into agro-industrial value chains at all levels and ranks; and converting comparative advantages into competitive advantages by using specific STI inputs) are discussed in detail and matter in a new Agenda for African Development based on STI. The papers benefitted from consultancy work for UNIDO and participation and discussion at UNIDO/FAO/AU conferences in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Abuja, Nigeria (see also the project context of these researches: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/AgroIndustrialDevelopmentinAfrica.htm ). 

 

  • Neuer Forschungsbericht über die  ökonomische Kooperation von Sudan und Süd-Sudan: Sudan Economy Research Group Discussion Papers Number 40 ist erschienen

    In dem neuen Forschungsbericht Sudan Economy Research Group Discussion Papers Number 40 analysiert Professor Karl Wohlmuth die zukünftigen Kooperationsmöglichkeiten und Kooperationsnotwendigkeiten zwischen Sudan und Süd-Sudan. Der Forschungsbericht basiert auf der Keynote Lecture, die  Professor Karl Wohlmuth bei der International Sudan and South Sudan Studies Conference 2012 an der Universität Bonn gehalten hat. Das dort vorgelegte Paper wurde für die SERG-Reihe überarbeitet und aktualisiert (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-sudan.htm ).

 

  • New Research Report on Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan: Sudan Economy Research Group Discussion Paper Number 40 is now published

In the new research report Sudan Economy Research Group Discussion Papers Number 40 Professor Karl Wohlmuth analyses the future of economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan. The report is based on the Keynote Lecture at the International Sudan and South Sudan Studies Conference 2012 at the University of Bonn. The Report is an extension and update of the former paper presented at the conference (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-sudan.htm ).

 

  • Sozialpolitik in Entwicklungsländern/Social Policy in Developing Countries:

    Nicht nur im „Handbuch Sozialpolitiken der Welt“, sondern auch im Band „Sozialpolitik in Entwicklungsländern“ ist der Bremer Wirtschaftsprofessor Karl Wohlmuth mit einem Beitrag über die Sozialpolitik in den Republiken Sudan und Süd-Sudan vertreten. Die besondere Bedeutung dieses Bandes ergibt sich aus der Tatsache, dass die Sozialpolitik zu einem wichtigen Prüfkriterium für die Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, insbesondere auch der Europäischen Union, geworden ist (vgl. Publikationen Karl Wohlmuth). 

    Der zweite European Report on Development (ERD) für das Jahr 2010 hat den Titel “Social protection for inclusive development - a new perspective in EU co-operation with Africa” (vgl. Link: http://erd.eui.eu/erd-2010/final-report/). In der Zwischenzeit liegt der vierte ERD vor (vgl. Link: http://www.erd-report.eu/erd/index.html) und thematisiert ebenfalls Fragen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, und zwar mit dem Fokus auf die Post-2015 Global Agenda. 

    Zudem wird das Thema der Sozialpolitik für die Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und für die nationale Politik in Entwicklungsländern immer wichtiger, weil die Reaktion der Staaten auf die Weltfinanzkrise 2008/09 gezeigt hat, dass Entwicklungsländer mit einer aktiven Sozialpolitik Krisen schneller und besser überwinden können. Einkommens- und Beschäftigungsverluste sowie negative Folgen der Krise für Ernährung, Bildung und Gesundheit können eher bewältigt werden. Auch für die makroökonomische Steuerung ergeben sich Vorteile. Zudem wird die Politik der Armutsbekämpfung wesentlich effektiver, wenn grundlegende Elemente einer Sozialpolitik vorhanden sind und systematisch ausgebaut werden.

Sozialpolitik im Sudan und im Süd-Sudan, in:

Sozialpolitik in Entwicklungsländern - ein Handbuch, Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2013

(New Publication: Social Policies in Sudan and South Sudan, 

in: Social Policies in Developing Economies - A Handbook, Berlin 2013)

 

  • Europa im Spannungsfeld globaler und multipolarer Herausforderungen: 

    Zu diesem Thema wird in Bremerhaven im April 2013 eine internationale Konferenz abgehalten. Die wachsende Bedeutung von Schwellenländern in Asien und Lateinamerika und auch die Wachstumsdynamik in afrikanischen Ländern erfordern von Europa die Entwicklung und Umsetzung von neuen Kooperationsstrategien, um so die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen Wirtschaft langfristig abzusichern. Neue Kooperationsabkommen zeichnen sich zwischen den führenden alten und den neuen Industrieländern ab, nicht nur in den Bereichen Finanzen und Handel, sondern auch in den Bereichen Sicherheit, Umweltschutz und Technologietransfer. Auch für die Lösung der großen und drängenden globalen Probleme (Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung, Energieproduktion und Energieverwendung, Rohstoffversorgung und Klimawandel) sind neue Kooperationen erforderlich.

    Die Teilnehmer am 24. Internationale Wirtschafts- und Transportforum werden viele dieser wichtigen Fragen in Bremerhaven diskutieren und auch versuchen, Antworten für Europa zu finden und Lösungen zu erarbeiten, die in Europa umgesetzt werden können. Das Internationale Wirtschafts- und Transportforum gehört zu den wichtigen jährlich stattfindenden Wirtschaftstagungen im Land Bremen.

    Die Konferenz steht unter der Schirmherrschaft von Martin Schulz, dem Präsidenten des Europäischen Parlaments, und unter der Leitung von Professor Heinz-Jürgen Scheibe, dem Präsidenten der Deutschen Gesellschaft Für Angewandte Wissenschaften (DGAW) E. V. Die Konferenz findet anlässlich des 25-jährigen Jubiläums der DGAW statt. Neben den Plenarvorträgen werden in sechs Panels wichtige globale Themen in ihrer Bedeutung für Europa diskutiert. 

    Unter der Moderation von Professor Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen wird in einem Panel über Probleme der globalen Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung diskutiert werden. 

    Die Konferenz wird vom 17. - 19. 4. 2012 im Atlantic City Hotel in Bremerhaven abgehalten (vgl. Programm und Anmeldeformular).

 

  • Trends in Foreign Direct Investment in Uzbekistan: Patterns and Perspectives

    A new study on the Perspectives of Foreign Direct Investment in Uzbekistan by Dr. Ubaydulla Nadirkhanov, Postdoc Researcher, Institute of Economy, Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan, was published in the journal “Berichte, Januar 2013”/”Reports”, January 2013 of the Research Institute  of the IWVWW e. V. in Berlin, the journal of the partner institute of IWIM. The article in “Berichte, Januar 2013” is based on a research work of Dr. U. Nadirkhanov when he was a guest researcher at IWIM, Bremen in 2012. The research work was presented at the Research Seminar on Trends in Transition and Developing Countries with the title Resource-rich Developing and Transition Countries: The Cases of Nigeria and Uzbekistan, and it was organized by the two Economics Professors Axel Sell and Karl Wohlmuth from the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies (link to the guest researchers’ programs: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Siakeu/Einladung_Forschungsstipendiaten-8-2012.pdf). The Seminar took place in August 2012, at IWIM, University of Bremen (see the details of the academic event: http://www.uni-bremen.de/kalender/event/caldate/2012/08/15/view/event/view-list%7Cpage_id-1/tx_cal_phpicalendar/1310.html?cHash=69534d1bc271992adaaca5ca23350050).

    The editors of “Berichte” invite young researchers to submit contributions on economic developments in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. 

    The two institutes cooperate currently on a volume “The Euro and the Perspectives of the European Political Union”.

 

  • Economic Policy for Peace, Development and Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan:

This is the title of a paper proposed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth for the Annual Conference 2013 of the Graduate College and the Directorate of Scientific Research and Cultural Relations of the University of Khartoum, Republic of the Sudan. Professor Wohlmuth was invited to this event by the Graduate College and the Directorate of Scientific Research and Cultural Relations of the University of Khartoum. The theme of the conference is: “Towards a Confident Renaissance”. The conference is held at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum and at the University of Khartoum-Main Campus. 

The theme Economic Policy for Peace, Development and Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan as submitted to the conference is based on the recent research work by Professor Karl Wohlmuth on Strategic Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan (see about the research program and the research output the link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/NeuesProjektEcoPolinSudan.htm ). 

Researches on the Sudan at the University of Bremen have a long history dating back to the year 1978 (see the list of selected publications of the Sudan Economy Research Group/SERG with the link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Dorow/SERG-38-2-2011.pdf).

 

  • Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa: Employment-Targeting and Promoting Inclusive Growth, Responding to the Euro Crisis and Adapting to Recent Globalization Trends

    In Unit 1 of the forthcoming volume 16 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the title “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa” there will by analyses of new macroeconomic policy approaches being of relevance for Africa. 

     

    First, it is analyzed how African governments can increase the macroeconomic policy space and especially the fiscal space for employment creation and social safety; new macroeconomic policy approaches are investigated in this direction and country cases are reviewed. An important result of the researches is that macroeconomic policy reforms and reforms of the relevant macroeconomic policy institutions can be quite effective in reducing unemployment and youth unemployment in Africa. This is important as growth in Africa is not inclusive enough in terms of employment creation and poverty reduction. 

    Second, the implications of the Euro crisis for African economies and their economic policies are analyzed; this is not only done for those countries whose currencies are pegged to the Euro, but also for other African country groups with different economic characteristics. As regional integration in Africa favors not only preferential trade agreements, free trade zones and customs unions but also more and more currency unions, the Euro crisis has lessons for Africa to be learned. 

    Third, it is analyzed how Africa is responding to the globalization  trends and what this means for economic governance reforms and for macroeconomic policies and institutions. By reviewing the trends in economic governance and economic globalization it is possible to derive conclusions on policy reforms so that the frameworks and institutions for macroeconomic policies in Africa can then be changed and improved. Various country groups in Africa show in their macroeconomic policies quite different responses to globalization trends and to changes of governance systems. 

    Fourth, aspects of inclusive growth are discussed and related to macroeconomic policy reforms as traditional (“mainstream”) macroeconomic policy approaches and frameworks have consistently neglected social issues (employment creation, social safety and cohesion, poverty reduction) and, more generally, inclusive growth and sustainable development strategies. Improving macroeconomic stability in a rather narrow sense was the main objective of these policies so far. Guidelines for new macroeconomic policies which aim at targeting inclusive growth are presented in the new volume of the Yearbook. 

     

    The Research Group of African Development Perspectives Bremen has cooperated with senior ILO experts and with leading researchers in the field to make this Unit 1 possible. While the Global Financial Crisis gave a push to the new macroeconomics for sustainable African growth and development, there are still gaps in regard of concrete guidelines so as to change the macroeconomic policies and institutions in Africa pro-actively. These gaps are filled by the researches and proposals in this volume of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook. The Yearbook is edited since 1989 by the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen (see the link to the prior issues of the Yearbook: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).

 

  • Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa: A Forthcoming Publication Project

    Most of the work is done for this new publication project of the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen, and it is expected that the new volume of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the title “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa” will be released by the publisher in June 2013. Major issues are covered in the context of promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa by improving macroeconomic policies and especially by streamlining the process how these policies are managed (see the project description). 

    Beside of analytical surveys various country case studies and region-wide studies are presented. “Understanding the Economics of the Arab Spring Countries” is an issue which is discussed in a whole section of the book. A major issue is also throughout the book how macroeconomic policies and macroeconomic policy institutions can support the consolidation and the broadening of the growth process in Africa. Many examples are presented in the book of ways for increasing the policy space in this direction.

    This is the volume 16 of a series which has taken up most important thematic issues of Africa’s development since 1989. Scientific Coordinator of the program is Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen. Managing Editor of the Yearbook is Dr. Tobias Knedlik from IWH Halle an der Saale. A description of all the former issues is available (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).

    An International Call for Papers for Volume 17 of the Yearbook will be published in the second half of 2013.

 

  • Sozialpolitik im Sudan und im Süd-Sudan: „Handbuch Sozialpolitiken der Welt“ ist soeben erschienen

    In einem Beitrag über die Sozialpolitik in der Republik Sudan und in der Republik Süd-Sudan analysiert Professor Karl Wohlmuth die historische Entwicklung und die aktuelle Bedeutung der Sozialpolitik im Kontext der ökonomischen Entwicklung in den beiden Ländern. Ausgehend vom UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia)-Ansatz zur Analyse von Sozialpolitiken in Entwicklungsländern werden drei konzentrische Kreise von Sozialpolitiken analysiert: erstens die direkten Programme und Maßnahmen der Sozialpolitik und der Armutsbekämpfung, zweitens die Programme und Maßnahmen im Bereich der Bildungs-, Gesundheits- und Arbeitsmarktpolitik mit dem Ziel der besseren Daseinsvorsorge, und dann drittens die Möglichkeiten, makroökonomische und sektorale Politiken so zu gestalten, dass sozialpolitische Ziele angemessen durchgesetzt werden können (vgl. die Details zur neuen Publikation unter Publikationen Karl Wohlmuth).

    Eine englischsprachige Übersetzung des Beitrages von Professor Wohlmuth ist im Rahmen der Bremer Sudanforschung vorgesehen. Dieser Beitrag wurde im Rahmen des Projektes über die ökonomische Kooperation des Sudan und des Süd-Sudan seit 2011 erstellt (vgl. Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/NeuesProjektEcoPolinSudan.htm ).

 

 

Sudan und Süd-Sudan im

Handbuch Sozialpolitiken der Welt, Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2013

(New Publication: Social Policies in Sudan and South Sudan, 

in: Handbook Social Policies of the World, Berlin 2013)

 

  • Researches on Governance and Reconstruction of Governance in Sudan and South Sudan in the years 2005-2012: Final Report to the Volkswagen Foundation

    Soon after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan (CPA) on January 9, 2005 the Research Project “Governance and Social Action in Sudan” started at IWIM, University of Bremen. It was directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and Dr. Elke Grawert. It was the purpose of the Project to follow up the process of transition after the CPA towards reconstruction of governance at various levels of decision-making, and thereby to analyze the conditions for development and a sustainable peace. A network of researchers from universities in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and staff from IWIM, University of Bremen were involved. The Project was the first one approved in the context of  the Volkswagen Foundation’s new Sub-Saharan Africa Research Initiative, and it got generous support during two project phases (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/Sudanforschung.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/Sudan.Drittmittel/Governance.htm). The Project had also a training component as PhD students and Master students were trained. By research workshops in Bremen and in all the other Project Countries the students were trained to do field research in and near the conflict areas (such as refugee camps, conflict areas, border areas, etc.). 

    Many publications were released by the project professors and by the project students. Considerable human capital was built and a future-oriented network of research partnerships has emerged. The trained young professionals are now starting their own research projects and use intensively the network that was established during these seven years of cooperative researches.

    Now the Final Report to the Volkswagen Foundation was released by the Project Coordinator Dr. Elke Grawert. She is now Research Coordinator at the Bonn International Center for Conversion/BICC in Bonn. The Report will be released to the Public quite soon. Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth from IWIM continues his researches on Sudan/South Sudan with a New Project on “Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan”. There was a rather smooth process towards a Referendum on Independence of South Sudan on January 9, 2011 and towards the official Declaration of Independence of South Sudan on July 9, 2011. However, since these days the relations between the two states have deteriorated to the extent that now - over more than a year starting in January 2012 - the oil production in South Sudan had been stopped because of accusations of unfair treatment by the partner. The oil is produced near the international border in the South Sudan but the infrastructure of Sudan is needed for transport and processing towards export via Port Sudan. Both states now suffer from huge losses of public revenues and foreign exchange despite of the nine September 2012 agreements in Addis Ababa about all the open security, border and finance issues. A Strategic Economic Cooperation is needed between the two countries as the border regions of the two states are of extremely great economic importance for Sudan and South Sudan (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/NeuesProjektEcoPolinSudan.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-sudan.htm).

 

  • Back to J. M. Keynes in Regulating International Commodity Markets: A Note

    There is now increasing attention given to transparency of international commodity markets. Voluntary initiatives like  EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and PWYP (Publish What You Pay) have a role to play although these initiatives are limited in coverage and effectiveness. New legal initiatives now play an increasing role, especially in the USA and in the EU, so as to increase the transparency of all types of payments by large and transnational raw materials-producing corporations to governments in developing countries, especially of countries with weak institutional contexts. In the USA the legal initiative is working along the Dodd-Frank Act of financial sector reforms and in the EU it is working along the proposed transparency and accounting orders. 

    However, the particular features, problems and complexities of international raw materials markets (with elements such as market cycles, market failures, market power, and market restrictions) cannot be addressed by these voluntary initiatives and the mentioned legal moves. Also, the complete lack of regulation of the international raw materials markets is a fundamental problem, for developing countries (suffering, for example, from resource curse and from export restrictions) and for developed countries (suffering, for example, from irregular and insecure supplies and from various forms of decisions under corruption). 

    The famous economist J. M. Keynes has more than 60 years ago proposed a regulation of international commodity markets in the context of an International Trade Organization (ITO). Although this project never materialized, the proposals have increasing relevance again now. There is however no chance to revitalize such ideas as an ITO in the current world economy context, but even in the context of WTO and GATT rulings some meaningful provisions and waivers can be incorporated so as to regulate some crucial aspects of the international commodity markets. 

    In a Note Back to J. M. Keynes in Regulating International Commodity Markets Professor Karl Wohlmuth addresses these issues in the form of Guidelines highlighting ten major issues why “moving back to Keynes” is important for regulating international commodity markets (see Publications: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-wohlmuth.htm).

 

  • Transparenz im Rohstoffsektor: Korruption und Spekulation als Ursachen für Armut

    Unter diesem Titel fand kürzlich eine Podiumsdiskussion im Haus der Wissenschaft in Bremen statt, an der auch Frau Professor Dr. Edda Müller, die Vorsitzende von Transparency International Deutschland und  Professor  Dr. Karl Wohlmuth von der Universität Bremen teilnahmen (vgl. das Programm der Veranstaltung anlässlich des Antikorruptionstages und die Presseerklärung von Transparency International Bremen). Moderiert wurde die Podiumsdiskussion von Herrn Theo Schlüter, Radio Bremen. Professor Wohlmuth betonte, dass die diversen freiwilligen Transparenzinitiativen (z. B. EITI/Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, PWYP/Publish What You Pay) und die gültigen bzw. vorgesehenen gesetzlichen Transparenzregelungen (wie etwa im Frank-Dodd-Act in den USA verankert bzw. für die EU im Rahmen der Transparenz- und Buchungsrichtlinien vorgesehen) wohl bedeutsam sind, aber zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte nur sehr bedingt beitragen können. Mehr ist nötig, insbesondere eine Rückbesinnung auf J. M. Keynes und seine Vorschläge zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte, die er vor mehr als 60 Jahren im Zusammenhang mit der seinerzeit vorgeschlagenen Gründung einer Internationalen Handelsorganisation (ITO/International Trade Organisation) machte. Viele seiner konkreten Vorschläge sind nach wie vor aktuell und können teilweise auch über Waivers und andere Instrumente im WTO/GATT-System verwirklicht werden.

     

    Die Teilnehmer an der Podiumsdiskussion (von links):

    Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen

    Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin

    Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen

    Stephan Werner, Portfoliomanager Rohstoffe, DWS

    Annemieke Wijn, Nachhaltigkeitsexpertin Anchor Consult, früher General Manager Kraft Foods

    Prof. Dr. Edda Müller, Vorsitzende Transparency International Deutschland e.V.

     

     

    Auf dem Foto (von links):

    Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen

    Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin

    Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen

     

    Die Podiumsdiskussion wurde unter dem  Titel „Korruption und Spekulation - Ursachen für viel Armut“ von Radio Bremen/Nordwestradio Unterwegs aufgezeichnet (vgl. den Link: http://www-origin.radiobremen.de/nordwestradio/sendungen/nordwestradio_unterwegs/kalender102_date-20121214.html).

 

  • Understanding the Economics of “Arab Spring” Countries: 

    A Unit of the forthcoming issue 16 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the theme “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa” is now finalized and will consider the economic causes, the recent developments and the perspectives of the “Arab Spring” countries like Egypt and Tunisia. While the international discussion centers on political and international relations issues, the economics of the background factors to these revolutions in Arab countries is largely neglected. 

    IWIM joined forces with institutions in the region, like UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, UNDP’s Regional Center in Cairo and the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait to make this Unit possible.  Research Director Magda Kandil from ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) and Professor Karl Wohlmuth, University of Bremen will introduce into the Unit. Background studies and country case studies are presented in the Unit. An analysis of the socioeconomic causes of revolutions in “Arab Spring” countries, an overview of recent developments in “Arab Spring” countries,  and a strategic framework for new economic policies in “Arab Spring” countries are presented. 

    Other Units of this forthcoming volume of the Yearbook cover new macroeconomic policy approaches and frameworks for African countries, macroeconomic policies of low income and post-conflict countries in Africa, and macroeconomic policies in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone) countries with special emphasis on Nigeria. Also a Book Reviews/Book Notes Unit is included.

    The Yearbook Project will continue with the theme “Africa’s Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration” as Volume 17 for 2014 (Link to the Project Website: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm and link to the website with the description of the past volumes: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).

 

  • Die sozioökonomischen Grundlagen und die Folgen des „Arabischen Frühlings“:

    Unter diesem Thema wurden für die Unit 2 (Teil 2) des neuen Afrika-Jahrbuchs mit dem Titel „Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa“ einige Studien verfasst, sowohl Grundlagenstudien als auch Länderstudien für Ägypten und Tunesien. Während politologische und soziologische Studien sich dem Thema der Ursachen und der Folgen des „Arabischen Frühlings“ intensiv widmen, sind ökonomische Studien dazu eher rar. Diese Lücke soll mit den Studien im neuen Afrika-Jahrbuch nun geschlossen werden.

    Das IWIM hat bei der Erstellung dieser Studien mit wichtigen Institutionen in der Region kooperiert, um diese Unit möglich zu machen, so mit UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, dem UNDP Regional Center in Cairo und dem Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait. Research Director Magda Kandil vom ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) und Professor Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen führen in einem Beitrag in diese Unit ein.

    Andere Units des neuen Jahrbuchs behandeln neue makroökonomische Rahmenbedingungen und Politiken für afrikanische Länder, makroökonomische Politiken in Niedrigeinkommensländern und Post-Konflikt-Ländern, und makroökonomische Politiken in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone)-Ländern, insbesondere für Nigeria. Auch eine Book Reviews/Book Notes-Unit ist vorgesehen.

    Das Jahrbuch-Projekt wird mit dem Thema “Africa’s Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration” für den Band 17 (2014) fortgesetzt (vgl. den Link zur Website des Jahrbuch-Programms: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-adpy.htm und den Link zur Seite mit einer Beschreibung der bisher erschienenen Bände: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).

 

  • Sound economies, sustainable economic policies and strategic economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan:

    This was the title of the plenary lecture given by Professor Karl Wohlmuth at the Sudan/South Sudan conference in Hermannsburg which took place from October 31-November 2, 2012 (Link Final Conference Programme). Professor Wohlmuth presented in his lecture five criteria for sound economies and sustainable economic policies in Sudan and South Sudan: 

    First, macroeconomic stability has to be provided. Because of the stop of oil production in January 2012 by the government of South Sudan the macroeconomic instability problems were even aggravated in both countries and they are still severe. 

    Second, a medium term public finance framework is needed for both countries, especially so because of the volatility of oil revenues and the low importance of non-oil exports. Such medium-term public finance frameworks are not in place, and there is no Permanent Fund/Permanent Income approach at work to smooth the expenditures from the oil revenues towards stabilization and long-term development objectives. 

    Third, a redirection of exports towards non-oil products is needed in both countries. However, the time since January 9, 2005 (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) was not used in the two countries for generating non-oil exports. Despite of the huge agricultural resources and the agro-industrial opportunities, both countries are large-scale food importers. 

    Fourth, effective social safety nets are needed to protect the poor and the poorest, but also the middle class which became impoverished in recent years, as the available rudimentary social safety systems have rather deteriorated. Public interventions in health and education sectors as well as towards the functioning of the labour market were highly inefficient and ineffective, and macroeconomic policies were not pro-poor.

    Fifth, effective reductions of horizontal and vertical inequalities are requested but the reality in both states is that the regional imbalances and the income inequalities have rather increased. This has repercussions on political stability in both countries and on the perspectives of cooperation in the border-belt.

     

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth at the opening of the Plenary Session on Economic Issues in Sudan and South Sudan

     

    Professor Wohlmuth also commented on the Nine Agreements between the two countries from September 27, 2012 at Addis Ababa and on the future tasks to promote a strategic economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan. Five core programmes for a strategic economic cooperation were presented (see PDF Sudan-South Sudan-Conference Presentation). Other contributions to the Conference were made by the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Juba, South Sudan on the fight against corruption in South Sudan, by the General Secretary of SPLM/N on the situation in Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Khartoum by highlighting the perspectives for peaceful solutions. The former head of UNMIS in Juba spoke on national and regional challenges for the two states and the role of outsiders. The current situation of Abyei area was considered by a Member of the South Sudan Parliament representing Abyei in Juba.

     

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth, University of Bremen, Justice John Gatwech Lul, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Juba, South Sudan, and Marina Peter, Sudan Focal Point Europe and Conference Chair in a Plenary Discussion on Corruption in Sudan and South Sudan

     

    The conference was attended by around 120 participants, among others by representatives of the civil society of Sudan and South Sudan, by regional and international church organizations and NGOs, by government organizations and ambassadors of Sudan and South Sudan, by media people and researchers on Sudan, by members of the German parliament, by the donor community, and by representatives from the SPLM/N speaking for ethnic and disadvantaged groups in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. The Conference Communique (see Communique Hermannsburg Conference) presents a call for peace, reconciliation and good neighbourliness. The communique emphasizes also: “To avoid new conflicts and ensure sustainable peace, natural resource management and equitable sharing of resources should be a top priority at all levels in society – starting from the bottom-up. Oil is a key element, but a sound economy needs to be built on diversified sources of income. A strategic approach for economic relations between Sudan and South Sudan, with a special focus on the border areas, could help to safeguard peace and good neigbourliness. However, a prerequisite is to immediately address the needs of the people, and the end of armed conflicts.” 

    This Sudan/South Sudan Conference was the 25th in Hermannsburg which was directed by Marina Peter and Hermann Hartmann (see the leaflet informing about these 25 conferences: Leaflet Hermannsburg Conferences).

 

  • Evaluierung von wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Studiengängen in Gießen: Der Bremer Professor Karl Wohlmuth nahm als Mitglied einer Gutachtergruppe an der Evaluierung/Re-Akkreditierung von Wirtschaftsstudiengängen an der Technischen Hochschule Mittelhessen in Gießen teil. Die Wirtschaftsstudiengänge an der Technischen Hochschule Mittelhessen sind in den letzten Jahren konsequent international ausgerichtet worden.

 

  • “Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity”: All UNIDO Project Books are now available as E-Books

    Also the book with the African Country Case Studies on Agro-industry Development which is related to the main document “Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity” is now available as an E-Book. The Country Case Studies were conceived as background materials to the main document. The main document was published in English and in French. The three E-Books can be fully downloaded at: 

    http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=1001692

    At this website also other information about the project can be found, especially the Seven Development Pillars. 

    The books are presented particularly to the benefit of the members of the 3ADI (Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative) and of policy advisers to African governments, especially the ministries of industry and trade being responsible for new industrialization steps. The website of 3ADI contains further information about the Project:

    http://www.3adi.org/Agribusiness_for_Africa_Prosperity

    In a Video about the book “Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity” UNIDO Director General Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella discusses the importance of the study for Africa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C23tW_MjnFE.  

    Further information about the book is provided also in UNIDO’s quarterly magazine Making It: http://www.3adi.org/agribusiness_making_it

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth has contributed to the Project since February 2008 as a Consultant, Author and Editor. In the African Development  Perspectives Yearbook these issues were given attention quite regularly. See details on the various issues of the Yearbook: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm

 

  • 25 Years of Sudan Conferences in Hermannsburg, Lower Saxony:

    The 25th Sudan /South Sudan Conference will be held October 31 - November 2, 2012. Leading personalities from Sudan and South Sudan will attend the conference to exchange views on the current situation and to discuss strategies to create conditions of lasting peace and to provide preconditions for economic development and mutually beneficial cooperation. 

    Since 1987 every year an international Sudan Conference was held in Hermannsburg, organized by the Sudan Forum e. V. and the Sudan Focal Point Europa. The open exchange of views in Hermannsburg between Sudan Government representatives and SPLM representatives has since 1987 contributed to the process that ultimately led to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of January 9, 2005. Now the new problems between Sudan and South Sudan have to be addressed – the  still open separation issues and the unsolved CPA issues. Although nine agreements between the two countries were signed on September 27, 2012 in Addis Ababa, major issues are still open. Also the implementation of the nine agreements has to get started.

    This year the conference is sponsored by Brot für die Welt and by Misereor. Main topics of the Sudan/South Sudan Conference 2012 are the preconditions of lasting peace and the recognition of the rights of the people, the moves towards sound economic policies in the two countries and a strategic economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan, and the ways to overcome the conflicts in Abyei, Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and in other areas of the two countries (Link to Programme).

 

  • Peace and Development in Sudan and South Sudan: Nine Agreements and the Prospects of Long-Term Economic and Political Cooperation

    Various agreements were signed in Addis Ababa on September 27, 2012 concerning unsolved CPA/Comprehensive Peace Agreement Issues and Post-Secession Issues. Nine documents with Agreements emerged from the Sudan and South Sudan Addis Ababa Summit. Two further documents are of great relevance as they are on the unsolved Abyei Issue, one from the African Union (an AU Proposal on the status of Abyei submitted to the two parties in the conflict on 24 September 2012) and the other to the African Union (the Rejection Letter by President Bashir on 26 September 2012 to the AU). These documents are available as full texts (http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?rubrique13). Also other relevant documents can be looked at and downloaded at this website.

    Implementation of these nine agreements can be better watched when the texts are looked at in full details and in the context of prior documents and the AU/UNSC Resolutions. 

    The Cooperation Agreement is particularly weak and vague and does not cover the main issues for a sustainable long-term economic and political cooperation of the two countries (see on these issues the Strategic Framework for Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan with five core cooperation programmes and five supplementary cooperation programmes as outlined by Professor Karl Wohlmuth (http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Siakeu/Short-Wohlmuth-Bonn-6-2012.pdf). 

 

  • Research Cooperation with Nigeria 2012 – 2013:

    Professor Dr. Alabi is soon ending his research visit to IWIM, University of Bremen after a stay of three months financed by a Senior Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation. Further researches are planned for the year 2013 in cooperation with Professor Karl Wohlmuth (see the Report by Professor Alabi and some of his already published studies to be accessed in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM).

     

Professor Dr. R. A. Alabi, Ekpoma, Nigeria

A study on An Analysis of the Impact of Foreign Aid on Nigeria: A Dynamic Specification is under Review and will then also be published in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM.

 

  • Informationsveranstaltung zur Exzellenzinitiative – Kick-off-Veranstaltung:

    Der neue Rektor der Universität Bremen, Professor Dr. Bernd Scholz-Reiter, informiert am 1. November 2012 über die am gleichen Tag beginnende Förderung  durch die DFG (vgl. Link zum Brief des Rektors).

 

  • Zweite Auflage der UNIDO-Studie mit den Länderfallstudien zur Entwicklung von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness in Afrika ist erschienen:

    Die zweite Auflage der UNIDO-Studie Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity - Country Case Studies ist eben erschienen. In acht Länderfallstudien (Äthiopien, Mali, Sambia, Kamerun, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenia und Südafrika), die meist von afrikanischen Wissenschaftlern und Wissenschaftlerinnen dieser Länder erstellt wurden, werden die Entwicklungen von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness untersucht. Es werden auch Vorschläge für eine umfassende Politikreform mit dem Ziel der Stimulierung des Sektors gemacht. In zwei zusammenfassenden Kapiteln werden von Professor Karl Wohlmuth, IWIM, Universität Bremen und Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Direktor für die Region Westafrika der UNIDO die wesentlichen  Ergebnisse der Länderfallstudien zusammengefasst. Die Determinanten der Entwicklung des Sektors und die Perspektiven einer Politikreform zur Förderung des Sektors stehen dabei im Vordergrund. In einem Index der Transformation des Sektors werden die Erfolge bzw. Hemmnisse bei der Entwicklung des Sektors dargestellt.

    Der Bremer Wirtschaftsprofessor Karl Wohlmuth arbeitet seit Februar 2008 an dem Projekt der UNIDO „Value Addition to Africa’s Industry“ mit. 

    Der gesamte Bericht mit den Länderfallstudien kann eingesehen werden über den Link:

    http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Services/Agro-Industries/Agribusiness/AAP_CCS_v4.pdf

     

     

     

    Diese Studie mit den Länderanalysen ist ein Hintergrundbericht zu der umfassenden Grundlagenstudie Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity, die vom Generaldirektor der UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella initiiert wurde. Auch diese Studie kann als E-Book in englischer und in französischer Sprache komplett eingesehen werden (vgl. Links unten).

    Die Studie ist verfügbar als E-Book in englischer Sprache via:

    http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Publications/Pub_sales/Agribusiness_for_Africas_Prosperity_e-book.pdf

    und als E-Book in französischer Sprache via:

    http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Services/Agro-Industries/Agribusiness/agribusiness_french_e-book.pdf

    Diese drei Bücher sind gedacht als Inputs für die Politikreform in diesem Bereich in den afrikanischen Ländern und als Materialien für die Initiative 3ADI/Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (vgl. die relevanten Links zu dieser Initiative: http://www.3adi.org/ und http://www.3adi.org/tl_files/3ADIDocuments/Other%203ADI%20docs/briefing%20note%203adi%201103.pdf). 

 

 

  • Foreign Investment in Uzbekistan: This was the title of a presentation by Dr. Ubaydulla S. Nadirkhanov, a Postdoc Researcher from the Institute of Economy, Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan, Tashkent (see the paper by the author). Obviously Uzbekistan is following a foreign investment strategy so as to modernize and diversify the economy. New trends and policy implications were presented and discussed.

    Dr. Nadirkhanov is a senior guest researcher at the University of Bremen (Faculty of Economics, Research Group Professor Sell), and the research scholarship was financed by the DAAD.

     

    Dr. Nadirkhanov during his presentation

 

 

  • International Research Fellows present their Findings: Professor Dr. R. A. Alabi from Ekpoma, Nigeria (Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Second Term), cooperating with the Research Group on African Development Perspectives (directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth) and Dr.  U. Nadirkhanov from Tashkent, Uzbekistan (DAAD Research Fellow, Second Term), cooperating with the Research Group on Eastern Europe (directed by Professor Axel Sell) will present their research findings on Wednesday, 15 August, 2012, 16-18 p.m. in the University of Bremen, Building WHS 5, Room 0.13. At 18.00 p.m. the Press is invited to interview the two researchers on their scientific work and on the conditions and developments in Nigeria and in Uzbekistan. The Full Programme with Abstracts of the Lectures is ready for download (Full Programme and Abstracts).

 

Our International Research Fellows Professor Alabi from Nigeria and Dr Nadirkhanov from Uzbekistan prepare for their presentations

 

Professor Alabi is listening to the statements and presentations

 

Professor Alabi and Dr. Nadirkhanov after their presentations

 

Dr. Nadirkhanov praises the activities of IWIM which was founded 25 years ago in August 1987

 

The research supervisors Professor Wohlmuth and Professor Sell with their international guests after the closure of the workshop

 

The presentations and/or the papers will be revised by the authors and will then be made public in due time. 

It was agreed to continue the research cooperation between the research groups at the University of Bremen and the partner university institutions in Nigeria and Uzbekistan, and it was also agreed to extend the cooperation to younger researchers in Nigeria and Uzbekistan.

 

  • Is the Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan from August 3, 2012 on Oil a breakthrough in the negotiations?: There are severe doubts that the agreement which was negotiated by the mediator of the African Union (AU) will last for long. The agreement may only bring the resumption of oil production but not sustainable solutions to other open issues between the two countries. Professor Karl Wohlmuth has written a Report on the negotiation issues and on future development cooperation and has proposed a Strategic Framework for Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan. According to his study four complex negotiation complexes have to be solved in a “package agreement” and five areas of economic cooperation matter for future development in the two countries (Links to Paper and to Presentation).

 

  • University of Bremen is excellent: “As one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany, the University of Bremen receives a funding of almost 100 Million Euro over the next five years. How does the university benefit from this? How do the students as well as the state of Bremen benefit from this award? The movie "University of Bremen - now University of Excellence" finds answers to these questions” (Link to the University Homepage: http://www.uni-bremen.de/en/university/exzellenzinitiative.html?cHash=7db4e3ab5ed916b2621b54067ca000c5). 

 

  • Universität Bremen ist exzellent: Der Rektor informierte die Professoren über die Möglichkeiten, die dieser Erfolg der Universität Bremen für Forschungsanträge aus Mitteln der Exzellenzinitiative bietet (Link zu dem Schreiben des Rektors).

 

  • Professor Dr. Karl Heinz Domdey, Direktor des Forschungsinstituts der Internationalen Wissenschaftlichen Vereinigung Weltwirtschaft und Weltpolitik (IWVWW) e. V. ist am 29. Juni 2012 im Alter von 85 Jahren verstorben. Seine Freunde und Kollegen trauern um ihn. Sein letztes großes Werk „Macht, Herrschaft und Kampf in der sozialen Welt“ konnte er mit der Vollendung des 10. Bandes des Dekagons noch abschließen. Die Kooperation zwischen seinem Institut, das er nach der Wende bereits 1990 in Berlin errichtete, und dem IWIM war kontinuierlich sehr eng. Viele gemeinsame Projekte wurden durchgeführt (vgl. die Links http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Jawi2005.htm und  http://www.iwvww.de/ sowie zu den Publikationen des Forschungsinstituts der IWVWW  http://dnb.d-nb.de). Dr. Wilfried Trillenberg ist der neue Direktor des Forschungsinstituts und zugleich der Chefredakteur der Zeitschrift „Berichte“. Wir gratulieren ihm und wünschen viel Erfolg bei der zukünftigen Arbeit.

 

  • A Strategic Framework for Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan: Professor Karl Wohlmuth presented a Strategic Framework for Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan in a Plenary Session at the International Sudan/South Sudan Studies Conference in Bonn (see the programme).  First, he analyzed the growth model of Sudan since Independence and presented the constraints and weaknesses. Second, he emphasized the need to look at the various forms and the levels of interdependence which are persisting between the two states. Beside of the interdependence with regard of the oil sector there are so many other forms, such as the interdependence of the border-states, policy interdependence and the interdependence in environment, climate change adaptation and land policies. Also the persisting causes of conflicts in the two Sudans were discussed, especially the horizontal inequalities between “identity groups” in states, regions, and counties; but also such causes of conflict as vertical inequalities, “creed” and “greed”, weak state institutions, lack of commitment and trust, and the duration of conflicts were analyzed and related to the two Sudans. The high degree of interdependence between the two Sudans and the high levels of horizontal inequality with cross-border effects request forms of economic cooperation between the two states. As well, the three basic concepts “strategy”, “framework” and “cooperation” were presented with regard of the current issues. Third, the feasibility of and the preconditions for the Strategic Framework were discussed, by looking first at the four major negotiation complexes (“border, oil and hydropower”; “citizenship, refugees, and human rights”, “debt, assets and finance”;  and “security, demilitarization and stability”) and then at the feasibility conditions for such a Framework (when regarding key determinants such as interdependence, external instability, opportunities and options). The merits of such a fully negotiated programme are compared with the “Roadmap” of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).  Fourth, five core cooperation programmes and five supplementary cooperation programmes were presented; while the core programmes aim at modifying the growth model of the two Sudans, the supplementary programmes support this turn towards a sustainable growth model. Cooperation potentials are outlined for all the ten programmes; there are huge opportunities which can be realized in the long-term. These programmes are based on bottom-up growth strategies and are needed prior to and in addition to the conventional top-down growth strategies; growth diagnostics at state levels is used to pursue the new approach. Fifth, the first steps towards initiating such a programme were also presented.

    In a working group chaired by Professor Wohlmuth on the “Economic Development of the Border-States in Sudan and South Sudan” the centrality of these ten states as a powerhouse and as a growth pole on the one side and as a region affected by conflicts and war(s) on the other side was discussed. Proposals for peace, reconstruction and development were presented by the panel speakers. Two experts from the Sudan and two experts from South Sudan were invited and presented their analyses. The growth diagnostics approach was applied to two states in the border-region (Blue Nile State in Sudan and Western Bahr el Ghazal State in South Sudan). Cross-border cooperation of indigenous population groups was outlined with regard of South Kordofan and North Bahr el Ghazal. The history of oil politics was discussed with regard of the political decisions for the location of refineries and oil installations.

    The presentation A Strategic Framework for Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan by Professor Wohlmuth at the International Sudan/South Sudan Conference in Bonn is available as a PDF (Presentation).

 

  • Workshop „Resource-rich Developing and Transition Countries: The Cases of Nigeria and Uzbekistan“ on August 15, 2012: Professor Axel Sell (from the Working Group Eastern Europe) and Professor Karl Wohlmuth (from the Working Group African Development Perspectives) jointly invite to a Research Workshop on August 15, 2012 at the University of Bremen in Building WHS 5, Room 0.13, at 16-18 p.m. 

    Two Senior Research Scholars will report on their researches:

    Professor Dr. Reuben A. Alabi from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria is an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow and Dr. Ubaydulla Nadirkhanov from the Tashkent State Institute for Oriental Studies is a DAAD Research Fellow.  

    Programme of the Workshop on August 15, 2012, 16-18 p.m. in WHS 5, Room 0.13:

    Introduction: Professors Axel Sell and Karl Wohlmuth

    Lecture and Discussion: The Aid-Growth Link in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Case of Nigeria, Presentation by Professor Alabi

    Lecture and Discussion: Direct Investment in a Resource-rich Transition Economy. The Case of Uzbekistan, Presentation by Dr. Nadirkhanov

    Final Discussion: Can the two Country Cases be compared?

    Conclusions: Professors Axel Sell and Karl Wohlmuth

    Participation: is for the public possible free of charge, but a notification is requested at: iwimsek@uni-bremen.de or at:  wohlmuth@uni-bremen.de or at: sell@uni-bremen.de

    As IWIM was founded in August 1987 this event is also a good opportunity to think about the research work of the past 25 years and about future tasks.

 

  • Globaler Technologietransfer – Was kann Afrika gewinnen?: In einem Vortrag anlässlich der Eröffnung der Tagung „Afrikanische Perspektiven: Was kann Afrika gewinnen“ referierte Professor Karl Wohlmuth über die verschiedenen Kanäle bzw. Wege des Technologietransfers nach Afrika. Eingegangen wurde insbesondere auch auf die heimische Absorption von ausländischen Technologien. Die Absorptionsbedingungen wurden in Bezug auf Innovations- und Technologieindikatoren für die drei Länder Ghana, Mali und Südafrika beleuchtet. Auf das Nationale Innovationssystem von Ruanda wurde eingegangen, da dieses Land dabei ist, die agro-industrielle Entwicklung konsequent auf der Basis von Wissenschaft, Technik und Innovation/Science, Technology and Innnovation (STI) auszurichten. Am Beispiel des Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI)-Programms wurde das Agrarinnovationssystem von Uganda dargestellt, um zu zeigen, welche konkreten Möglichkeiten es gibt, Produktion und Markt durch Innovationen besser aufeinander abzustimmen und so die ländliche Entwicklung zu fördern. Die neuen Ansätze der Koppelung bzw. parallelen Nutzung von verschiedenen Modernisierungsvarianten („Regenbogenstrategie“) wurden am Beispiel der Saatgutversorgung in afrikanischen Ländern erläutert. Abschließend wurde auf die Bedingungen eingegangen, um aus den Technologietransfers maximalen Nutzen zu ziehen.

    In vier Arbeitsgruppen wurden spezielle Thematiken aus den Bereichen Energie/Desertec, Telekommunikation, Medizintechnik und Recycling behandelt. Der Workshop wurde vom BeN/Bremer entwicklungspolitisches Netzwerk e.V. veranstaltet (Link: http://www.ben-bremen.de/veranstaltungskalender/icalrepeat.detail/2012/06/29/419/). Eine Auswertung der Fachtagung ist vom BeN geplant. Die Reihe „Afrikanische Perspektiven“ wird in jährlicher Folge durchgeführt. 

    Die Präsentation von Professor Karl Wohlmuth liegt als PDF vor (Link).

 

  • The Programme of the 9th International Sudan and South Sudan Studies Conference in Bonn, July 2012: The preliminary programme of the World Congress on Sudan Studies was just released (see details). The programme is composed of plenary sessions and parallel panel sessions. Various important issues of the two Sudan will be discussed with an interdisciplinary focus, and especially so the current political and economic developments in the two states of Sudan will be given attention by a great number of international scholars. 

    Some of the major issues discussed are: Economic Development of the Border States in Sudan and South Sudan; Border Politics; Old and New National Identities in the two Sudan; Language and Society; New Citizenship; Constitutions; Youth in the two Sudan; Peace and Peace-Building; Security Challenges; Land Issues; South Sudan in the Wider Region; Aid and Development; Economic Issues and Natural Resources; and Water Issues.

    The conference is organised by leading researchers on the two Sudan from three research institutions/scientific societies: Dr. Elke Grawert, Bonn International Center for Conversion/BICC, Bonn for the German side, Douglas H. Johnson, Oxford University, for the Sudan Studies Society UK/ SSSUK, and Dr. Abdullahi A. Gallab, Arizona State University, for the Sudan Studies Association USA/SSA USA. 

    The programme - as it is regularly updated - will be accessible at: http://www.bicc.de/events/2012-2/international-sudan-and-south-sudan-studies-conference.html

    A great number of participants from Sudan and South Sudan is also expected to come to Bonn. Because of the dramatic current problems and tensions between Sudan and the newly independent state of South Sudan a great interest of the international press is also expected.

 

  • Science, Technology and Innovation and the Promotion of Agribusiness in Africa: In an essay Professor Karl Wohlmuth discusses three levels of action for promoting agriculture, agro-industry and agribusiness in Africa - the level of sectors and sub-sectors, the level of value chains and the level of competitive firms and products. It is shown that progress depends on strategies to create linkages between sectors, to integrate value chains and to convert comparative advantages into competitive positions. The role of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is relevant at all the three levels, and specific support strategies are proposed and recommended. STI is a major force which can be productively used also in low developed African countries. Although some African countries have made progress in linking agribusiness development and STI, like Rwanda, much more needs to be done at national, regional and sector levels. 

    The essay will be published in a long version (in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers Number 124) and as a short version (in an edited volume on West African Fruits and Crops, based on a research project directed by Professor Hans-Heinrich Bass, Bremen University of Applied Sciences).

     

  • The „United States of Europe“ and the Euro: Professor Karl Wohlmuth has submitted a paper at the Annual Conference of the Research Institute of the IWVWW on The “United States of Europe” – A revival?. The conference was held at the Humboldt University in Berlin on May 11, 2012. The Research Institute is a partner institute of IWIM. In the conference contribution Professor Karl Wohlmuth highlights the relevance of the concept of the “United States of Europe” for the stabilization of the Euro system:

    The discussion about the “United States of Europe” is intensified in recent times, in political as well as in academic circles. This has various reasons: first, it is considered as necessary to deepen the European integration process because of the fact that various important policy areas are not yet covered. Second, steps towards political unification are considered as vital in order to save the Euro as it turned out that crisis management so far was not successful in Europe. Third, the formation of the G20 group shows that Europe has to unify politically in order to impact on the decision-making processes on world economy and world politics affairs. 

    Experiences over 30 months of hectic crisis management in Europa show that five issues are most important and have to be addressed: first, the failure of the European Constitution has quite negative effects on European integration and on crisis management as the Lisbon Treaty is not a full substitute; second, the economic policies in Europe are not coherent as there were no further steps towards a unified European economic policy; third, the European Central Bank is overburdened with tasks as there is no balance between various economic policy actors in the Eurozone; fourth, the lack of progress towards a deeper European integration process is paralyzing decision-making processes in Europe and is leading to uneven and unsustainable growth patterns; and fifth, the neglect of all lessons from the “political economy of reform policies” in Europe has impeded seriously the crisis management. 

    It is shown in this contribution that these five properties of the unfinished European integration process have negative repercussions on Europe, and especially so on the Eurozone and the Euro. Therefore concerted steps towards political unification and towards the project “United States of Europe” are inevitable in order to save the Euro, the Eurozone and the European integration process.

    The paper is published as the number 41 in the Globalization of the World Economy Series of IWIM (Link IWIM White Series Discussion Papers). An extended and revised version of the conference paper will be published in the next issue of “Berichte”, the journal of the Research Institute of IWVWW in Berlin. The paper is in German language but has an English Abstract.

 

 

  • Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa: International Call for Papers for Volume 16 of the Africa Yearbook

    Because of the great number of submissions for Volume 16 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook the International Call for Papers is closed for Unit 1 (Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa: Major Issues), Unit 2 (Macroeconomic Policy Formation in North African “Arab Spring” Countries) and Unit 3 (Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Fragile and Post-Conflict African Countries). 

    Still open is the International Call for Papers for Unit 4 (Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Western and Central Africa), particularly for submissions on Central African countries, and for Unit 5 (Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Eastern and Southern Africa). 

    Also for Unit 6 (Book Reviews and Book Notes) further inputs (books, discussion papers, research papers, research documents) from publishers, development institutions and research institutes are welcomed.

    Call for Papers Volume 16: Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa

 

  • Second Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for a Study on “Aid and Growth in Nigeria” at IWIM: 

    Professor Alabi was granted a second research fellowship from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to do research in Bremen at IWIM on the theme of Sectoral Analysis of the Impact of Foreign Aid in Nigeria: A Dynamic Specification (see the Research Plan). The research programme was prepared in cooperation with Professor Karl Wohlmuth. Professor Alabi will stay for three months from end of June 2012 to early October 2012 at IWIM. He will cooperate in his research with other institutions in Europe (like WIDER, GIGA, OECD Development Centre, DIE, etc.) which are working on the aid-growth link, and he will also give seminars on his research results. Professor Alabi is from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. He is associated with IWIM since 2004 and has continuously contributed to the Publications Programme of IWIM (Link: IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

 

  • Kooperation mit CODESRIA, Dakar: Der Bremer Wirtschaftsprofessor Karl Wohlmuth kooperiert mit dem Publications and Dissemination Programme von CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa) in Dakar. CODESRIA ist die führende sozialwissenschaftliche Forschungseinrichtung in Afrika (Link CODESRIA: http://www.codesria.org/?lang=en).

 

  • Cooperation with CODESRIA, Dakar: Professor Karl Wohlmuth cooperates with the Publications and Dissemination Programme of CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa) in Dakar. CODESRIA is the leading social science research organization in Africa (Link CODESRIA: http://www.codesria.org/?lang=en).

 

  • Economics of Public Expenditures In Nigeria: Professor Dr. Alabi from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria has published two new books being of importance for Nigeria’s economic development. 

    The first book (Link to Cover and Content) analyses the Economics of Public Sector Spending in Nigeria. Professor Alabi has applied a methodology to analyze if public sector spending for education and health is pro-poor which he has developed during his 18-months-stay as an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at IWIM. Various researchers of his research group in Ekpoma at the Ambrose Alli University have contributed to this volume. 

    The second book is on Fertilizer Use and Efficiency of Rice Production (Link to Cover and Content). The book analyzes the effect of fertilizer use on rice production using Edo State in Nigeria as a case study. 

    Professor Alabi is expected to come to IWIM end of June 2012 to stay for a three months period for research on “Aid, Growth and Nigerian Development”.

 

 

  • International Sudan Studies Conference in Bonn, July 2012:  

    Identity, Economy, Power Relations and External Interests: Old and New Challenges for Sudan and South Sudan

    Venue: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Reginal Pacis-Weg 3, HS 1,7,8,9, Bonn, Germany

    Date: 23-25 July 2012

    Submission of Abstracts for Papers and Proposals for Panels: The International Sudan Studies Conference will take place this year in Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 23-25 July 2012, organized by Dr. Elke Grawert, a former IWIM staff and now working as a senior researcher at BICC in Bonn. The Call for Papers (Link to Call for Papers) invites submissions in line with the general theme of the conference, but also other submissions of interest to researchers on Sudan and South Sudan are welcomed. The three-annual International Sudan Studies Conference of the Sudan Studies Association (SSA) USA and the Sudan Studies Society (SSS) UK will be held at the University of Bonn in Germany. Abstracts of proposed papers, panels and roundtables (please limit to 150-200 words) may be sent to: Dr. Abdullahi A. Gallab, African and African-American Studies, Religious Studies, Arizona State University, Email: abdullahi.gallab@asu.edu. A copy may be sent to Dr. Douglas H. Johnson, Email: douglas@wendoug.free-online.co.uk and to Dr. Elke Grawert, Email: grawert@bicc.de until 31st of March 2012.

    Programme: The conference will open with an emphasis on identity, especially issues of gender, citizenship, integration, history, memory and the geographical challenges of the separation. Its second day will be devoted to economic issues, particularly economic development prospects, urbanization and social transformation in Sudanand South Sudan and issues regarding oil, water and other resources. The conference’s final day will examine both internal and external power relationships including Sudan-South Sudan relations, old and new conflicts, party formation and strategic and security issues. 

 

  • Global Food Price Increases, Speculation, Land Grabbing and Effective Public Policy Interventions:

    In a new essay Professor Karl Wohlmuth analyses the impact of the global food price increases on Africa (Link: IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers Number 123). While the global food price increases have an impact on the domestic food prices in African countries, these impacts depend on country and product characteristics. In this study the impact of speculation on the prices of food products which are traded at global markets is also considered. Speculation is a determining factor of global food prices and has impacts also on domestic African food prices. However, new evidence shows that land grabbing (large-scale land deals in institutionally weak African countries like South Sudan) may be considered as a direct and most serious form of speculation. Land grabbing can lead to land hoarding in case of delayed production, to a replacement of food crops by energy crops and export crops, and to further speculative deals with parts of the originally leased land. Land grabbing is therefore another form of speculation with impacts on domestic food prices of African countries. The obvious concentration of land deals in institutionally weak African countries like South Sudan is a serious matter and requests urgent public action. Public action is therefore needed to respond to the global food price increases and to land grabbing at national, regional and global levels. The essay by Professor Karl Wohlmuth outlines the public policy actions that may be effective at these three levels.

     

 

  • Ökonomische Afrikaforschung an der Universität Bremen: Professor Karl Wohlmuth berichtete in der Ratskelleruniversität der unifreunde über drei aktuelle Projekte der Afrikaforschung in seinem Arbeitsbereich. Näher eingegangen wurde auf eine kürzlich veröffentlichte Studie mit acht Länderbeispielen zur Perspektive von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness in Afrika (Link: Neues Projekt Agroindustrie). Referiert wurde zum Thema „Potentiale von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness in Afrika – Ergebnisse einer vergleichenden Länderstudie“ (Link zu PDF Vortrag).

 

 

  • New UNIDO Report on Africa’s Agroindustry and Agribusiness Released in Vienna : Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth and UNIDO Director for West Africa Patrick M. Kormawa have released the new report Agribusiness for Africa ’s Prosperity, Country Case Studies. The report contains eight case studies ( Cameroon , Ethiopia , Kenya , Mali , Nigeria , Senegal , South Africa , and Zambia ). Throughout these country case studies analyze the following issues: the case for agro-industrial development; the structure and dynamics of agro-industries; the policies for developing agro-industries; the key policy factors for promoting agribusiness; and the visions, plans, and way forward.

 

  • Sudan Governance Research Project 2005 – 2011:

    After six years of research and training the Project “Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of January 9, 2005” has ended. The interdisciplinary Research Project covering economics, political science, history and geography disciplines had two components, a research component and a training component.

    In the Research Component the project partners (professors of the partner universities in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Germany who were funded in their research programmes related to the project) and the students (PhD and Master students who were financed by the project) worked on specific issues of governance, reconstruction and development after more than two decades of civil war in Sudan. The purpose was to investigate into the conditions of reconstruction, development and governance reforms after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This was done in order to follow up the actions and policies in Sudan in the transition period to the Referendum in South Sudan on Independence and then the Independence Declaration of South Sudan. Major issue was to derive lessons from the two peaceful periods of Sudan for future cooperation and development in Sudan - the period of 1972 - 1983 after the Addis Ababa Agreement and the transition period of 2005 – 2011 which started after the CPA of January 9, 2005. These were the only peaceful periods in the history of independent Sudan. Since the Independence Declaration of South Sudan on July 9, 2011 the hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan have intensified again (parallel to conflicts within the two countries).

    In the Training Component the PhD and Master students participated in altogether 15 workshops in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and in Bremen, Germany to discuss research topics, methodologies and draft papers and chapters. New research methodologies and research concepts related to governance, development and the reconstruction of institutions were presented. Major results of the workshop presentations and of PhD and Master researches were published in the IWIM Book Series as numbers 15 and 18 (Link: IWIM Book Series) and in the IWIM Report Series as number 40 (Link: IWIM White Series Papers). With the exception of the Report Series Number 40 all other books are sales publications. Other research results from the workshops were published with James Currey (Link: http://www.jamescurrey.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=13477).

    The project was directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and by Dr. Elke Grawert, a former IWIM staff. The Project was funded generously by the Volkswagen Foundation with around € 800,000. The Project Coordinator over the six year period, Dr. Elke Grawert, is now preparing the Final Report on behalf of the Project Partners from Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Germany.

    Dr. Elke Grawert, now working as a Senior Expert at BICC in Bonn, is organizing the next International Sudan Studies Conference to be held at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Universität in Bonn which is planned for July 2012. Professor Wohlmuth continues with a new Research Project on “Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011” (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/NeuesProjektEcoPolinSudan.htm ). The purpose is to reflect on sustainable economic policies but also to investigate into new models of economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan.

     

  • Lessons for Africa from the Global Financial and Economic Crisis of 2008/09:

    A new study by Professor Karl Wohlmuth investigates the impacts of the global financial and economic crisis of 2008/2009 on Africa. The repercussions on Africa ’s primary commodity exports, on capital inflows, on remittances and on development aid are investigated. It is obvious that the impacts of the crisis are quite different - category by category, region by region and country by country. Also the growth impacts and the social impacts of the crisis differ. However, the poverty risk and the risk of malnutrition have increased Africa-wide, and women and children were mostly affected.

    Interestingly enough, Africa has responded quickly and innovatively to the emerging crisis, with anti-cyclical fiscal policies and even with comprehensive stimulation programmes (packages). Not all countries could go this way, but countries with only moderate budget and current account imbalances could do it. Reducing macroeconomic imbalances over the medium-term has paid off for African countries. Successful in responding and managing the crisis were those countries which have integrated over the years effectively into regional economic communities, which have promoted infrastructure development and which have developed the productive sectors of their economies (agriculture and industry, but also productive services). Nonetheless, the assessment reveals that the national strategies in Africa to strengthen crisis management and crisis prevention can be further improved.

    The study also looks at the lessons that can be derived for national economic policies in Africa, for regional economic communities in Africa, and for international financial organisations and actors in development assistance in their Africa policy. Important lessons for policies emerge. National governments should concentrate on a further consolidation of their macroeconomic policies, but should also focus on agricultural and agro-industrial development as well as on moves towards deeper regional integration and the establishment of minimum social safety nets. Regional African and international actors can support such policies by innovative programmes and by long-term-oriented policies. Various examples are given that show how regional and international actors effectively can adapt conventional programmes, develop new programmes and create financial facilities that are instrumental for quickly responding to the needs of the African countries being affected by financial crises and exogenous shocks.

    The study by Professor Karl Wohlmuth appeared in the Journal Berichte, Volume 22, Number 194/195, January/February 2012, which is published by the International Scientific Association for World Economy and World Politics in Berlin (see Publications Karl Wohlmuth). An extended version of the study with an English Summary can be found in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers for downloading (see IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

     

  • Globale Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise und Lehren für die Wirtschaftspolitik in Afrika: 

    In einer neuen Studie untersucht Professor Karl Wohlmuth zunächst die ökonomischen und die sozialen Auswirkungen der globalen Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise von 2008/2009 auf Afrika. Eine differenzierte Sicht ist dabei notwendig. Die Übertragung der Krisenfolgen auf Afrika erfolgte über verschiedene Kanäle, insbesondere über die Primärgüterexporte (Öl und mineralische Rohstoffe, Agrarprodukte und agrarische Rohmaterialien), aber auch über die Kapitalzuflüsse (Direktinvestitionen und Portfolioinvestitionen), die Gastarbeiterüberweisungen (bzw. Überweisungen von der Diaspora) und die Entwicklungshilfe (bilateral und multilateral, OECD-DAC und Nicht-OECD). Die sozialen Auswirkungen der Krise sind gravierend gewesen, denn für weite Teile der Bevölkerung hat sich das Armutsrisiko erhöht, und für Teile der Bevölkerung auch das Unterernährungsrisiko; besonders betroffen waren Frauen und Kinder. Zudem sind die Bildungs- und Gesundheitssysteme in Afrika durch die Krise beeinträchtigt worden, aber auch die Leistungsfähigkeit der Infrastruktur im Verkehrs- und Kommunikationsbereich nahm Schaden.

    Dennoch hat Afrika es vermocht, durch antizyklische Fiskalpolitik und durch innovative Stimulierungsprogramme gestaltend auf die Krise zu reagieren, und auch Kernbereiche der sozialen Sektoren zu schützen. In diesem Beitrag werden auch die Lehren für die nationale, regionale und internationale Wirtschaftspolitik gezogen. Es geht also darum, wie afrikanische Regierungen, regionale Wirtschaftsgemeinschaften in Afrika und internationale Finanz- und Wirtschaftsorganisationen bzw. die Institutionen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit in ihrem Afrikaengagement tätig werden können, um Krisenfolgen für Afrika zukünftig abzumildern und das Krisenmanagement insgesamt zu verbessern. Auf nationaler Ebene sind die Fortführung der makroökonomischen Konsolidierungspolitik und die Ausrichtung der Politik auf Landwirtschaftsförderung und Agroindustrie, auf vertiefte regionale Integration und auf soziale Sicherung wichtige Eckpfeiler einer neuen Strategie. Auf regionaler Ebene und auf internationaler Ebene können diese neuen Prioritäten gezielt unterstützt werden. Auch diesbezüglich werden in der Studie konkrete Vorschläge gemacht und Beispiele gegeben.

    Die Studie ist in der Zeitschrift Berichte, 22. Jg., Nr. 194/195, Januar/Februar 2012, herausgegeben von der Internationalen Wissenschaftlichen Vereinigung Weltwirtschaft und Weltpolitik/IWVWW Berlin, erschienen. Eine etwas erweiterte Fassung der Studie findet sich in der Blauen Reihe der Diskussionspapiere des IWIM (vgl. IWIM Blaue Reihe Diskussionspapiere).

 

  • New UNIDO Report on Africa’s Agroindustry and Agribusiness Released in Vienna : Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth and UNIDO Director for West Africa Patrick M. Kormawa have released the new  report Agribusiness for Africa ’s Prosperity, Country Case Studies. The report contains eight case studies ( Cameroon , Ethiopia , Kenya , Mali , Nigeria , Senegal , South Africa , and Zambia ). Throughout these country case studies analyze the following issues: the case for agro-industrial development; the structure and dynamics of agro-industries; the policies for developing agro-industries; the key policy factors for promoting agribusiness; and the visions, plans, and way forward.

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth and UNIDO Director Kormawa highlight the issues and give an overview of the study in the first chapter on Context of Agro-industry in Africa . The country cases are reviewed and assessed. Interesting results for policymakers emerged from the case studies: the ranking of the eight countries according to the actual transformation stage of agro-industry and agribusiness reveals that landlocked and least developed countries can develop these branches of industry with positive effects on employment, poverty reduction, value addition and trade creation, and with sustainable effects on agricultural development and industrialization.

    In the final chapter Conclusions the two editors of the report give lessons of more general developmental importance that were derived from the study; as well recommendations for policymakers are presented so as to enable them to modify agro-industrial development policies. Also there are views presented in the report on necessary changes and refinements for UNIDO projects and programs  in the eight countries. A New Industrial Policy Framework is proposed and outlined in some detail.

    The report gives evidence on the state of agribusiness in these eight countries and is intended to equip policymakers with new analysis, new facts, innovative solutions and comparative insights. The Report is  part of the UNIDO project Value Addition to African Industry/Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity that was guided by the UNIDO Director General Kandeh K. Yumkella and executed by Patirck M. Kormawa, UNIDO Director for West Africa. Professor Karl Wohlmuth has worked as an International Consultant in this Project (see details about the New Project Agro-industries and for bibliographic reference the Publications Karl Wohlmuth).

 

  • Evaluierung von Studiengängen in Wolfsburg, Fakultät Wirtschaft: Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth wurde in ein Gremium zur Re-Akkreditierung bzw. Erst-Akkreditierung von Studiengängen an der Ostfalia, Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, Fakultät Wirtschaft, in Wolfsburg berufen. Die  Fakultät Wirtschaft hat sieben Studiengänge, darunter  vier Bachelor– und drei Masterstudiengänge. Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Strategisches Management und Wirtschaft für Ingenieure sind dabei wichtige Studienfelder. Die Kooperation mit der Autoindustrie in Wolfsburg ist eng; zudem wird interdisziplinär gearbeitet, insbesondere auch durch gemeinsame Programme in Lehre und Forschung mit den Fakultäten Fahrzeugbau und Gesundheitswesen.

 

  • Akademische Disputation an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Anlässlich des 85. Geburtstages von Prof Dr. Karl Heinz Domdey fand an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin im November 2011 eine Akademische Disputation statt. Geehrt wurde Prof. Dr. Karl Heinz Domdey für seine bedeutenden Beiträge zur Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftsanalyse und für seine unermüdliche und erfolgreiche Arbeit für das Forschungsinstitut der Internationalen Wissenschaftlichen Vereinigung für Weltwirtschaft und Weltpolitik/IWVWW e. V. Das IWIM gratuliert dem Jubilar sehr herzlich und dankt ihm für die enge und vertrauensvolle Kooperation in den letzten 20 Jahren. Mit der Zeitschrift „Berichte“ hat Prof. Domdey ein wichtiges wissenschaftliches Publikationsorgan geschaffen, das auch früheren DDR-Ökonomen eine Stimme gab. In den „Berichten“ werden Beiträge zu wichtigen wirtschafts- und gesellschaftspolitischen Fragen dargelegt und aus unterschiedlicher Sichtweise präsentiert. Der dokumentarische Teil enthält viele wichtige Dokumente von europäischer und internationaler Bedeutung.

    Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth vom IWIM ist Mitglied des Präsidiums der IWVWW e. V. (Link zur Homepage: http://www.iwvww.de/ ). Das IWIM und seine MitarbeiterInnen haben in den „Berichten“ zahlreiche Aufsätze veröffentlicht und auch in anderen Reihen des Berliner Forschungsinstituts publiziert.  Ein gemeinsames Forschungsprogramm vom Forschungsinstitut der IWVWW e. V. und vom IWIM zum Thema „Transformationsprozesse in Osteuropa und Ostasien“  ist über viele Jahre sehr erfolgreich durchgeführt worden (vgl. Link zu dem Kooperationsprogramm: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Jawi2005.htm). Prof. Domdey ist an weiteren Beiträgen aus dem Umfeld des IWIM für die Publikationsorgane des Forschungsinstituts der IWVWW e. V. sehr interessiert.

     

  • Abschiedssymposium für den GIGA-Präsidenten: Der Präsident des GIGA (German Institute of Global and Area Studies) in Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Robert Kappel, wurde Ende September 2011 nach 7 Jahren der Leitung des GIGA feierlich verabschiedet. Professor Dr. Kappel hat die Institute und Forschungsbereiche des GIGA zielstrebig und erfolgreich umstrukturiert und zukunftsweisend ausgerichtet.

    Prof. Dr. Kappel war ein Gründungsmitglied der Research Group on African Development Perspectives in Bremen (Link Research Group) und hat auch an der letzten Ausgabe des African Development Perspectives Yearbook mitgearbeitet (Link African Development Perspectives Yearbook).

    In den nächsten Jahren wird sich Professor Dr. Kappel am GIGA mit dem Forschungsthema „Regional Powers and Global Order“ befassen, also mit der neuen Rolle von China, Indien und Brasilien in der Weltwirtschaft und für die internationale Politik.

     

 

 

 

 

  • Global Food Price Increases and Repercussions on Africa: Professor Karl Wohlmuth has published an article in The International Journal for Rural Development, Volume 45/Number 5/2011 to assess the repercussions of the global food price increases since 2010/2011 on Africa . The impacts are severe, but there are differences with regard of country groupings, social groups and African sub-regions. The various impacts are studied as these do not affect only the macro-economy and the poor people, but also the development options and the long-term development perspectives of Africa . Definitions and classifications are clarified so that the transmission effects and the poverty impacts of the global food price increases can be analyzed. It is considered which food items, which countries and which country groupings are affected by the price increases on the world market. Fragile and conflict countries, food insecure countries and oil exporting countries are affected most by the global price increases of food products and especially staple crops. But also the poor in net food exporting countries may suffer.

    African countries are exporters of food and agriculture products but wheat and rice are important import commodities. The transmission effects of global price increases to domestic prices and the impacts of price increases on the poor (looked at as consumers and producers) are considered as well. Empirical evidence that is available from the 2007/2008 global food price increases shows that in many cases there is no long-term relationship between changes in international and changes of domestic food prices in Africa , so that local, national and sub-regional structural factors are important for explaining the fact of high and increasing domestic prices in African countries. Public interventions are needed at national, regional and global levels to work out and implement feasible strategies which may help to counterbalance the impacts of global food price increases and to overcome the structural factors being responsible for the food price increases. A package of measures is then proposed for national, regional and global policies by referring to short-term, medium-term and long-term actions.

    An extended version of the study will appear soon in the IWIM Discussion Papers (see Publications Karl Wohlmuth).

 

 

  • Vortrag über den Süd- Sudan an der Universität Erfurt: Professor Karl Wohlmuth hielt im November 2011 an der Universität Erfurt einen Vortrag zum Thema „Die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung der Republik Süd-Sudan“. Der Wirtschaftsprofessor ging auf folgende Aspekte des Themas ein: die aktuelle Lage des Süd-Sudan nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung vom 9. Juli 2011; die großen Potentiale an natürlichen Ressourcen und die zahlreichen Konflikte an den Grenzen und im Süd-Sudan; die Bedingungen für den Aufbau einer funktionsfähigen Volkswirtschaft; die Notwendigkeit einer umfassenden Wachstums- und Armutsbekämpfungsstrategie für den Süd-Sudan; die Menschenrechte, die Regierungsführung und die ökonomischen Teile der Übergangs-Verfassung vom 7. Juli 2011 (Siehe die Präsentation über den Süd- Sudan von Professor Wohlmuth).

 

  • Public Expenditures and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria : At a workshop in Ekpoma , Nigeria Professor Dr. Alabi, a former Alexander von Humboldt Research Associate at IWIM, gave a keynote speech  on ‘Marginal Benefit Incidence (MBI) Analysis of Public Spending in Nigeria ’. Dr Reuben Alabi said that there was need for pro-poor policies in order to “accelerate the speed at which the poor benefit more from increases in access to social utilities in Nigeria ”. A purpose was to inform the Nigerian population in advance of the national elections about the mismanagement of the public funds. The report on the workshop is of interest as it shows that only a small share of public funds allocated to the states and local communities is arriving on the ground (see the Workshop Report from Professor Dr. Alabi). The research on the issues of education and health was done by Professor Dr. Alabi at his time in Bremen . He has spent 18 months as a research fellow financed by the A v Humboldt Foundation. Professor Dr. Alabi is preparing another visit to IWIM in Bremen so as to research on “Aid dependency and growth of Nigeria” (see the publications of Professor Dr. Alabi on the issues of “Marginal Benefit Incidence of Education and Health Expenditures” published in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

 

 

  • Sozialpolitik im Sudan/Süd-Sudan: Professor Karl Wohlmuth hat die sozialen Sicherungssysteme im Sudan und im Süd-Sudan auf der Grundlage des ESCWA-Ansatzes untersucht (vgl. ESCWA/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, 2009, Integrated Social Policy, Visions And Strategies In The ESCWA Region, Report III, New York: United Nations 2009, Report 09-0427, 73 pages). Dieser Ansatz geht davon aus, dass die sozialen Sicherungssysteme in drei konzentrischen Kreisen analysiert werden können. Der innerste Kreis umfasst die sozialen Sicherungssysteme auf gesetzlicher Grundlage und die direkten Armutsbekämpfungsprogramme. Im nächsten Kreis geht es um Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung des Zugangs zu Gesundheits- und Bildungseinrichtungen und um Initiativen zur aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik. Im äußeren Kreis geht es um alle makroökonomischen und wirtschaftspolitischen Maßnahmen, die für die soziale Sicherung breiter Schichten der Bevölkerung wichtig sind (Landwirtschafts- Agroindustrieentwicklung, Unterstützung der Mikrounternehmen des informellen Sektors und Kleinindustrieförderung, Infrastrukturpolitik, Finanzierungspolitik durch Mikrofinanzinstitute, Regionalpolitik udn städtische Entwicklung, etc.). Im Sudan und im Süd-Sudan sind die sozialen Sicherungsnetze im innersten Kreis von sehr geringer Bedeutung. Daher sind die Maßnahmen in Bezug auf die anderen beiden Kreise von herausragender Bedeutung für die soziale Sicherung. Auch neue Initiativen (konditionierte bzw. nichtkonditionierte Barzahlungsprogramme und öffentliche Beschäftigungsprogramme) werden diskutiert. Der Beitrag wird in einem Kompendium zur globalen Sozialpolitik erscheinen (vgl. Publikationen Karl Wohlmuth).

 

  • Professor Karl Wohlmuth hat über den neuen Ansatz der UNIDO zur Entwicklung der Agroindustrie in Afrika referiert und Kernpunkte zusammengefasst (vgl. den kurzen Bericht und die Power Point-Präsentation). Professor Wohlmuth hat als UN-Konsulent an dem Bericht mitgearbeitet.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Seminar für Führungskräfte des Anti-Smuggling Bureau GACC in Bremen

Vom 29.06.- 05.07.2011 wurde in Bremen durch das Zentrum für Weiterbildung (ZWB) der Universität Bremen ein Seminar für Führungskräfte des Anti-Smuggling Bureau der VR China durchgeführt. Die wissenschaftliche Leitung lag bei Prof. Dr. Axel Sell (IWIM). Organisiert wurde das Seminar durch Dipl.-Päd. Helmut Passe-Tietjen vom ZWB.

Behandelt wurden Fragen der Weltwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung, Fragen des Weltwirtschaftsrechts, Regeln der WTO, insbesondere Dumping und Anti-Dumping-Maßnahmen, Rechtsgrundlagen des geistigen Eigentums und des Sacheigentums in der EU, Urheberrecht und verwandte Schutzrechte, der Gewerbliche Rechtsschutz, die Organisation des Verbraucherschutzes, Fragen interkulturellen Managements, Korruption und deren Bekämpfung in westlichen und anderen Ländern, sowie Aspekte des Arbeitsrechtes. Referenten waren neben den Organisatoren Prof. Dr. Klaus Bönkost, Dipl.-Ök. Henning Behrens, Dipl.-Ök. Sven Fiegehenn,  Dipl.-Psych. Mara Heinrichs und Dr. Nadia Ianeva.

 

 

 

  • A new UN Report on Africa was released by UNIDO. The Report „Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity“ highlights the prospects of industrialization in Africa based on sustainable agricultural development. Seven development pillars are outlined and give the basis for a new strategy and for an action plan. UNIDO and other international and regional African organizations are working towards its implementation. Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen has contributed to this Report with an essay on the development pillar “Science, Technology, Innovation”. The title of his essay is “Strengthening Technological Effort and Innovation Capabilities” (see more about the Project Agro-Industries)

 

 

 
  • Impacts of the Global Financial Crisis on the Economic Reforms in Africa: The Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen releases the new volume 15 of the Yearbook, dealing with the impacts of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on Economic Reform Processes in Africa. Covered are: first, analytical studies on the impacts of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on growth, trade, employment, living standards and poverty, finance and development, banks and capital markets, and on government reform policies; second, country case studies (for Nigeria, Botswana, and Cameroon); and third, a sub-regional analysis of impacts and a detailed economic outlook for an important sub-region (for ECOWAS). Professor Karl Wohlmuth is one of the editors of the publication. Professor Hans Heinrich Bass has organized the conference where the first drafts were presented. Dr. Tobias Knedlik, Researcher at IWH Halle an der Saale, the Managing Editor of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook since Volume 15, invites submissions for Volume 16 of the Yearbook on the theme “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa” (link zum Call for Papers Band 16).

  • PhD Study on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: How they operate, how they cluster, how they innovate, how they network, and how they can be supported by government, by business actors and by international donors. These are the main issues of the new publication on Nigeria’s SMEs. Mister Osmund O. Uzor has now published his study on the important role of SMEs in Nigeria. Based on field researches and a thorough review of the literature, he develops a model (ISMED) how productive investment can transform the SME sector in Nigeria. Professor Karl Wohlmuth was the supervisor of the research programme on a “New Policy Framework for SMEs in selected States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and has written a Preface to highlight the importance of the study for the policymakers in Nigeria. Mister Osmund O. Uzor has also written various contributions to IWIM publications during his time as an IWIM associate (hier link zu Blue Series Discussion Papers), and he has also contributed to various editions of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook (hier link zu den Yearbook editions).

Publication Details: Osmund Osinachi Uzor, Clusters, Networks, and Innovation in small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), The Role of Productive Investment in the Development of SMEs in Nigeria, European University Studies, Series V, Economics and Management, Volume/Band 3373, Frankfurt am Main et al.:  Peter Lang 2011, 422 pages

 

  • International Expert Group releases its Africa Report: Edited by the Director General of UNIDO, Kandeh K. Yumkella and other UNIDO staff a Report on Africa’s agro-based industrialization was released. The Report has the title Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity. The study is related to the Strategy for the Implementation of the Plan of Action for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA), adopted by the Conference of African Ministers of Industry in Durban in October 2008 and the African Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (3ADI), endorsed by the African Heads of State and Government  at the High-level Conference on the Development of Agribusiness and Agro-industries in Africa, held in Abuja, Nigeria in March 2010. 

    The book comprises three parts. Part A outlines the current status of agribusiness and agro-industrial activities in Africa. Part B presents the seven development pillars of agribusiness and agro-industry development that form the basis of the new strategy. Part C covers the visions, strategies and institutions for Africa’s agribusiness and agro-industry development and the way forward towards converting plans into action.

    The President of IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, highlights in the Foreword to the Report the importance of the study for Africa’s agro-industrialization process. He argues that the seven development pillars identified and analyzed in the Report give the basis for a new development strategy for Africa. The President of IFAD shares the opinion that the findings of the Report can be helpful for initiating an agribusiness and agro-industrial revolution in Africa that is needed for sustainable growth and poverty reduction. IFAD was a collaborative partner in this initiative from the very beginning.

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth has worked in his Chapter 6 for the Report on Strengthening technological effort and innovation capabilities. This development pillar is so far neglected in the discussion on Africa’s industrial development.  Professor Karl Wohlmuth addresses also the role of comprehensive STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) strategies and policies for initiating an agro-industrial revolution in Africa (see also New Project Agro-Industry Development Africa).

     

  • Neue UNIDO-Studie: Eine neue Studie der UNIDO, herausgegeben vom Generaldirektor der UNIDO,  Kandeh K. Yumkella und von anderen UNIDO-Experten, zur Industrialisierung von Afrika auf der Basis dynamischer  landwirtschaftlicher Entwicklung ist soeben erschienen. Im Kapitel 6 geht Professor Karl Wohlmuth auf die Stärkung der technologischen Leistungsfähigkeit, auf die Schaffung von Innovationskapazitäten und auf die Durchsetzung einer umfassenden Wissenschafts-und Technologiepolitik als Basis für eine agrar-industrielle Entwicklung in Afrika ein (vgl. Neues Projekt Agro-Industrielle Entwicklung Afrika).

Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen: Adam Swallow, an associate of our Research Group who has supported over many years the Yearbook Project during his time at UNU/WIDER in Helsinki, was appointed as Commissioning Editor, Economics and Finance, Academic Division, Oxford University Press (OUP). We wish him the best for his important new task. He invites high-quality submissions. Adam Swallow has also participated at various pre-publication workshops in Bremen for Yearbook editions.

  • Neue Publikation der Bremer Sudanforschung: Eine neue Studie über den Sudan mit dem Titel „Institutionen und Investitionen im Sudan“ ist soeben als Band 18 in der Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Weltwirtschaft und Internationales Management (IWIM) erschienen. Die Schriftenreihe des IWIM wird seit 1993 herausgegeben (link zu IWIM Schriftenreihe). Die Studie von Herrn Dr. Berhanu Denu-G. aus Addis Abeba, Äthiopien ist unter der Projektleitung und Beratung von Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth erstellt worden und wurde von der Volkswagenstiftung finanziert. Mehrere Feldforschungsaufenthalte von Herrn Dr. Berhanu im Süd-Sudan haben neue Daten zu den Transaktionskosten für Unternehmenstätigkeiten vor  Ort geführt. Der Autor zeigt Wege auf, wie die Rahmenbedingungen für Investitionen im Sudan und im Süd-Sudan durch institutionelle Reformen verbessert werden können (vgl. Cover Berhanu und Contents Berhanu).

Die Studie ist sehr aktuell, da in wenigen Wochen – am 9. Juli 2011 - der Süd-Sudan als 54. Staat in Afrika unabhängig werden wird und vor der schweren Aufgabe steht, den Wiederaufbau seiner Wirtschaft zu beschleunigen. Gleichzeitig ist aber auch eine weitgehende Kooperation mit dem Nordsudan notwendig, um Konflikte über Grenzfragen und Nationalitätenfragen lösen und die Ölressourcen international zu vermarkten zu können. Eine weitere Studie zu den konkreten Reformaufgaben im Norden und im Süden des Sudan ist von Herrn Dr. Berhanu kürzlich in der von Professor Wohlmuth herausgegebenen SERG-Reihe publiziert worden (vgl. SERG Paper 39). Unter Leitung von Professor Wohlmuth wird ein neues Forschungsprojekt über den Sudan durchgeführt, das die wirtschaftspolitischen Änderungen im Norden und im Süden des Sudan nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung des Süd-Sudan vom 9. Juli 2011 zum Thema hat (vgl. International Call for Papers).

 

  • New Publication on the Economy of Sudan and South Sudan: A new study about the Sudan with the title “Institutions and Investment in Sudan” has just appeared as volume 18 in the Book Series of the Institute for World Economics and international Management (IWIM). The Book Series of IWIM is the flagship publication of the institute (link to the IWIM Book Series). The study was written by Dr. Berhanu Denu-G., a lecturer from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was directed and supervised in this project by Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen. The study was generously financed by the Volkswagen Foundation. Dr. Berhanu has spent various field research visits to South Sudan to generate new data on the transactions costs of business activity there after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of January 9, 2005. The author shows convincingly in the study how the environmental conditions affect business and how these conditions can be improved by institutional reforms (see Cover Berhanu and Contents Berhanu).

     

    The study is of crucial importance for reforms in South Sudan as in few weeks – on July 9, 2011 – South Sudan will become the 54th state in Africa. The new republic has then the huge task of reconstructing the economy after the devastations of civil war and the uncertainty and insecurity since the CPA of 2005 till now. However, a cooperation with the North of Sudan will be important so as to avoid new conflicts about border and nationalization issues and about the international marketing of its oil production being located largely in the South Sudan. Another study by the author was recently published in the SERG Series (see SERG Paper 39).  The SERG Series is edited by Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen and focuses on new economic developments and crucial economic policy issues  in Sudan and South Sudan. Professor Wohmuth also directs a new research project on “Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of January 9, 2011” to discuss issues following from the Independence of South Sudan for the economic policy of both states of Sudan (see the International Call for Papers).

 

  • Evaluierung von wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Studienprogrammen der Universität Göttingen: Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth wurde in ein Gremien zur Begutachtung der elf wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Studiengänge der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen berufen. Die elf Studiengänge (vier Bachelorstudiengänge, sechs Masterstudiengänge, ein Promotionsstudiengang) werden von der Expertengruppe hinsichtlich der Erfüllung der Bologna/Lissabon-Kriterien geprüft. Die Georg-August-Universität Göttingen ist forschungsstark und wird vom Exzellenzprogramm des Bundes gefördert.

  • Evaluation of study programmes in economics and business studies at Göttingen University: Professor Karl Wohlmuth was appointed to a committee for the evaluation of the eleven study programmes in economics and business studies of the Georg-August-University Göttingen. The assessment of the expert group is done along the Bologna and Lisbon criteria. The eleven study  programmes (four bachelor programmes, six master programmes, and one PhD study programme) are related to the strong research competence of the Göttingen University which is supported by the Excellence Programme for Universities of the Federal Republic of Germany.

     

  • An Agenda for Institutional Reforms in Sudan/South Sudan: This is the title of a new research report by Berhanu Denu-G. published as SERG Discussion Paper Number 39 (link zu den SERG Discussion Papers). As only few weeks are left to the Independence Declaration of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, this is a very timely publication for policymakers, donors and the international research community. The new Research Report presents an Agenda for Institutional Reforms for both states in Sudan (Republic of Sudan and Republic of South Sudan). The study was supported by the Volkswagen Foundation and is part of the new research, training and networking project at IWIM “Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011” (see link to the new project). Further papers on economic policies and institutional reforms in the two republics of Sudan are forthcoming, and proposals and abstracts for other papers along these lines can still be submitted to Professor Karl Wohlmuth (see International Call for Papers Sudan after the Referendum of 2011).

  • Call for Papers: Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa: The theme of the next African Development Perspectives Yearbook will be “Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa" (see the Call for Papers). Interested scholars are invited to submit papers for thematic studies on the subject areas and case studies for countries in all five African sub-regions (North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, South Africa). Also case studies on the role of African regional organizations (African Union, APRM/NEPAD, UNECA, African Development Bank) and on regional economic communities (RECs) are welcomed.

    Volume 15 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook on “Africa and the Global Financial Crisis – Impact on Economic Reform Processes” is forthcoming soon ( link to the African Development Perspectives Yearbook publications). The African Development Perspectives Yearbook is edited by an international group of researchers.

     

  • International Research Competition of the Volkswagen Foundation Sub-Sahara Africa Initiative: African post-doctoral researchers will be supported by a new programme of the Volkswagen Foundation ( Information for Applicants). There are Junior Fellowships and Senior Fellowships available. Objectives of the programme are capacity building in the African academic community, high quality research on current social, economic and political problems of the continent, and the support of programmes to intensify research cooperation of African scholars with a European partner institution and African researchers/African partner institutions.

     

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth was asked to spread information about this new programme as he is involved since 2005 in researches of the Volkswagen Foundation Sub-Sahara Africa Initiative (see the IWIM Governance Sudan research programme). The Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen and the Sudan Economy Research Group (SERG) network at the University of Bremen will support applicants in the domain of their research interests by linking them to partners and mentors (Contact: Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Email: wohlmuth@uni-bremen.de)

  • Post-Conflict Stabilization in Africa: Professor Karl Wohlmuth has written review articles on important UN and IMF publications about post-conflict stabilization in Africa (see the publications of the Author). The relevance of these studies for the country cases of Sudan/South Sudan is brought out clearly in these articles, as Sudan/South Sudan can benefit a lot from the lessons of these studies in the crucial period towards the Independence Declaration of South Sudan on July 9, 2011 and in the years after.

     

  • International Call for Papers: Interested scholars doing research work on Sudan’s economy are invited to submit research papers, commented documents and policy-oriented papers on the economic development perspectives of the two states in Sudan after the Independence Declaration on July 9, 2011. Sixteen policy areas being of interest for such an exercise were identified (see the International Call for Papers ). So far the discussion on the Sudan separation issues is limited to political, social, ethnic, and legal considerations. These papers will be reviewed and published in the New Series of the Sudan Economy Research Group (SERG) Discussion Papers  at the University of Bremen. These studies are part of a new research project "Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011". The purpose of the new research project is to investigate into the new policies that are requested in Sudan after the Independence Declaration. The economic issues of the separation agenda and of the reconstruction and development agenda in the North and in the South are of interest, but most important is it also to look at the cooperation requirements and opportunities between the North and the South after the Independence Declaration. All papers should therefore look carefully at these issues and at the cooperation agenda as both states will lose in terms of economic development if cooperation and coordination activities are not forthcoming.

    In a first step the research papers and the policy-oriented papers will be discussed and published in the new edition of the SERG Discussion Paper Series. Invited are papers according to the list of sixteen areas that were identified as core issues being of particular interest. In the second step a discussion process will be started on the policy implications of the papers to discuss the issues of the papers according to the main policy areas. The networks of the contributors will be used for this exchange of ideas. In the third step a dialogue with economic ministries, civil society institutions, and experts in the North and in the South of the Sudan will be started on the issues to compare and contrast the insights from the papers with current government policy prescriptions and alternative views and plans on policy formation in Sudan. Applications for financial support were already started to finance the publication activity, the network establishment, and later on the dialogue forums in Khartoum and Juba.

     

  • New Industrialization Strategy for Africa based on Agriculture Development: Professor Karl Wohlmuth has consulted on, edited and synthesized a comparative study with eight case studies for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna. The study documents a new direction of industrial development in Africa – based on the development of agro-industries and agribusiness. The eight case studies (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia) represent the different conditions in Africa with regard of economic size and power, resource endowments, economic opportunities, and development level. The analyses give detailed information on the situation and on the prospects and allow it to derive policy conclusions for two economic power houses of Africa (South Africa and Nigeria), for four least developed countries (Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, and Zambia), and for two other African (lower middle income or low income) countries (Cameroon and Kenya). It comes out that there are plenty of opportunities for the countries to benefit from a new industrialization strategy that has a particular focus on agro-industries and on agribusiness. It is also possible to realize on the basis of such a strategy multiple development objectives: export diversification, import substitution, human development and nutrition improvements, rural development, employment creation and poverty alleviation, as well as linking the agriculture and industry sectors in a future-oriented way by the instrument of integrated value chains. A Transformation Index measures the progress and the performance of these eight countries in developing agro-industries and agribusiness. The results give evidence that also the least developed and landlocked countries of Africa (like Ethiopia, Mali, and Zambia) have already successfully embarked on such a strategy and increasingly realize their development chances. The Report will be published by UNIDO.

    This study is part of the Abuja Initiative of UNIDO and five other international and regional organizations (FAO, IFAD, African Union Commission, African Development Bank, UNECA). The African Heads of State and Government have approved in March 2010 in Abuja the Abuja Declaration which addresses the issues of a new agro-based industrialization strategy. It was recommended at the Meeting that it is necessary to analyze more deeply the objectives and instruments to pursue such an Industrialization Strategy for Africa and to look at the potentials and strategies of African countries to develop agro-industries and agribusiness along these lines. It was proposed that suitable strategies should be based on individual country characteristics, resource endowments, local capacities, and human capabilities (see the Abuja Declaration and the link to the joint research project with UNIDO).

     

  • New Publication: Professor Karl Wohlmuth has compiled for SERG Discussion Paper Series  Number 38 the most important publications from the policy-oriented research programmes of the Sudan Economy Research Group (SERG) in Bremen ( Link to SERG Discussion Paper Series). They are now brought together in a document by subject areas and in alphabetical order as they cover policy issues that can be of relevance for the economic policy formation processes in the two new Sudanese states that will emerge after the Referendum of January 9, 2011 – scheduled just a half year later after further separation negotiations on July 9, 2011. See also the Objectives and the frame of the new project  “Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011” and the International Call for Papers on “New Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of January 9, 2011”.

  • Research Output: Professor Reuben Adeolu Alabi, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria and Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Institute for World Economics and International Management, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany has finalized a new  research report on “Incidence of Public Health Expenditures in Nigeria”. It is published as Number 121 of the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers, January 2011. The research report was written with support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation under a returnee fellowship agreement with the theme “Public Health Spending, Income Distribution and Poverty in Nigeria”  (link to IWIM Blue Series Discussion Paper Number 121, January 2011). Professor Karl Wohlmuth was the research supervisor.

    Professor Alabi has already finalized at IWIM in Bremen a major research programme on “Public Education Spending, Income Distribution and Poverty in Nigeria” that was also funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and supervised by Professor Karl Wohlmuth. Some of the research results were published in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers with the numbers 109, 114, 119, and 120. He is also one of the editors of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook of the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen. He recently started a new research programme on “Agro-industry Development in West Africa” in cooperation with Professor Hans Heinrich Bass, Bremen University of Applied Sciences.

     

  • Sudan Governance Project Bremen: New Publication on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for Sudan (see the link to the information from the publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd), and Information on a New Book about Sudan on Institutions and investment in Sudan: Socio-Economic and Institutional Foundations of Reconstruction and Development (see the Abstract/Publication Information and the link to IWIM Book Series).

     

  • Inequality, Poverty and the Health Sector in Nigeria: Professor Dr. Reuben Adeolu Alabi, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State, Nigeria, e-mail: bayobimb@yahoo.com, and Fellow of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany is again visiting Bremen in December 2010 to submit a research paper on the “Redistributive Impacts of Public Expenditures for the Health System in Nigeria”. The study was supervised by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and is financed by a fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Study will be published in the  IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers. Professor Alabi has as well studied the redistributive impacts of public expenditures for the education system in Nigeria (for other papers of the author see the list of IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

  • Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011:  Two papers are now prepared in this new research project for the SERG Discussion Paper Series (see the list of SERG publications ). Mister Berhanu Denu G., Addis Ababa University, prepares a research report on “An Agenda for Reconstruction and Development in Sudan and South Sudan”. The paper will focus on institution-building based on his new institutional economics approach; he researches the role of institutions for development during war and peace times in Sudan and South Sudan. Proposals for the establishment of new institutions to allow for a better coordination of economic policies between the North and the South are also made.

    Another paper will be provided for the SERG Series by Professor Karl Wohlmuth, Bremen University, on “Learning from Economic Policy Failures in Sudan. Lessons for the North and for the South”. The paper will reflect also on the insights of economic policy-related researches on Sudan by the SERG (Sudan Economy Research Group). Many findings of the SERG researches on industry and small enterprise development policies; agricultural and agro-industrial policies; macroeconomic, public financial management and exchange rate policies; regional and spatial development policy; poverty reduction and human development policies; and on foreign trade and investment policies are still relevant, as most of the policy proposals based on these and similar analyses never had been implemented in Sudan because of bad governance and war and conflict (see the list of these SERG publications in alphabetical order  and also by subject areas.)

     

     

  • Comparing Agro-industrial Development Strategies in Africa: This is a project of UNIDO to find out the most suitable policies to develop agro-industries and to promote agribusiness in Africa. The country characteristics, the natural endowments and the regional interactions impact on the selection of sustainable strategies and policies. It is part of a research and advisory programme on Value Addition to Africa’s Industry by new Agro-Industrial Development Strategies that was inaugurated by the Director-General of UNIDO in February 2008. The Abuja Declaration (link), adopted at the recent Meeting of the African Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, March 2010, reflects these new policies envisaged for Africa. UNIDO and six other regional and international organisations cooperate on these important issues. Programme and project components aim to identify suitable policy interventions at local, national, regional and global levels to stimulate in Africa value addition in industry and in agriculture. Professor Karl Wohlmuth continues to work as an International Consultant for UNIDO in the project.

 

  • Applied New Institutional Economics: Mister Berhanu Denu from Addis Ababa University has finished his book manuscript on “Institutions and Investment in Sudan/South Sudan”. He applies new institutional economics to explain the weaknesses of economic policy in Sudan since independence and the difficulties of institutional rehabilitation in South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. He uses a cross-section analysis to find out the role of institutional variables for investment. Institutional variables like an index of the quality of the legal system and the protection of property rights and an index of constraints on the executive power of the government matter in this context. He also analyses the transaction costs of doing now business in autonomous South Sudan. The main impediments for investments of entrepreneurs in South Sudan are outlined. The study will be of importance for further economic policy reforms in Sudan and south Sudan. The book will appear in the IWIM Book Series as the number 18 (link).

    The study was funded by the Africa Research Programme of the Volkswagen Foundation in the frame of the Sudan Governance Project that was headed at the University of Bremen by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and Dr. Elke Grawert (see more about the Sudan Governance Project - Link). The project is finally closed by the end of the year. Dr. Elke Grawert, a former IWIM staff, is now working as Senior Researcher at the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). A new project on Economic Policy in Sudan after the Referendum in 2011 will be started soon in Bremen. Major policy studies of the SERG (Sudan Economy Research Group) in Bremen are still relevant for the new era of economic reforms in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011 (see the SERG Publications List – Link).

     

  • Sudan Governance Project: New Publication " After the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan" (see details/link).

  • Einladung zum Doktorandenkolloquium Weltwirtschaft: Vortrag und Diskussion zum Thema "Corporate Governance in der Ukraine und Russland: Eine komparative Studie zum Stand der Transparenz und Offenlegung in den ukrainischen und russischen offenen Aktiengesellschaften in den Jahren 2007/2008, am 13. Oktober 2010, 16.00 bis 17.30 Uhr, Wilhelm Herbst-Straße 5, Raum 0.13. Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist ohne eine Anmeldung möglich (siehe einen Abstract des geplanten Vortrages).

  • Economic Policy Responses to the Global Financial Crisis in Japan and Germany: The report of a conference held by the Bremen University of Applied Sciences in the House of Science Bremen, initiated by Professor Hans H. Bass, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, was recently published with support by the Deutsche Bundesbank. Professor Karl Wohlmuth has contributed with an essay on  Challenges for the Reform of  Labour and Employment Policies in Japan and in Germany to this edition (see for bibliographical details the List of Recent Publications at: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-wohlmuth.htm ). Emphasis is in the essay on a comparison and an evaluation of government strategies to respond to the global financial crisis (see also the long version of the paper in IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers Number 115 at: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Dorow/Wohlmuth%20Japan%20Germany%20Layout%20115-6-2009.pdf ).

    There is long tradition of universities in Bremen to cooperate with the Aichi University in Toyohashi Japan. Professor Toshihiko Hozumi from the Faculty of Economics, Aichi University, Toyohashi and Professor Karl Wohlmuth from IWIM, University of Bremen have supported for many years a cooperation with exchanges of professors and students and with researches in a working group on “Schumpeter and Asian Dynamics” (see the Research Programme on “Technology and Global Economic Developments” at: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/techonologie.htm , and see details about the IWIM Book Series volumes 7 and 9 with conference reports of the German-Japanese Working Group “Schumpeter and Asian Dynamics” at: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-jwt.htm ).

     

  • The Sudan Economy Research Group (SERG) and the Governance Sudan Project (GSP) at the University of Bremen have produced a number of relevant studies that can be the base for discussions and analyses on the design of new economic strategies after the Referendum ( see Sudan Economy Research Group and Governance Sudan Project). Lists of selected SERG studies of relevance for the new project on Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011 are available in alphabetical order and by subjects (see the list of SERG Studies in alphabetical order  and also by subject areas.)

  • Katharina Jantzen, a former IWIM staff, has successfully defended her dissertation in July 2010. She had studied in the GLOMAR PhD programme. GLOMAR is an institution of the University of Bremen financed by the Excellence Initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany. The dissertation will be published in the series German Maritime Studies. Professor Karl Wohlmuth was a member of the international Advisory Committee to guide her PhD programme on “Globalization and Regulation of Fisheries in the North Atlantic” (see the photo from the ceremony with Katharina Jantzen and members of the Examination Committee).

     

  • The Research Programme at the University of Bremen on Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of January 9, 2005 is heading for the final conference in Khartoum which is due to take place at the University of Khartoum from September 28-30, 2010. The theme of the conference is related to the critical development phase of the Sudan between the first elections after the civil war in 2010 and the referendum about the independence of South Sudan in 2011: Towards the Referendum: Social Action and Economic and Political Changes in Sudan and the Involvement of Sub-Regional and International Powers after the CPA”. Contributions are still invited to share experiences on the issues with the project researchers (see Call for Papers and  the list of  SERG Studies in alphabetical order  and also by subject areas.)

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth is preparing a new project on “Economic Policies in Sudan after the Referendum of 2011”. As Sudan will be affected in any case deeply by the results of the Referendum, it is high time to discuss also the economic policy implications and options after the Referendum. So far only the political, the foreign policy, and the social implications are discussed in academic and policy circles. A network of interested researchers and experts working on the theme of the economic perspectives of the Sudan will therefore be established for this purpose. The Sudan Economy Research Group (SERG) and the Governance Sudan Project (GSP) at the University of Bremen have produced a number of relevant studies that can be the base for discussions and analyses on the design of new economic strategies after the Referendum (see Sudan Economy Research Group,  Governance Sudan Project, and the list of  SERG Studies in alphabetical order  and also by subject areas.)

     

  • Lecture on Public Spending for Health Services and Inequality in Nigeria: Professor Dr. Reuben A. Alabi from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria and Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Institute for World Economics and International Management (IWIM), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany will give a lecture at the Global Economics Seminar, University of Bremen on "WHO IS BENEFITING FROM PREVENTIVE HEALTH SPENDING IN NIGERIA?" This is a first research report on the theme supported by a grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the research programme is supervised by Professor Karl Wohlmuth. The lecture is held at the University of Bremen on Wednesday, 21 July, 2010, at 4 pm in WHS 5, Room 0. 13 . An abstract outlines the issues that will be presented and discussed (see Abstract).

  • Guest Researcher from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at IWIM: Mister Berhanu Denu, Lecturer at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia and Volkswagen Foundation Research Scholar, has arrived for a further visit of four weeks at IWIM to finalize his book on Institutions and Investment in Sudan/South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The book, based on his PhD thesis, will be published in the IWIM Book Series in cooperation with LIT Publishers (see IWIM's Book Series), and it will appear as volume number 18 in the series. Mister Berhanu Denu will also finalize in Bremen a new SERG (Sudan Economy Research Group) discussion paper on An Agenda for Structural, Institutional, Political and Economic Policy Reforms to support Investment and to improve Investment Climate in Sudan/South Sudan. The SERG discussion papers are policy-oriented briefings on ongoing research programmes and research reports (see IWIM's SERG Discussion Papers ). The theoretical frame used by Mister Berhanu Denu is based on the New Institutional Economics.

  • New Education and Health Policies for Nigeria: Professor Dr. Alabi has written a new research report on the redistributive effects of public education spending in Nigeria. With complex empirical methods the redistributive effect of public spending for education (for primary and secondary school attendance) is quantified (see IWIM Blue Series Discussion Paper number 120). This research report is part of a larger research project funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Foundation has financed over 18 months a research visit by Dr. Alabi to IWIM and is now funding a return fellowship over 12 months in Ekpoma, Nigeria at Ambrose Alli University. Professor Karl Wohlmuth is the supervisor of the project. Also other contributions to this project by the author can be downloaded (see numbers 109, 114, 119 of the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers ). Professor Alabi will visit IWIM in July 2010 to discuss the draft of the  Interim Report to the Foundation with Professor Karl Wohlmuth.

  • Einladung zum Doktorandenkolloquium Weltwirtschaft: Vortrag und Diskussion zum Thema " Globalization and Fisheries: Incentive-based Management for Sustainable Cod Fisheries in the North Atlantic", Katharina Jantzen, PhD Student, GLOMAR (Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences) and German Maritime Museum (Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum Bremerhaven), am 30. Juni 2010, 16.00 bis 17.30 Uhr, Wilhelm Herbst-Straße 5, Ebene 1, Raum 1.14. Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist ohne eine Anmeldung möglich (siehe die Einladung und das Thesenpapier im  PDF-Format).

  • Research Output: Professor Dr. Alabi, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria and Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Institute for World Economics and International Management (IWIM), University of Bremen, has produced a new research paper on Progressivity of Education Spending in Nigeria, a study that is using complex new measurement tools (see the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Paper Number 119 to be downloaded as a PDF ). The study is based on a recent research visit at IWIM and the research was supervised by Professor Karl Wohlmuth. The study is intended to stimulate the ongoing discussion about new education and poverty alleviation policies in Nigeria. A further paper on Redistribution Policies and Education Spending in Nigeria is forthcoming quite soon as IWIM Blue Series Discussion Paper Number 120. Further related papers by Professor Dr. Alabi can be downloaded as well from the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers as the numbers 109 and 114 (IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

  • Global Management of Sustainable Fisheries: A PhD project on „REGULATORY MECHANISMS IN FISHERIES: THE CONTRIBUTION OF QUOTA MANAGEMENT TO SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC IN THE PERIOD 1977-2007" was recently finalized by Katharina Jantzen. Professor Karl Wohlmuth was a member of the Advisory Committee installed by GLOMAR to supervise the research project. This important study was supported by the Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences (GLOMAR) that is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the frame of the Excellence Initiative by the German Federal and State governments to promote science and research at German universities. GLOMAR and the German Maritime Museum (Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum Bremerhaven/DSMB), associated with GLOMAR as an Institute of the Leibniz Association, have supported generously the research project ( see more information).

    Katharina Jantzen has already published parts of the research programme in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers Number 110, 2008.

    In the next PhD Seminar on Global Economics (Doktorandenkolloquium Weltwirtschaft) Katharina Jantzen will present some of the research results under the title ‘Globalisation and Fisheries: Incentive-based management for sustainable cod fisheries in the North Atlantic’. This seminar contribution is planned to be published also in an issue of the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers. The next PhD Seminar Meeting will take place on June 30, 2010, 4-6 pm in WHS 5, Room 1.14.

     

  • Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of January 2005: An International and Interdisciplinary PhD Programme:

    Four PhD students have already finalized their work, and three others are forthcoming with their dissertations. The Programme (directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and Dr. Elke Grawert) has been financed since the year 2005 by the Volkswagen Foundation with around € 800,000 (see more on the profile of the Governance and Social Action Project  and on the Studies of the Sudan Economy Research Group). All the PhD studies which were undertaken in the frame of the programme have themes in the context of rebuilding institutions and establishing new governance mechanisms after the civil war in Sudan which lasted over decades. Mister Regassa Sima from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, a historian, has written a PhD on “War and Peace in the Sudan and its Impact on Ethiopia: The Case of Gambella, 1955 - 2008” (see the Contents and  Abstract Regassa Sima ). Mister Berhanu Denu from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia and the University of Bremen, Germany, an economist, has written a dissertation on “The Role of Institutions in Improving the Performance of Investment in Sudan/South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement/CPA of 2005” (see the Contents and  Abstract Berhanu Denu). Samira Musa Armin Damin, a geographer from the University of Juba, Khartoum and Juba, Sudan has worked on Return Migration to the Nuba Mountains and on Regional Aspects of Implementing the CPA. Yasir Awad Abdalla Elthahir from the University of Khartoum in Khartoum, Sudan, a political scientist, has worked on forms and strategies of political participation to implement fully the CPA. George Katete, a political scientist from Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya, Jacobs University, Bremen and the University of Bremen, Germany, is still working on the sub-regional dimensions of implementing peace by looking at the neighbouring countries of Sudan/South Sudan and the impact of external pressures emerging from these countries towards the successful negotiations of the CPA and the consolidation of peace afterwards.University of Bremen, Germany, an economist, has written a dissertation on “The Role of Institutions in Improving the Performance of Investment in Sudan/South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement/CPA of 2005” (see the Contents and  Abstract Berhanu Denu). Samira Musa Armin Damin, a geographer from the University of Juba, Khartoum and Juba, Sudan has worked on Return Migration to the Nuba Mountains and on Regional Aspects of Implementing the CPA. Yasir Awad Abdalla Elthahir from the University of Khartoum in Khartoum, Sudan, a political scientist, has worked on forms and strategies of political participation to implement fully the CPA. George Katete, a political scientist from Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya, Jacobs University, Bremen and the University of Bremen, Germany, is still working on the sub-regional dimensions of implementing peace by looking at the neighbouring countries of Sudan/South Sudan and the impact of external pressures emerging from these countries towards the successful negotiations of the CPA and the consolidation of peace afterwards. Tayseer El-Fatih from the Ahfad University For Women, Omdurman, Sudan, a social scientist, is working on appropriate decentralization, devolution and land ownership strategies for realizing the CPA. A further programme, undertaken by Esther Ikere Eluzai, Juba University, Juba, South Sudan and currently being a Member of the Parliament of the Autonomous Region of South Sudan, is related to issues of ethnic divisions and development prospects in South Sudan. In 14 workshops, at various places in Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia and in Bremen, Germany, the interdisciplinary approach for the programme was developed jointly and the respective governance and institutional frameworks for the seven PhD studies were outlined and discussed.

     

  • Technological Effort, Innovation Capacity and Capability Building: This is the title of a background study by Professor Karl Wohlmuth for UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), Vienna in the context of the UNIDO Project “Adding Value to Africa’s  Industry and Trade through Agro-industry and Agro-business. An Agenda for Action”, the purpose of which is to formulate new strategies to overcome the trend of de-industrialization in Africa. Also a Main UNIDO Report  and an International Book Publication by UNIDO on “Promoting Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity”, containing a chapter by Professor Karl Wohlmuth, will be part of the output of the UNIDO project (see the respective entries to the Publications List of IWIM by Professor Karl Wohlmuth )

  • Institutions and Investment in Sudan/South Sudan: This is the title of a major study finalized by Berhanu Denu, Lecturer at Addis Ababa University during his recent research visit at IWIM. The study was financed by the Volkswagen Foundation in the context of the Governance and Social Action in Sudan Project (see the Volkswagen Foundation project). Mister Berhanu Denu has used a variety of methods to analyze investment conditions and investment climate in Sudan/South Sudan. Important economic policy phases in Sudan were distinguished to look at the specific investment performance and the investment conditions in the context of institutional failures. Also panel econometrics was used to identify the institutional constraints to investment. Survey techniques were used to analyze the transactions cost of doing business in South Sudan and to assess the investment climate in South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (see the Abstract of the Study). The study will be published in the IWIM Book Series as Volume 18 (see the list of books that have appeared so far in the IWIM Book Series). A further SERG Discussion paper on an Agenda for Institutional Reform and Investment Promotion in South Sudan will be researched by the author and will appear quite soon (see the recent paper by the author on peace and reconstruction in South Sudan which has appeared already in the SERG series of IWIM). For this study and for other researches Mister Berhanu Denu will pay another research visit to IWIM in Bremen during June/July 2010.

  • Call for Applications:                      

    Germany Meets Turkey : Weeklong Seminar

    The German-Turkish Relationship: Challenges and Opportunities

    ( Berlin , 16th – 21th May, 2010) click here for more informations

  • Treffen der afrikanischen Staats- und Regierungschefs in Abuja, Nigeria vom 8. - 10. März 2010 zum Thema der Neuausrichtung von Landwirtschafts- und Industriepolitiken: Professor Karl Wohlmuth nahm auf Einladung der UN-Organisation für industrielle Entwicklung in Wien an der Konferenz der afrikanischen Staats- und Regierungschefs in Abuja als Experte teil (weitere Infos,   siehe die Pressemitteilung, die Fotos des Events und die Deklaration von Abuja).

 

  • Meeting of the African Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria on the Development of Agriculture and Agro-Industries in Africa: The Heads of State and Government, the Ministers of Industry, Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, the Central Bank Governors, and Senior Experts from 42 African countries met in Abuja, Nigeria on March 8 - 10, 2010 at the High Level Conference on the Development Of Agribusiness And Agro-Industries In Africa. Also representatives of six African Regional Economic Communities, representatives of international organizations, heads of banks and finance institutions, representatives of donor agencies, of international NGOs, ambassadors, and senior experts participated in various functions at the conference. Six regional and international organizations (UNIDO, UNECA, African Development Bank, African Union, FAO, and IFAD) have prepared the event under the initiative and leadership of UNIDO. The Federal Government of Nigeria and its Acting President have supported the event. During the meeting A Programme Framework 3ADI (African Agribusiness And Agro-Industries Development Initiative) was discussed and endorsed, a new Financial Mechanism in support of 3ADI was proposed and recommended, and an Abuja Declaration On Development Of Agribusiness And Agro-Industries In Africa was discussed and adopted by the African Heads of State and Government (see the Abuja Declaration ,  the Photo Gallery and other conference documents ). The six African Presidents/Executive Directors of these regional African and international platform organizations have confirmed their intention and have committed themselves to develop in the next few months an Action Programme on the basis of the Abuja Declaration so as to keep momentum with the initiative and to redirect industrial and agricultural strategies and policies in Africa.

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth was invited by UNIDO to attend the High Level Conference as an expert. Professor Karl Wohlmuth was involved in related preparatory studies, researches, meetings and conferences in Vienna (at UNIDO) and in Addis Ababa (at UNECA). He is especially doing expert work on issues of new STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) policies which are connected to the main theme of the High Level Conference on Development.

     

  • New Economics Teaching Programme: The School of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Jacobs University is starting soon with a new economics teaching programme with the title Global Economics and Management (GEM). For this and other programmes at Jacobs University a new professor of economics who is teaching macroeconomics/development economics/economic policy is sought. Professor Karl Wohlmuth is a member  of the search committee at Jacobs University.

  • Guest Researcher at IWIM: Mister Berhanu Denu, a lecturer from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia will again stay for two months at IWIM to finalize his PhD study on Institutions and Investment in Sudan after Civil War, with particular focus on South Sudan. The research project is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (see the scope of the research programme on Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement). He has worked in the research project with a New Institutional Economics approach to investigate the issues of investment promotion by reconstructing relevant institutions in Sudan/South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of January 2005. Focus is especially on South Sudan by the way of analyzing the complex issues of reconstruction of institutions after the decades long civil war. Prior to the research stay at IWIM Mister Berhanu Denu has participated at the Second Grantees Meeting of the Volkswagen Foundation’s Africa Initiative at Bayreuth University (see his most recent SERG research paper number 37).

  • Das Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) freut sich Ihnen folgendes Programm anzukündigen:

    „Kulturbrücken in Deutschland: Ein Forum für Young Leaders“

    ICD House of Arts & Culture: Kurfürstendamm 207/8, 10719 Berlin

    28. Februar – 5. März

    Siehe Informationen zur Bewerbung

     

  • Bremen Africa Conference 2010: An International Conference on the theme “The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Economic Reform Processes in Africa” was held on January 28 -29, 2010, in the Haus der Wissenschaft Bremen (see the programme). The conference was organized by Prof. Dr. Hans H. Bass and Dr. Joy Alemazung, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Tobias Knedlik, Economist Researcher at IWH Halle, and by Dr. Osmund O. Uzor from IWIM as the Project Coordinator for the conference (see the statement by Professor Karl Wohlmuth in the Final Session of the International Conference). The four Organizers and the four members of the Scientific Committee (Dr. Reuben A. Alabi, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria and Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Prof. Dr. Robert Kappel, University of Leipzig and Hamburg and President of the German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Dietwart Runte, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics and Business Administration, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, and Prof. em. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, IWIM, University of Bremen) will be the Editors of the forthcoming Volume 15 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook which is scheduled to appear in 2010 (see on the African Development Perspectives Yearbook Project). A summary of the Conference Results in the form of a Conference Policy Brief will appear in the next few weeks.

  • Guest Researcher at IWIM: Dr. Reuben A .Alabi attended the Bremen Africa Conference 2010 in the Haus der Wissenschaft Bremen and then visited IWIM to discuss about new projects and researches with Professor Karl Wohlmuth. Dr. Alabi  is preparing for further discussion papers for the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers (see his already published research papers on education, income distribution, and poverty in Nigeria as numbers 114 and 109 of the Series ). Also new projects, like the planned Conference for Researchers, NGO representatives and Policymakers on Education, Health and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria to be held in Ekpoma, Nigeria in December 2010 and to be organized by the Alli Ambrose University, Ekpoma, Edo State, and supported by the Africa Initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, were discussed.

  • Research Output Dr. O. O. Uzor: Dr. Uzor has produced a new research paper on his Investment and SME Development (ISMED) Model and the relation to Public-Private Partnerships in the Promotion of Agro-Industrial Clusters in Nigeria. The paper is titled “The ISMED Model and  Public – Private Partnerships in the Promotion of Agro-Industrial Clusters in Nigeria” and has appeared as the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Paper Number 118, January 2010 (access the paper).

  • Research Output by Professor Karl Wohlmuth: An article on the role of the Emerging African Markets in the World Economy was published recently in “Berichte”, January/February 2010, as well as an article about the 20 years of cooperation between the Research Institute of the IWVWW and the IWIM in the same issue of the journal; Professor Wohlmuth is a member of the executive board of the IWVWW e. V. (see on the activities of IWVWW their homepage: http://www.iwvww.de and http://www.arge-institute.de ).

  • Professor Dr. Reuben A. Alabi from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria was awarded a returnee fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to do one year of research on “Marginal Benefit Incidence Analysis of Public Spending on Health Services in Nigeria”. This research will be done in close association with Professor Karl Wohlmuth from IWIM, Faculty of Economics, University of Bremen. Dr. Alabi has spent 18 months at IWIM to research on “Education, Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria” (see his most recent publications in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

 

  • Mister Berhanu Denu, Lecturer at Addis Ababa University and Guest Researcher at IWIM, University of Bremen, will present his major PhD research findings on “Institutions and Investments in South Sudan: An Institutional Economics Perspective” at the International Sudan Studies Conference, 2009, at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa, 25 - 28 November 2009 (see the programme: http://www.sudanconference.org.za/index.php?mid=170415). See also the most recent paper written by Berhanu Denu on “The Post-War Reconstruction Process in South Sudan” (SERG Discussion Papers Number 37).

 

 

  • Gastvortrag von Herrn Berhanu Denu, Addis Ababa University : "Institutionen und Investitionen im Südsudan. Ein institutionen-ökonomischer Ansatz" am 11. November 2009, 16-18 Uhr (siehe Einladung). Das Seminar wurde von den Professoren Karl Wohlmuth und Axel Sell geleitet. Herr George  Katete von der Moi-Universität in Eldoret,  Kenia, derzeit Gastwissenschaftler an der Universität Bremen und Stipendiat der Volkswagenstiftung im Projekt „Regierungsführung im Sudan nach dem Friedensabkommen“, hielt das Korreferat (siehe Fotos). Ausführlicher werden die Themen des Seminars beim Sudan Country Workshop des IWIM am 9. Dezember 2009 diskutiert.

 

 

  • Neue Publikation im Verlag Peter Lang: 

    Sell, Axel / Krylov, Alexander N. (Hrsg.), Government Relations, Interaktionen zwischen Wirtschaft, Politik und Gesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2009. IV, 304 S., zahlr. Abb. und Tab. ISBN 978-3-631-58487-3   br. ( weitere Infos.).

     

  • New Guest Researcher at IWIM: Mister Berhanu Denu from Addis Ababa University is a new guest researcher at IWIM who was received for a two months stay (see his CV). Mister Berhanu is Lecturer at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopa and he researches on his PhD work on "The role of institutions in improving the performance of investment in  Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005". The theme of Institutions and Investment in South Sudan is of great importance for the reconstruction of the economy of South Sudan after the civil war (see the synopsis). Supervisor of the research project is Professor Karl Wohlmuth. (see more information).

 

  • Call for applications: Cultural Diplomaty in Europe: A Forum for Young Leader (CDE) Seminar 19th – 23rd October 2009, Berlin(see more information).

  • A New Globalization Index for Developing Countries. The book by Sebastain Ebenthal is the dissertation he has written at IWIM under supervision of the Professors Karl Wohlmuth and Martin Missong. See: Sebastian Ebenthal, Messung von Globalisierung in Entwicklungsländern: Zur Analyse und Gestaltung der Globalisierung, Europäische Hochschulschriften, Reihe V: Volks- und Betriebswirtschaft, Band/Volume 3345, Frankfurt am Main et al.: Peter Lang, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, ISBN 978-3-631-59494-0, 269 Seiten.

     

  • Prof. Dr. Hans-Heinrich Bass, University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Dr.Tobias Knedlik, IWH Halle, and Dr. Osmund O. Uzor, Researcher in Bremen, will organize on January 28 and 29, 2010 in Bremen a conference on the theme "The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Reform Processes in Africa" (see the Link:http://www.hs-bremen.de/internet/de/studium/stg/isvw/conferences/impactonafrica/)

     

  • New Research Output from Dr. O. O. Uzor, an IWIM Associate, on "Industrialisation and SME Development in Nigeria" (see the powerpoint presentation on his Research Programme for the Nigeria Country Workshop of 29/7/2009).

  • IWIM says good bye to Dr. Alabi: The Professors Karl Wohlmuth and Axel Sell said farewell to Dr. Reuben A. Alabi at the event of the Nigeria Country Workshop of IWIM that took place on July 29,  2009 from 10.30 am to 18.15 pm (see the programme, the abstracts of Dr. Alabis contributions , the Powerpoint Presentations and the photo gallery about the event). Dr. Alabi has worked for 20 months (from December 2007 to July 2009) as an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Institute. The two professors emphasized in their speeches the high motivation and productivity, the scientific ethos, and the hard-working attitude of Dr. Alabi; they also praised the important  research work that Dr. Alabi has performed in Bremen on the issues of “Education, Inequality and Poverty in Nigeria” (see the final report on the research activities by Dr. Alabi). Also the friendly, cordial and cooperative behavior of Dr. Alabi was mentioned by the two professors more informations...

  • Professor Karl Wohlmuth attended the High-Level Expert Group Meeting on “Agro-Industry Development, Regional Value Chains and Public-Private Partnerships in Africa” at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Expert Group Meeting on July 22 - 24, 2009  (organized in partnership with African Union, UNIDO and FAO) had the task to review and to assess background studies and recommendations to be submitted, discussed and considered at the Summit of the African Heads of State and Government on “New Agro-Industrial Development Strategies for Africa” to be held in Abuja, Nigeria in November 2009 (see the photos with Professor Wohlmuth and other delegates in the conference hall of the United Nations Centre in Addis Ababa).

  • Professor Karl Wohlmuth attended the High-Level Expert Group Meeting on “Agro-Industry Development, Regional Value Chains and Public-Private Partnerships in Africa” at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Expert Group Meeting on July 22 - 24, 2009  (organized in partnership with African Union, UNIDO and FAO) had the task to review and to assess background studies and recommendations to be submitted, discussed and considered at the Summit of the African Heads of State and Government on “New Agro-Industrial Development Strategies for Africa” to be held in Abuja, Nigeria in November 2009.

  • Der Nigeria Country Workshop muss aus wichtigem Grund auf den 29. Juli 2009 verlegt werden (vgl. Programm).

  • Research Output Dr. Temesgen Kifle, The University of Queensland, Social Research Centre, Australia, formerly an IWIM associate with a PhD from the University of Bremen, has produced a new research paper on motivations of Eritrean remittance senders in Germany (see Number 116 of IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

  • Seminar „Bolognaprozess in Bremen/Deutschland und Studiensystem in Russland – ein Vergleich“ vom 2.-9. Juli - Im Rahmen der Universitätskooperation zwischen dem National Institute of Business (NIB), Moskau, und der Universität Bremen wurden unter wissenschaftlicher Leitung von Prof. Dr. Axel Sell (IWIM) und Prof. Dr. Klaus Bönkost, Fachbereich Erziehungs- und Bildungswissenschaften, Fragen der Auswirkungen des Bolognaprozesses auf Universitätsverwaltung und die Lehre thematisiert ( Weitere Infos zu dieser Veranstaltung).

  • Professor Karl Wohlmuth nahm am GIGA Workshop zum Thema „Machtquelle Erdöl: außen-, innen- und wirtschaftspolitische Herausforderungen für Nettoexporteure“ am 30. Juni 2009 in Hamburg teil. Der Workshop wurde von Prof. Dr. R. Kappel, Präsident des GIGA Hamburg und von Dr. Matthias Basedau, Leiter des Forschungsschwerpunkts 2 des GIGA geleitet. Das IWIM hat zu der Thematik diverse Arbeiten publiziert (insbesondere die Bände 11 und 12 des African Development Perspectives Yearbook, und zwei Bände zum Thema Reconstructing Economic Governance in Resource-rich African Countries, den Band 15 der Schriftenreihe des IWIM und den Band 40 der Weißen Reihe des IWIM) (siehe die LINKS zu  Jahrbuchreihe IWIM, Lit Jahrbuch,  Schriftenreihe und  Weiße Reihe).

     

  • The Nigeria Country Workshop of IWIM “New Researches on Development in Nigeria” takes place in Bremen on Wednesday July 22, 2009 (see the programme ). Registration of participants and guests is open. Please apply for participation directly to A. Tchokam (iwimsek@uni-bremen.de) and to Professor Wohlmuth (wohlmuth@uni-bremen.de).

  • La version française de l'avant propos du volume 14 de " L'Annuaire sur les Perspectives du Développement Africain" est disponible ici.

  • Deux décennies de "African Development Perspectives Yearbook" - un réseau international de projets sur le développement (lire l'article).

  • Research Output Professor Karl Wohlmuth: World Economic Crisis – Globalization – Global Employment Crisis – Challenges for the Reform of Labour and Employment Policies in Japan and in Germany, published in the Blue Series of IWIM, Number 115, June 2009, 55 pages (see PDF); this study is a revised version of the paper presented at the conference of German and Japanese Economists on The Flexibilization of Labour Markets between Globalization and the Global Economic Crisis: Comparing Japan and Germany which took place on June 5, 2009 at the University of Applied Sciences, Bremen; the conference was headed jointly by Professor Dr. Hans-Heinrich Bass, University of Applied Sciences, Bremen, Germany and by Professor Dr. Toshihiko Hozumi, Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan; hard copies of this paper and of other papers in the Blue Series can be ordered at IWIM.

  • Research Output Mister O. O. Uzor, PhD student from Nigeria: In his doctoral dissertation, defended recently, with the title Clusters, Networks and Innovation in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises: The Role of Productive Investment in the Development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria Mister Uzor has brought together in theoretical and empirical analyses the three interrelated issues of clusters, networks and innovation activities for the Nigerian SME sector; policy implications and an Agenda for Action to improve the performance of the Nigerian SME sector were as well outlined; the study is also of relevance for other African and developing countries when redesigning policies for their SME sectors (see the short synopsis); the doctoral dissertation was supervised by Professors Karl Wohlmuth and Axel Sell from IWIM; other related studies from the author can be accessed and downloaded (see IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers).

  • The Business Guide Germany Africa 2009/2010 has just appeared, published by Wegweiser GmbH Berlin, supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and in association with develoPPP.de, AHK, Germany Trade & Invest, and BDI; Professor Karl Wohlmuth has contributed as an author with the article Emerging Markets – Die afrikanischen Staaten in der Weltwirtschaft (Emerging Markets – The African States in the World Economy); the report is intended to facilitate economic and business relations between African and German enterprises; the new report will be launched at an Economic Roundtable and a meeting for the press in Berlin on July 15, 2009; a long version of the article by Professor Wohlmuth is published with a Summary in English as the Number 117 in the IWIM Blue Series Discussion Papers.

  • Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth participated in an Expert Group Meeting that took place on 8 – 9 June, 2009 at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna on the issue of Adding Value to Africa’s Agro-Industry and Trade. The purpose of the Expert Group Meeting was

    a) to discuss new industrial development concepts and strategies for a background paper to be submitted for the High-level Conference on Development of Agribusiness and Agro-Industries in Africa scheduled to take place late 2009 in Abuja, Nigeria, and

    b) to prepare as a team of experts the work for a major background study on the theme of Value Addition to Africa’s Industry and Trade.

     

  • Vom 04.05.-08.05.2009 fand in Bremen erneut ein Seminar für chinesische Führungskräfte vom Anti-Smuggling Bureau der VRC statt (see foto). Die Teilnehmer kamen aus allen Landesteilen, Organisiert wurde das Seminar durch Prof. Dr. Axel Sell (IWIM) und Dipl.-Päd. Helmut Passe-Tietjen vom Zentrum für Weiterbildung der Universität Bremen. Im Mittelpunkt des Seminars standen Fragen der Welthandelsordnung. Themen waren insbesondere Dumping und Anti-Dumping-Maßnahmen sowie das Spannungsverhältnis zwischen dem „Übereinkommen der UNESCO zum Schutz und zur Förderung der Vielfalt kultureller Ausdrucksformen“ und den Bestimmungen der Welthandelsorganisation (WTO). Außerdem wurden handelspolitisch relevante Fragen des EU-Rechts, Fragen des deutschen und europäischen Verbraucherschutzes und der Corporate Governance behandelt. Als Referenten wirkten neben den Organisatoren die Dipl.-Ök. Henning Behrens und Sven Fiegehenn sowie Dipl.-Kfm. Stefan Barenberg 

  • Call for Papers

Nigeria Country Workshop: "New Researches on Development in Nigeria"

Time: July 22nd, 2009, 10 am to 17 pm

Venue: Faculty of Economics and Business Studies, University of Bremen

Purpose: It is the purpose of the workshop to present new research results
on development in Nigeria for three core issues (education and poverty;
small industries and industrialisation; globalisation and development).

New researches at IWIM on development in Nigeria will be presented by three
speakers on the following themes:

1. "Income Distribution, Education and Poverty in Nigeria" Speaker: Dr.
Reuben A. Alabi

2. "Networks, Clusters and Innovation in Nigerian Small and Medium Scale
Industries" Speaker: Dr. des. O. O. Uzor

3. "Applying a New Globalisation Index to Development Problems of Nigeria".
Speaker: Dr. des. S. Ebenthal

The speakers will present full papers of their researches. Related
researches by the speakers can be downloaded here. Participation of guests
is welcomed upon application. Related researches can be presented by the
guests in short statements. Guests can also become discussants of presented
papers.

Contact: Professor Karl Wohlmuth (mailto:wohlmuth@uni-bremen.de)

Administration of the Workshop: Research Assistant: A. Tchokam
(mailto:iwimsek@uni-bremen.de)

  • Dr. Reuben A. Alabi, A. v. Humboldt Research Fellow at IWIM, gave a mid-term report about his research on "Progressivity of Education Spending in Nigeria" (see foto). See also the related studies by Dr. Alabi  here. Full evidence about the research programme will be presented at the Nigeria Country Workshop on July 22nd, 2009 about "New Researches on Development in Nigeria". Researches will be presented on three themes: 1. "Income Distribution, Education and Poverty in Nigeria", 2."Networks, Clusters and Innovations in Nigerian Small Industries", and 3."Applying a New Globalisation Index to Nigeria".

  • Research Output S. Ebenthal: New Globalisation Index for Developing Countries Is Available ( See Information.. ). Related studies from the author can be downloaded  here.

  • ICD Spring Seminars 2009, Berlin

    Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (April 28th – May 2nd)

    Scandinavia Meets Germany: A Forum for Young Leaders (May 31st – June 5th)

    Europe Meets Latin America: A Forum for Young Leaders (May 26th – 31st)

    The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org) would like to highlight three Weeklong Seminars taking place in Berlin during Spring 2009, as detailed above. Each Seminar will bring together young leaders interested in the relationship in question for a five-day program of lectures, workshops, group discussions and cultural excursions featuring leading figures from the fields of politics, the arts, academia, media, and business.

  • Einladung zum Doktorandenkolloquium Weltwirtschaft: Vortrag und Diskussion zum Thema " Progressivity of Education Spending in Nigeria", Dr. Reuben A. Alabi, A. v. Humboldt Research Fellow, at IWIM, am 29. April 2009, 16.00 bis 18.00 Uhr, Hochschulring 4, Rotunde 3/3. Etage. Die offizielle Einladung und das Thesenpapier finden sie hier

  • Neue Programme des ICD/Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (weitere Infos..)

  • Zwanzig Jahre „African Development Perspectives Yearbook” – ein internationales entwicklungspolitisches Netzwerkprojekt“ Mehr...

  • “Governance and Social Action after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan of January 5, 2005: New Publications on Reconstruction, Development and Peace in Sudan by Dr. Samson Samuel Wassara, Project Applicant Phase II and Project Partner Phases I and II, Juba University, Khartoum/Juba, Sudan (For more Information).”

  • A short report from Professor H. Takeuchi, Toyohashi, Japan on the results of his researches in Bremen as visiting professor at IWIM, University of Bremen (March to September 2008) is available here

  • „Twenty Years African Development Perspectives Yearbook
    (1989 – 2009)    :

    The Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen and the Institute for World Economics and International Management (IWIM) have published recently Volume 14 for the year 2009 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the title “New Growth And Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa: Institutional and Local Perspectives”.

    The Research Group started in 1989 its work with Volume 1 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook on the theme “Human Dimensions of Adjustment”, and has over the twenty years covered major issues of policy relevance for Africa. Major themes covered in the various volumes were Industrialization in Africa based on Agricultural Development; Energy for African Development; Active Labour Market Policies in Africa; Governance and Empowerment in Africa; Africa’s Reintegration into the Global Economy; Private Sector Development and Entrepreneurship Development in Africa; Balancing Private and Public Sectors in Africa. The most recent Volumes 13 and 14 present an account and a comprehensive strategy on New Growth And Poverty Alleviation  Strategies for Africa. The international, regional, institutional and local dimensions of the theme are discussed in these two volumes.

    The Research Group has influenced the international discussion on African Development by workshops, conferences, research projects, by hosting guest professors and guest researchers from Africa, by networking international and African research and advisory institutions, by collecting and reviewing books, journals and documents from and for Africa, and by international consultancy work aimed at Africa. An international network of institutions, partners and experts was built up. Over the time the Group became very successful in Africanizing the editorship, the authorship and the readership of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook.

    A new project of the Research Group centers on the issue of “Overcoming Africa’s Trends of De-industrialization by designing new and better adapted Industrial Strategies”. The theme is important because of the rapid deterioration of the industry sector in Africa and of the quality of industrial policies for Africa. ( LIT-Verlag , ADPY...)

  • Professeur Karl Wohlmuth, Professeur de Systèmes d’Economies Comparées, et rédacteur coordonnant de l’Annuaire sur les Perspectives du Développement Africain à la Faculté d’Economie de l’université de Brême, a publié  pour le Groupe de Recherche sur les Perspectives du Développement Africain de Brême les ouvrages suivant:

    •         Volume 13, Annuaire 2008 des Perspectives du Développement Africain intitulé «Nouvelles Stratégies de Croissance et de Réduction de la Pauvreté pour l’Afrique – Perspectives Internationales et Régionales» ;

    •         Volume complémentaire numéro 14, Annuaire 2009 des Perspectives du Développement Africain intitulé «Nouvelles Stratégies de Croissance et de Réduction de la Pauvreté pour l’Afrique – Perspectives Institutionnelles et Locales».

    Le Groupe de Recherche sur les Perspectives du Développement Africain de Brême a commencé son travail en 1989 avec la publication du premier volume intitulé « Dimensions Humaines de l’Ajustement en Afrique».

    Pour plus de détails voir  l’avant-propos,  l’introduction générale ( cliquez ici ) et les informations sur les deux publications  (LIT-Verlag, ADPY...)

  • The A. v. Humboldt Foundation has recently approved Phase II of the Postdoc-Research Programme by Dr. Reuben A. Alabi from the Department of Economics and Agricultural Economics, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria where he serves as Senior Lecturer. Dr. Alabi is a Research Fellow at IWIM in the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen since December 2007. Prof. Wohlmuth supervises the programme for the host institution. The research programme on “Education Spending, Inequality, and Poverty in Nigeria” highlights and analyses issues and the measurement of progressivity of educational spending and the redistributive effects of educational spending in Nigeria, and aims to give analytical and conceptual foundations for reforms in educational funding at all state levels of Nigeria (Research Report by Dr. Alabi, CV ) and the latest study on the research theme published as number 114 of our Reports from the World Economics Colloquium of IWIM, to be downloaded as a PDF from the IWIM homepage)

  • The Volkswagen Foundation has approved Phase II of the IWIM-launched Research Programme „Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Peace Agreement of January 9, 2005”. The main research issues are how to make peace work at local state levels and in border regions of Sudan by reconstructing political, social and economic governance after the long civil war. Phase I was directed by Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth as the head of the project and by Dr. Elke Grawert as the Project Coordinator. Phase II will be directed by Dr. Elke Grawert (as the head of the project and functioning as well as the project coordinator). Prof. Wohlmuth will also in Phase II participate in the research programme as one of the project partners along with professors from the Moi University in Eldoret and the University of Nairobi in Kenya, professors from the University of Khartoum, the Juba University, and the Ahfad University for Women in Sudan, and professors from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia (see details on Phase I of the programme on the IWIM homepage/Governance Sudan-Project). Prof. Wohlmuth supervises in this programme also a doctoral research project on “Investment Conditions and Institutional Development in South Sudan.”

  • IWIM staff has contributed to the Forum 1 - Economics and Business Studies - of the DAAD Africa Day at the University of Cologne on 21 November 2008 (see the presentations as PDFs -1-; -2-; -3-)

  • The African Development Perspectives Yearbook 2008, Volume 13, a flagship publication of IWIM, has been released these days by LIT Publishers (order now at LIT-Verlag). This volume is a comprehensive account of the “New Growth And Poverty Alleviation Strategies For Africa – International And Regional Perspectives”. Volume 14 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook on Institutional and Local Perspectives is also expected soon. 28 authors from all over Africa, from Europe, India, and Canada assess in Volume 13 the issues of pro-poor growth.

  • IWIM has released a new Study on Globalisation and Convergence PDF Nr. 113...

  • Dr. Reuben Alabi, Research Fellow at the IWIM, is invited to speak at the International Conference and Training Workshop in Manila, Philippines more

  • Vortrag über "What Role for Developmental States in the 21st Century?", Dr. Dirk Bezemer (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), am 13. November 2008, 16 bis 18 Uhr, Werderstraße 73, Raum A 18.

  • The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, in partnership with the Institute for Corporate Cultural Affairs (ICCA) and AIESEC, would like to invite students and young professionals to the symposium on "CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES" (November 14 – 16, 2008, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Germany). For more Information...

  • Africa Day of DAAD/German Academic Exchange Service, University of Cologne, November 21-22, 2008:

    Professor Karl Wohlmuth heads the Economics Forum on “Management of Change. Learning from structural, economic and institutional changes in Africa”. Professors, Lecturers and Students with experience in Africa and with contacts to African universities will report on opportunities, chances and possibilities to study and to research in Africa. Dr. Alabi, Humboldt Research Fellow at IWIM, other IWIM staff and IWIM associates will also participate. See for more information about the Africa Day: www.daad.de/afrikatag  sowie:  (Programm)

  • Information about the International Conference in Juba (Sudan), organized by the University of Juba (Professors J. Akol and S. Wassara) and the University of Bremen, IWIM (Dr. E. Grawert, Project Coodinator, Research Project "Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the CPA of January, 2005", sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation and by UNDP Sudan). media report...

  • Frau Hartstock ist nicht mehr als Geschäftsführerin am IWIM tätig. Sie arbeitet ab sofort im Büro für Praxis und Internationales. Ihre Sprechstunde (Erasmus etc.) findet im WIWI-Gebäude, Raum 1.07 statt. Nach wie vor nur nach vorheriger Anmeldung per Telefon (218-7543) oder Mail (maren.hartstock@uni-bremen.de). Kontakt...  

  • The Research Group on African Development  Perspectives Bremen has finalized the international research project “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa”. Two volumes of the African Development  Perspectives Yearbook are now published on this theme, and the books can be ordered by LIT Publishers (see the contents of   Volume13... and of Volume14(Neu)..., and how to order the new books LIT-Verlag).The Research Group is starting a new research project for the years 2009-2011 with the title “Overcoming Premature Deindustrialization Trends in Africa – Towards A New Industrial Policy for Africa”. Interested researchers, research organizations and academic institutions are invited to contact Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen for a potential cooperation - by the Email address: wohlmuth@uni-bremen.de

  • Cooperative Research Project "Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Peace Agreement of January 9, 2005: local, national and regional dimensions ...here you can also find the report of the three Stakeholder Workshops 2008

  • Attendance at Workshops by Dr. Reuben Adeolu ALABI: Dr. Reuben Adeolu Alabi, a Post Doctoral Research Fellow (financed by the Humboldt Foundation) at the Institute of World Economics and International Management (IWIM), University of Bremen, has been selected on a highly competitive basis as one of four Scholars to be invited to attend the Workshop on: ‘CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE IN POLITICAL ECONOMY ANALYSIS’. The workshop will be held in Accra, Ghana, June 15-27, 2008 with the very much known Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) as the host institute.  More...  

  • Attendance at the international Conference "Corporate Culture in a Global Perspective: China, Japan, and the Middle East": Our guest professor Prof. Dr. Haruo Takeuchi (Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan) will hold a talk about "Corporate Culture and the Changes in the Employment System in Japan" on the 5th of June, 2008, organized by the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen (venue: Haus der Wissenschaft, Sandstrasse 4/5).

  • Zusammenfassung des Vortrages des letzten Weltwirtschaftlichen Colloquiums vom 16. April 2008 von Herrn Prof. Dr. Haruo Takeuchi (Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan): The Financial Safety Net after the Collapse of the Bubble Economy in Japan als  PDF.

Forschungsarbeit

Dr. Reuben Adeolu Alabi (Humboldt-Stipendiat, Researcher am IWIM 
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria) (links im Bild)

  • Cooperative Research Project (Volkswagen Foundation):  
         ***CALL FOR PAPERS*** “Governance and Social Action in Conflict Societies” 
    Please find here detailed information. 

    Findings and impressions of the First Grantees Meeting in Bamako, Mali are available here.
    Overall project's information you will find here:     "Governance and Social Action in Sudan after the Peace Agreement of January 9, 2005: local, national and regional dimensions".  

  • Am 28.-29.01.2008 veranstaltete das IWIM zusammen mit dem National Institute of Business (Moskau, Russland) eine wissenschaftliche Konferenz der Reihe „West-Ost-Diskurs“ zum Thema "Government Relations: Analyse der Interaktionen zwischen Wirtschaft, Politik und Gesellschaft“. Weitere Infos finden Sie hier oder unter http://www.west-ost-diskurs.de. Fotos der Konferenz: hier. Presseresonanz (Diverse Artikel in den Verbandsnachrichten des Verbandes der Deutschen Wirtschaft in der Russischen Förderation, Dezember 2007): hier.

  • 8.-10. November 2007: International Research Workshop "New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa" of the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen, University of Bremen. Presentation and discussion of the contributions of the new release of African Development Perspectives Yearbook Vol. 13 (2008). Please find the Workshop's Minutes (2.58mb) as well as the presentations and the  workshop programme in detail.

  • Vortrag von Prof. Wohlmuth auf dem Länderseminar Sudan vom 5. bis 7. Oktober 2007 in der Akademie Frankenwarte in Würzburg, hier als PDF abrufbar.

  • In einer Feierstunde am 14. September 2007 wurde Prof. Dr. Axel Sell an der privaten Universität „National Business Institute“ in Moskau die Ehrenprofessur verliehen. 

 Die Universität ist eine 1995 gegründete moderne russische Hochschule mit etwa 3.000 Studierenden. Sie ist auf die Fächer Wirtschaft und Jura spezialisiert. Zur Zeit wird vom IWIM ein internetgestützter Kurs zur internationalen Unternehmensplanung durchgeführt, an dem neben den Partneruniversitäten Tambov und Belgorod auch Studierende vom National Institute of Business teilnehmen. Fast zeitgleich mit der Ehrung erschien in 3. Auflage und in russischer Sprache das Lehrbuch von Prof. Sell "Investition und Finanzierung unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Planung und Bewertung von Projekten", Moskau 2007, ISBN 5-86894-493-3

  • Buch-Neuerscheinungen des IWIM:
           for picture click here

African Development Perspectives Yearbook Vol. 14 (2009): Karl Wohlmuth, Reuben Adeolu Alabi, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Afeikhena Jerome, Tobias Knedlik, Mareike Meyn, Tino Urban (Eds.) New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - Institutional and Local Perspectives, Lit-Verlag, Hamburg, Münster. 

African Development Perspectives Yearbook Vol. 13 (2008): Karl Wohlmuth, Reuben Adeolu Alabi, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Afeikhena Jerome, Tobias Knedlik, Mareike Meyn, Tino Urban (Eds.) New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - International and Regional Perspectives, Lit-Verlag, Hamburg, Münster. 

For further details click here

Anlässlich seines 65. Geburtstages wurde Herrn Prof. Sell eine Festschrift im Rahmen der Institutsreihe beim LIT-Verlag gewidmet. Titel: "Internationales Management". 
 Weitere Informationen finden Sie hier. 

"Internationales Management": this book is a gift to Professor Axel Sell, written by former students, friends, colleagues, and companions, to honour him on his 65th birthday. 
For further information please click here.

Anlässlich seines 65. Geburtstages wurde Herrn Prof. Wohlmuth eine Festschrift im Rahmen der Institutsreihe beim LIT-Verlag gewidmet. Titel: "Ökonomische Systeme im Wandel der Weltwirtschaft. Economic Systems in a Changing World Economy". 
 Weitere Informationen finden Sie hier. 

"Economic Systems in a Changing World Economy": this book is a gift to Professor Karl Wohlmuth, written by former students, friends, colleagues, and companions, to honour him on his 65th birthday, December 8th, 2007. 
For further information please click here.

African Development Perspectives Yearbook Vol. 12 (2007): Karl Wohlmuth, Chicot Eboué, Achim Gutowski, Afeikhena Jerome, Tobias Knedlik, Mareike Meyn, Touna Mama (Eds.) Africa - Commodity Dependence, Resource Curse and Export Diversification, Lit-Verlag, Hamburg, Münster. 
For further details click  here. 

African Institutions could acquire Yearbook 12 to the subscription price of € 35,- against prepayment (e. g. remitted by cheque).

 

The new IWIM publication “Reconstructing Economic Governance after Conflict in Resource-rich African Countries” has been published recently. This publication is a collection of policy briefs written by a various number of African and European researchers on the issue of Reconstructing Economic Governance after Conflict in Resource-rich African Countries. This is the first book that covers this particular issue. 
For further information please click here. 

Students and IWIM guests would be entitled to receive a price-discounted copy by direct contacting with the staff of IWIM.

 
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