Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2024

This year, our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellows gathered in Germany to discuss the nature and nuances of the changing international order with German members of parliament, analysts, activists, teachers, and students. Together, they explored how the changing international order is shaping Germany’s socio-political discourse. They also looked at how the multitude of conflicts impacts the country’s social fabric and influences political realities here in Germany.

In many ways, 2024 has been a critical year. Not only has it seen many decisive elections, the year has also witnessed an escalation of armed conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and the greater Middle East. It also saw the rise of right-wing policies and politicians across the world; and communities exposed to devastating impacts of climate change. In addition, the inability of a global multilateral system to provide adequate responses to these challenges exposes fault lines between the affluent and powerful West and the emerging, ambitious so-called Global South. In countries in the Global South that choose to pursue their own agenda, regional and alternative interest-based alliances are gaining popularity. Moreover, Western countries’ role in accelerating climate change, exacerbating inequality, and undermining human security, combined with accusations of double standards, has further eroded the credibility of and trust in the so-called liberal world order. There is a shared sense of disappointment, especially in the Global South as established and powerful countries in the West refuse to acknowledge the power shifts so as to thwart the emerging powers’ aspirations.

One of the dominant topics during the panel discussions and working-group sessions was the increasing inability of the flawed multilateral system to deliver a global common good. The resurgence of nationalism and protectionism in many parts of the world has weakened the multilateral institutions that were once the bedrock of global governance. There was a broad consensus that the multilateral system doesn’t provide enough space for emerging countries to represent their interests.

Making the broader discussions around multilateralism concrete and looking at it through an EU/German lens bridged the gap between  the theoretical conversations around how multilateralism needs to change, on the one hand, and the challenges of rolling out those reforms for a country like Germany or the broader EU, on the other. Some of the key aspects that came up in the discussion were:

We need more nuanced debates and a tolerance of ambiguity. This involves a conscious effort to not look at the world as binary.

The EU is currently going through multiple crises that are intensified when there are double standards involved: one set of engagement rules within the EU and another for interactions with the outside world, particularly the Global South.

Germany’s long-standing assumption of being surrounded by friends and partners has changed. Having taken security for granted, it now finds itself in a fix to uphold freedom close to home while relying on NATO for protection. Though pressed to step up as a security provider, Germany remains a receiver of security and protection.

An upsurge in conflicts in African countries, especially in Western Africa, has led local observers and stakeholders to question partnerships with the EU, including Germany and France. Questions that arise: “Whose security are we trying to protect? What is a threat for whom?”

Countries like Germany that promise safety for refugees now face a big dilemma: how can they continue to uphold humanitarian values while also addressing the real challenges of migration and its political consequences?

In any conversation that involves the changing world order, the US-China rivalry and its implications are often central – and the Forum was no exception. Working groups addressed this issue while factoring in the nuances and challenges presented by politicians, China observers, and some of our Chinese fellows:

The US and China, both interested in protecting and advancing their national strength while deterring any major threats to their power, offer contrasting visions of a multipolar order for the 21st century.

China’s trade and investment relations reinforce preexisting models of natural-resource-extractive dependencies, underdeveloped manufacturing capacity, and rising debt. The US, on the other hand, pressures states to fall into line against China’s perceived predations.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the policy change that it may bring is a huge uncertainty for the West.

The fear of geopolitical rivalries and associated power is increasingly influencing the economic relations of many countries including those of Germany with China. Germany's new China strategy promises a stronger focus on derisking and constructive interaction and critical partnerships rather than decoupling.

It is difficult to coordinate on China policy with the US as Europe/Germany still wants to maintain a working relationship with China and not become embroiled in the broader strategic rivalry.

President Xi Jinping has consolidated authoritarian control in China and the effects of China’s fast rise have appeared more threatening. At the same time, the US has grown more alarmist and protectionist against China’s intentions and global activities.

China observers point out that China aims to influence the international order but often faces resistance because key players in this system are democratic nations. The multilateral institutions that constitute the basic framework of international relations are democratic. Thus, China will face pushback when it tries to control them.

Climate change and the efforts to minimize its impacts on vulnerable communities needs to be understood when looking at the changing international order. We invited Carlos Alvarado Quesada, the former president of Costa Rica, and Farhana Yamin, a climate activist and internationally acclaimed lawyer, to discuss this.

During the Forum, there was a consensus that the changing global order not only impacts the international landscape but is interconnected with political developments at a domestic level. These international debates are actively reshaping local communities and have begun to influence the everyday life of individuals. In Germany, factors such as the rise of the far right, inconsistent policy decisions regarding migration, inclusion and diversity, conversations around climate change, and shifts in the international order are having a significant impact on a local level. What do these changes look like? What are the challenges Germany faces? Is it taking concrete steps to respond? If not, what could it do?

The Forum came up with these thoughts:

Germany is faced with multiple domestic challenges: politicians on the far right and left exploit ethnicity, religion, and class to manipulate voters and instill fear, creating a fundamental challenge to democratic integrity. This opens the way for exclusive identity politics. There is also impatience with and wavering faith in democratic institutions and processes. This erodes democratic institutions. Mainstream parties struggle to provide credible solutions. Unless the mainstream political parties urgently provide new narratives with credible solutions, the far right and far left will grow in Germany.

One of the most visible effects of global crises on a local level is the increased flow of refugees and migrants. This brings together various cultures and world views, and contributes to the diversification of local communities. As these communities seek space in socio-political discourses, they bring in their views on conflicts in other regions of the world like Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Gaza. They have a tangible impact on the fabric of the German society. The German apparatus – state and otherwise – as well as large parts of the civil society have been caught off guard when these issues surfaced and were unprepared for this challenge. While on the one hand they are trying to do right by people with migration histories, on the other they are increasingly grappling with the challenges of keeping the far right at bay.

The AfD's rising influence and the growing public hostility toward migration are changing the discourse. Mainstream parties too have started to embrace right-wing language, leading to tougher policies. This may increase tensions around migration as a broad phenomenon. While the economy needs migration to address shortages of skilled labor, the lack of political backing may complicate a successful implementation of a comprehensive migration policy.

Growing multiculturalism and related challenges are a microcosm of global power dynamics playing out at a local level. Local leaders and policymakers must understand and manage the domestic impacts of global shifts and help mitigate the rise of the right and societal discord.

Catering to cultural needs of people with migration histories requires a strategy for them to feel at home, to become familiar with the cultural aspects of life in Germany. It also involves openness on the part of German society to embrace a diversity of histories and world views. Multiple stakeholders, including an active civil society, are trying to contribute to these efforts. But these efforts won’t be enough unless they have strong political backing.

The German media propagates a world view that is largely West German. It has a traditional, conservative outlook. This is reflected in the lack of eastern German voices in leading newsrooms who understand the eastern German story as a lived experience.

There are too few German foreign correspondents in relevant, emerging regions. There is a lack of nuanced reporting on conflicts in some world regions, often resulting in lopsided coverage or self-censorship. Consequently, migration communities feel excluded since their perspectives and realities are absent from mainstream discourse, leading to them feeling “othered.” Right-wing politics thrives under these circumstances: it gives disenchanted constituencies a feeling of being seen and heard. If the media doesn’t come up with a strategy to address these shortcomings – to create space for these “other” voices – there is a high danger that they will lose these people to extremists.

In addition to issues around migration and diversity, nation states are currently stalled on other big issues like climate change. A country like Germany, which is highly decentralized and grants wide-ranging autonomy to the states, could make use of this and dedicate efforts and resources toward strengthening smaller actors like states and cities to address these issues effectively at a local level – and eventually contribute to national progress.

An important space where some of the mentioned conflicts around migration, class, etc. play out is in school classrooms where multiple worldviews confront one another. Students of all ages struggle with issues around belonging and identity. This is a space that if not tackled tactfully has the potential to influence impressionable young minds. On the other hand, if tackled in a strategic manner, this space could also instill faith in their minds about the society and the system that they are a part of. How could this be done?

Give students appropriate platforms to express their anxieties, concerns, and questions within the framework of a school in order to give them a feeling that they belong. This will go a long way to help them become responsible, contributing members of society.

The backgrounds of children coming into the German school system has diversified. It has moved from what used to be children from families of primarily economic migrants to a broader mix of students who are also fleeing from wars, bringing a lot of traumas with them that needs immediate attention. Schools and teachers need to be sensitized to this aspect and be provided with the right tools to address this challenge.

Only a fraction of teachers in the German school system has migration history. So, the associated stereotypes, lack of relatable role models, lack of an understanding of other histories, insensitivity towards different world views, and inequalities are handed down to the next generation of students. Taking conscious efforts to bring in more diversity among the teaching staff will go a long way to address this issue.

Learning German may be an important steppingstone for building a life in Germany. But there should also be spaces in the German school system that allow for children to share their other worlds with their classmates.

The Academy couldn’t have been so special had it not been for the Fellows who fill it life, thought-provoking discussions, and camaraderie that transgresses boundaries. We asked the Fellows to share why an institution like the Academy is important and the role it can play in polarizing times.

And last but not least, birthday wishes to the Academy and to everyone who makes it what it is – a space to Think. Debate and Inspire.