On 4 April, IDOS and GIZ hosted an online event on “Collaborative Synergies: Partnerships between GIZ and the academic and research communities worldwide”. It focused on trilateral knowledge flows and overcoming asymmetries in science cooperation.
Anna-Katharina Horndige, ©IDOS
The event explored how partnerships between GIZ as an implementation agency and scientific institutions and academia can be shaped to be of mutual benefit – and thereby crucially to the benefit of partner countries and communities. Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Vice-Chair of GIZ’s Management Board and IDOS Director, Prof. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, delivered opening remarks. This was followed by sharing of perspectives of multiple research partners of GIZ and interactive discussions with international partners from research institutions and academia around the world as well as GIZ staff. The event highlighted the importance of strengthening trilateral knowledge flows between implementing agencies, research partners, and partner institutions. In this regard, asymmetries between science systems – in particular between those which predominantly study global challenges and those of countries most affected by these challenges – pose a high obstacle for mutual learning for effective development cooperation. Finally, the event also discussed risks of geopolitication of research and science cooperation.
