BMZ African-German Leadership Academy 2023: Welcome to IDOS!

The arrival of the 23 participants marks the start of the two-and-a-half-month attendance phase in Germany.

During the preceding online phase, the participants already got to know each other digitally, gained insight into the work of IDOS, and developed a common understanding of sustainability. Coming from Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Togo, Zambia, and various places in Germany, the participants travelled to Bonn, where they were welcomed at IDOS. During a visit to Bonn city hall, participants learned about Bonn’s sustainability strategy. On their visit to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the participants had the opportunity to exchange views with selected speakers. The Academy Market, organized by the current cohort, offered the opportunity to present their culture and fields of expertise to the IDOS staff and guests. Another opportunity for exchange was a networking evening with stakeholders and actors in the field of sustainable development.

Following the introductory phase, the first academic module focused on Governance for Sustainability, where participants were introduced to concepts and key ideas around sustainability transitions and transformations. The module also addressed institutional arrangements to facilitate the process of systematic change, the presentation of case studies as illustrations, and an intervention on sustainable consumption. Concluding with game-based learning on negotiation and a simulation.

Following this, the participants were given an insight into Design Thinking, which participants will apply during the project phase of the Academy to find practical solutions to real-life challenges. As of the end of May, the participants were engaged in a one-week leadership training, in which they discussed, among other things, the characteristics of leaders, communication, and mindfulness and had time for reflection.