Cultural and Political Change (CPC)
The scientific team of the group builds on expertise from various disciplines, such as human geography, social anthropology, sociology, political sciences, history, development studies, as well as on law and planning. While research themes and regions vary because they depend on the current composition of researchers and ongoing projects, our empirical work is characterized by interdisciplinary social science research carried out at various scales. We usually focus on the local scale where we use mainly qualitative studies and complement them with quantitative methods.
Our group hosts the head office of the Right Livelihood College.
CPC Projects
Keywords
Doctoral Studies Support Program, Colombia, ZEF, DAAD, SDGs
Countries
Colombia, Germany
Summary
This bilateral doctoral studies support program on „Environmental peace building and development in Colombia“ of ZEF at the University of Bonn and the Universidad Nacional, Bogotá, Instituto de Estudios Ambientales (IDEA), will look at the nexus of natural resources, governance and conflict in Colombia. We will use innovative and integrative concepts, methods and instruments to explore interdependencies. The joint German-Colombian production of knowledge based on interdisciplinary exposure and integrative measures is the more important in a country in which the recently signed peace appraisal will be put to test by the way the society finds solutions for pressing issues related to conflictive extractive activities, environmental protection and not least the participation and inclusion of the population in decision making processes to reduce environmental conflicts.
Rights and access to natural resources
Territorial rights and access to natural resources are key elements to understand long-standing political and social conflicts in the world. In Latin America, their role is enhanced by many interconnected factors such as divergent world views on land and territory and consequential competing interests. This includes for example concepts of land and nature as livelihood with symbolic meaning vs. the notion of land and its resources as a commodity. Such factors are largely responsible for the increasing and unsustainable use of resources and exploitation of natural resources. This can be in the form of more extractive activities such as mining, agro-industries and monocultures with a destructive impact on the environment.
Colombia’s case of conflict
Colombia is a show case of a country in which territorial rights, land use and the extraction of natural resources have been deeply entrenched with diverse forms of violence. The long-lasting armed conflicts starting in the mid1960s between different guerrilla groups such as the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, today Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común) and ELN (Ejercito de Liberación Nacional) on the one hand and the consecutive Colombian governments on the other show the linkages between armed conflict and historically derived inequalities in terms of access to land and territorial distribution. In Colombia, this relation has not only led to the exploitation and destruction of the environment but also to the expropriation of land and displacement of rural population. In fact, Colombia is one of the earth’s five mega-biodiversity centers which makes the country the world‘s core biodiversity region and therefore a hotspot for its commodification.
“Post-conflict” opportunity
Currently, Colombia faces a unique historical challenge with the ‘post-conflict’ (posacuerdo), because the peace agreement with FARC and the peace negotiations with ELN seem to end the armed conflict. But the challenge lies in implementing strategies for a ‘sustainable peace’, which would need to address the unequal distribution of land, the legal pluralistic notions of land, respective claims for territorial rights and the sustainable use of ecosystems and natural resources rather than exploiting them arbitrarily. Nonetheless, the relations between the environment and the armed conflict in Colombia are manifold. Thus, the diverse ecosystems and natural resources may appear as the cause, the victim (deforestation, fumigation), or the beneficiary (through the protection and conservation of contested sites with high biodiversity) of these ongoing conflicts. At the same time, the environment and the way territory is distributed and used is at the core of any long lasting solution to the complex conflict.
Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary project approach
This project needs and chose an interdisciplinary approach to deal with the complex setting. The different relations between the environment and the conflict in Colombia, the role land and access to natural resources play for the peace building process and how the environment can be protected in the long run while simultaneously balancing the different exploitation interests still need an interdisciplinary scientific exploration . Both the dimension of the destruction of the environment and the development of solutions to use and protect the environment and all the people therein (implementing an institutional set-up for land use planning, developing forms of alternative agricultural production, ecological-organic farming, tourism, etc.) need further analysis in order to fully understand human-nature relationships and the feedback mechanisms of the socio-ecological systems. Whether the commercialization of natural resources can be managed in a sustainable way depends to a large extent on the legal and institutional set-up and the way the affected population is involved in decision-making on strategies to use the common goods and develop the country. The future of peace in Colombia highly depends on sustainable, locally adapted and integrated solutions for land use and access to resources, to which highly qualified scientists can substantially contribute.
Methodology
Development of an Interdisciplinary doctoral program addressing the SDGs
Creation of a research agenda addressing the SDGs
Main Cooperation Partners
Institute for Environmental Studies (IDEA) in Bogotá, Colombia
Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)
University for Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana
UN System Staff College (UNSSC) - Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development
Main Funding Partners
BMZ, DAAD
Duration of the Project
until December 2025
Project Homepage
https://dssp-colombia.org/
Team
at ZEF:
Eva Youkhana (project leader)
Dennis Aviles Irahola (coordinator)
Christian Petersheim (financial administration)
Carolina Tobón Ramírez (coordinator)
in Colombia at IDEA:
Tomás León Sicard (project leader)
Laura Calderón (research assistant)
Maria-Fernanda Ronancio Mateus (student assistant)
Juan Manuel Rengifo (data management)
Henry Zarate Ceballos (server management)
Nicolás Pérez (data management)
Keywords
PhD Program, Ghana, Development Studies
Countries
Ghana
Summary
The ZEF-led DAAD Center of Excellence in Ghana
The Ghanaian-German Center for Development Studies (GGCDS) established in 2008 in collaboration with the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, aims at training dedicated and innovative future leaders from Ghana and other African countries who commit themselves to the development of their countries and can contribute to the strong partnership between Germany and many African countries. PhD-candidates undergo intense training in interdisciplinary development theory, methodology, and professional skills and conduct research on a range of topics related to the economic, social, and political development of their countries. This research not only directly contributes new insights and knowledge that feed into development processes but also, in addition to their training, equips the students with expertise enabling them to take up responsible positions in universities, government, NGOs, and international organizations after obtaining their PhD. Furthermore, the GGCDS supports academic exchange and capacity building in the form research visits in Germany and international conference participation not only for students, but also for the staff of our collaborating partners.
After a successful evaluation of the GGCDS in 2012/2013, funding for a second project phase until 2018, in which the partnership will be expanded to include the University of Development Studies (UDS) in northern Ghana, has been granted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Federal Foreign Office.
Main Cooperation Partners
Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana
Faculty of Planning and Land Management, University of Development Studies (UDS)
Main Funding Partners
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
German Federal Foreign Office
Further information
» Call for application
» Students and their profiles
» PhD course 2014
» Photo gallery
» GGDDS Brochure
» Alumni
» News
» Further information
Duration of the Project
2008 - 2023
Project Homepage
https://www.zef.de/index.php?id=2546
Team
at ISSER
Prof. Dr. Peter Quartey (ISSER Director)
Dr. Martha Awo (PhD program coordinator)
Contact
Dr. Wolfram Laube, Phone.: +49-228-73-4914
Keywords
Landscape heritage, Environmental changes, Heritage conservation, Cultural landscape futures, Eastern Africa
Countries
Ethiopia, Kenya
Summary
Designation of cultural landscapes as UNESCO World Heritage Sites with outstanding universal values defines a globally recognized status, beyond their local values. However, cultural landscapes are not static, and many of them, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, experience strong local dynamics with massive environmental, economic and social changes and conflicts. This study, therefore, aims to understand UNESCO World Heritage Sites as ‘living’ landscapes that are shaped and transformed through local dynamics including context-specific socio-economic, cultural, environmental and political factors. The case studies will be Konso Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia and the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests in Kenya, UNESCO recognized cultural landscapes in Eastern Africa. The concept of human-environment interactions in cultural landscapes, sustainability and the concept of intersectionality (especially, for the gender dimension) guide the analysis. The analysis and understanding of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as ‘living’ and changing cultural landscapes will contribute to develop approaches to maintain their sustainable futures.
Methodology
Intergenerational change analysis of landscape values and indigenous conservation practices
Human-environment interactions, and land use and livelihood transition analysis
Meta-analysis based on case studies to contribute to academic discourses and policy discussion towards sustainable development and landscape conservation
Mixed methods approach: qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
Main Cooperation Partners
Dilla University
Kenyatta University
Main Funding Partners
The Volkswagen Foundation
Duration of the Project
2022 - 2026
Team
Asrat Gella (project coordinator)
Dr. Abiyot Legesse Kura
Dr. Eric Kioko
Dr. Asebe Regassa Debelo
Dr. Till Stellmacher
Dr. Joslyn Muthio Nzau
Dr. Engida Esayas Dube
Dr. Yimer Mohammed Assen
Yesim Pacal
Contact
Asrat Gella, Phone.: +49-228-73-
Keywords
Right Livelihood College, RLC, Alternative Nobel Prize, capacity building, trans-disciplinarity
Countries
India, Kenya, Chile, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda
Summary
The Right Livelihood College (RLC) is a global education and research initiative of universities and the Right Livelihood Award, known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize". The RLC promotes transdisciplinary education and research on social justice, poverty and environmental sustainability together with Laureates and organizations of the "Alternative Nobel Prize".
The RLC initiative comprises ten campuses and centres worldwide. The campuses are located at universities in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Bangkok (Thailand), Bonn (at ZEF, Germany), Córdoba (Argentina), Lund (Sweden), Mumbai (India), Port Harcourt (Nigeria), Santa Cruz (USA),Valdivia (Chile) and Zurich (Switzerland).
The RLC Campus at ZEF provides 3-year PhD scholarships for research projects in the Global South and organizes international conferences, workshops and research seminars, as well as public panel discussions with “Alternative Nobel Prize” Laureates in Bonn.
In 2014, the Global Secretariat of the RLC moved from Penang, Malaysia, to ZEF in Bonn. The Global Secretariat is responsible for setting the overall strategy and direction of the RLC and liaising with and supporting the activities of the RLC campuses and centres around the world. Since 2018, the Global Secretariat started its RLC Alumni programme, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Main Cooperation Partners
Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Stockholm
Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), Sweden
College of Development Studies (CDS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, India
University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
University of Córdoba, Argentina
University of Zurich, Switzerland
City of Bonn
Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum
International Association of Universities (IAU) - Affiliate Membership status
Main Funding Partners
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Volkswagen Foundation
Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation
Duration of the Project
Inauguration of RLC Campus Bonn at ZEF in 2011
Opening of RLC Global Secretariat at ZEF in 2014
Beginning of the RLC Alumni programme in 2018
ongoing
Project Homepage
http://www.rlc-bonn.de
Team
Dr. Till Stellmacher
Arthur Guischet
Lani Döhring
PhD students:
Alejandro Mora Motta
Amit Kumar
Dorothy Birungi Namuyiga
Ewere Evelyn Anyokwu
Ahmed Abdalla
Irene Ojuok
Graduates:
Dr. Juliet Wanjiku Kamau
Dr. Willis Okumu
Dr. Divya Swaminathan
Dr. Lai Wan Teng
Contact
Dr. Till Stellmacher, Phone.: +49-228-73-4907
Keywords
Urbanization; rural-urban fringes/interfaces; land use and livelihood transition
Countries
Ethiopia
Summary
Studying land use and livelihood transitions in rural-urban interfaces increasingly becomes a major concern in development sciences. Currently, middle-sized cities are places where land governance and livelihood changes are taking place very fast, often faster than in the bigger cities. This research will investigate transitions in land governance and livelihoods in rural-urban interfaces in Ethiopia taking the case of Hawassa. The study understands transition as a multi-level governance process. It takes place in three interconnected levels: niche, socio-technical regime, and socio-technical landscape. The study will analyze how urbanization impacts on smallholder farmers livelihoods in rural-urban interfaces in Hawassa.
Methodology
Mixed methods approach will be followed for data collection and analysis. The first phase of the research consists of qualitative data collection through transect walk, mapping, free listing, preference ranking, focus group discussion, and participant observation. This will be followed by the second phase in which quantitative data is collected through semi-structured and structured interviews. Finally, interviews with experts in government organizations and NGOs will conclude the data collection. Analysis of qualitative data will be carried out with the help of ATLAS-ti, whereas quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS and STATA.
Main Cooperation Partners
Department of Geography, University of Bonn
Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Cologne
Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University
Main Funding Partners
German Research Foundation (DFG)
Duration of the Project
Feb. 2021 - Jan. 2023
Contact
Dr. Girma Kelboro Mensuro, Phone.: +49-228-73-4917
Keywords
Sustainable Rural Development in West Africa, Academic Capacity Building, Renewable Energy Generation, Agricultural Water Management, Agricultural Economy, Development Management
Countries
Ghana, Niger and Germany. Students from other West African countries
Summary
Established in 2017, the West African Center for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT) develops interdisciplinary research and teaching programs that produce the required knowledge, applicable technological solutions, and locally adapted business models and administrative approaches, like renewable energy sources and agricultural water management. Bringing partners from Niger and Ghana together, the center fosters synergies to address problems that are shared by many West-African Countries. WAC-SRT bridges rural-urban and Anglophone-Francophone divides in order to contribute towards West Africa’s sustainable rural transformation in an interdisciplinary and transnational manner.
Main Cooperation Partners
University of Bonn, Germany / Center for Development Research Bonn (ZEF)
Université Abdou Moumouni (UAM) Niamey, Niger / Faculty of Science and Technology
University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana / Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Science (FACS)
University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), Wa, Ghana / Faculty of Planning and Land Management (FPLM)
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana / Institute for Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER)
Main Funding Partners
German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Budget for first phase: 1.8 Million Euros
Duration of the Project
Phase 1: 2017 - 2021
Phase 2: 2022 - 2026 (planned)
Project Homepage
https://www.zef.de/wac-srt
Team
At ZEF - Bonn:
Dr. Wolfram Laube (project leader)
Christian Petersheim (project coordinator)
Aline Pereira (project coordinator)
At UAM - Niamey, Niger:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Adamou Rabani (project director)
Dr. Karimoun Massalatchi Illyassou (project coordinator)
Mr. Agbo David (project coordinator)
At UDS - Tamale, Ghana:
Dr. Michael Ayamga (project director)
Mr. Isaac Gershon Kodwo Ansah (project coordinator)
At UBIDS – Wa, Ghana:
Dr. Emmanuel Derbile (project director)
Dr. Elias D Kuusaana (project coordinator)
At University of Ghana – Legon, Ghana:
Prof. Dr. Felix Asante (project coordinator)
Contact
Dr. Wolfram Laube, Phone.: +49-228-73-4914