In view of the upcoming coalition negotiations , the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has presented a position paper that puts forward stimuli for German Foreign Academic Policy. Containing ten points, it argues in favour of a practically oriented Foreign Academic Policy within a global community of responsibility so as to able to meet the challenges that face the world in the 2020s.

“Germany faces enormous challenges in the 2020s in terms of its Foreign Academic Policy: in the Anthropocene epoch, human beings have become the key factor influencing atmospheric, biological and geological processes. The resulting crises can only be tackled successfully by means of excellent academic networking and cooperation between all countries. For this reason, we must take on greater responsibility in the context of global academic relations and – based on the foundation of our own values – promote a practically oriented Foreign Academic Policy in the best sense of the word,” said DAAD President Professor Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. The DAAD’s considerations are to be seen as a contribution to the further development of German science diplomacy too, he added.

Under the title “Venturing increased responsibility in a globally networked world”, the DAAD position paper identifies ten points for a successful, practically oriented German Foreign Academic Policy within a global community of responsibility. The focus of the paper is on the expansion of academic cooperation with all liberal democratic states worldwide as well as the sometimes difficult processes of negotiation involved in maintaining collaboration with partner institutions in increasingly authoritarian states. The paper pays particular attention to the growing system rivalry with China. It says the aim should be to promote a practically oriented Foreign Academic Policy towards China in such a way as to make the most of the opportunities offered by a partnership-based exchange with Chinese institutions, their scholars and students while at the same time minimising risks. Such a policy must also be able to offer fresh strategies in preparation for scenarios involving the collapse of government, as is currently the case in Afghanistan. It also states that empowering German universities and research institutions is indispensable in order to ensure effective dialogue and cooperation also in difficult times.

“Our goal must be to maintain academic cooperation with as many countries as possible if we are to tackle global challenges such as climate change. In this connection, collaboration across the entire range of subjects and dialogue among students and scholars can make a valuable, confidence-building contribution – that applies in situations involving conflict, too,” said DAAD President Mukherjee. In view of this, the DAAD anticipates that the new Federal Government will further empower German academia in the context of foreign academic policy.