After participating in our programmes, people are more open in their outlook and more tolerant, and they start to act. Instead of shutting themselves off and putting up barriers, they discover what they have in common with others and become active advocates for international cooperation.

One of the ways that we achieve this is through exchange programmes for schoolchildren or for university students, or through our well-established volunteer services all over the world. We also use education projects here in Germany to teach this message and open people’s eyes. This work plays a part in developing empathy and a heightened awareness for global social justice.

But if we were to stop there, that would be too little. Understanding alone is not enough. The next step is crucial: taking action oneself. This is about experiencing a feeling of agency, and a growing sense of confidence that it is possible – as an individual – to make a difference. Our work here involves showing people concrete options for taking action. That is exactly what actively living democracy means: it means being actively involved – as an individual – in shaping the world around me. And my actions have a consequence for others. That is why education on development policy issues promotes democracy, peace and global social justice.

Education on development policy issues contributes significantly towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4.7, which is concerned with education for sustainable development. At the political level, our focus is on firmly establishing education for sustainable development in the structures of education planning, by means of what we call the “curriculum framework” for high-school students. In our federal education system, we need cohesion between the people working at all the different levels, whether in central government or at the federal level. I would like to take this opportunity to expressly thank everyone for the very successful cooperation with the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany. The curriculum framework is due to be officially adopted by the Conference of the Ministers of Education this autumn. I am therefore especially pleased that many of the people who were actively involved in this process are here with us today. Let me take this opportunity to already say a warm thanky you for your committed work.

In order for education on development policy issues to succeed at the national and the international level, you need the involvement of academia. Academic expertise is indispensable for developing evidence-based solutions for global challenges and fostering dialogue between nations. In the case of the curriculum framework which I just mentioned, for example, there is very close cooperation with academics. We have seen in the field of education on development policy issues that closely interlinking academic theory and actual practice is crucial when it comes to achieving sustainable results. However, scientific results also need to be shared, discussed and translated into political recommendations for action. In Germany we support this evidence-based policy dialogue, thereby also implementing the Dublin Declaration adopted by GENE. Today’s conference is a wonderful example of what this exchange can look like.

On the subject of conferences: the third Global Disability Summit recently took place here in Berlin in early April. The Disability Summit set an important example for strengthening global efforts to achieve more inclusion. The BMZ is committed to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies, working to enable access to justice and the rule of law for all, and strengthening effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here at the Humboldt Forum – a vibrant location for exchange and discussion in the heart of Berlin. Thank you, Professor Dorgerloh, that we are able to hold this event here. Global cooperation and crisis management can only happen when the past is taken into account; when all the perspectives involved are taken into account. In this regard it is most important that we address the historical and current challenges of colonial continuities and decolonisation, also here in this location. The injustices of the past continue to shape our global relations. In science and politics, we have a responsibility to reflect on this legacy and to discuss questions of justice and fairness in international cooperation. The Humboldt Forum especially is a place of exchange and debate, a place where we can learn with and from one another, and understand the perspectives of all involved, in order to lay the foundations for fairer cooperation.

To conclude, I would also like to warmly thank our partners at GENE, the University of Bamberg and Engagement Global. The conference would never have been possible without your untiring commitment. I wish us all an inspiring and productive conference. Thank you.