"Personal and positive" have been the guiding thoughts for this issue of
ad hoc international, the biannual
journal of the Network for international Affairs (NefiA) and the CSP Network for International
Politics and Co-Operation. Without losing the critical perspective we aimed at
focusing on small successes and personal experiences in contrast to a
predominantly negative press on Afghanistan.
Three articles have been selected from this current issue and been
translated for atlantic-community.org. Jan Techau comments on
the NATO strategy in Afghanistan,
whereas Florian Neutze reasons about the "Why" of Germany's military mission. Else Engel and Stephanie von Hayek spoke to Elke Jonigkeit, a German filmmaker
who has traveled and worked in Afghanistan
for more than twenty years.
You can download the entire issue of ad hoc international in the German original:
Afghanistan: Persönlich -
Positiv -Kritisch.
All authors are NefiA members, except for Else Engel who is a member of
the CSP-network. NefiA is the Alumni Network of the Mercator Fellowship on
International Affairs and the former Postgraduate Program in International
Affairs. It is comprised of a world-wide network of about 300 young Germans and
young Swiss experts with practical experience in international politics and
cooperation. Funded by Stiftung Mercator, it provides a forum for the members,
as well as the public, to share knowledge and experience.
Building on this expert knowledge NefiA first dealt with Afghanistan in
a panel discussion in 2007 on state building in Afghanistan. Since then NefiA
has closely monitored the region and decided to dedicate ad hoc's latest issue to Afghanistan.
The Mercator Fellowship on
International Affairs
The Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs contributes personnel
and ideas to tackle global challenges. Whether it is a question of effective
development policy in Afghanistan, the EU's migration and integration policy or
climate change adaption in coastal areas, each year 23 Mercator Fellows are not
afraid to address uncomfortable issues and to demand that the international
community of states does not shirk its obligations.
The Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs is a project jointly
run by Stiftung Mercator and the German National Academic Foundation in
cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office. Each year, it promotes 20
outstanding German postgraduates of all disciplines who aspire leadership
positions in international organizations and NGOs, especially in the areas of
foreign and security policy, international economic and financial relations and
in technical and developmental cooperation. Its goal is to qualify
up-and-coming managers, "globalists", to face up to the changed requirements of
the globalized, 21st century world.
During the course of a 13-month program, the fellows work in two or
three international organizations like the UN-system or NATO, in globally
active NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières or WWF or in multinational
corporations. The fellows choose their respective work placements during the
year based on their individual project outlines. Summer and winter schools on
international relations issues and key leadership skill development like
negotiation and communications training supplement the program. The fellowship
covers worldwide travel costs and includes a monthly stipend as well as grants
for language training and conferences.
The Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs also offers three
fellowships to university graduates from Switzerland, where the initiative is
run by Stiftung Mercator Switzerland and the Swiss Study Foundation in
cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Links for further information:
NefiA, Mercator Kolleg, and Studienstiftung
About Stiftung Mercator:
Stiftung Mercator is one of
Germany's largest foundations. It initiates and funds projects that promote
better educational opportunities in schools and universities. In the spirit of
Gerhard Mercator, it supports initiatives that embody the idea of
open-mindedness and tolerance through intercultural encounters, encouraging the
sharing of knowledge and culture. The foundation provides a platform for new
ideas to enable people - regardless of their national, cultural or social
background - to develop their personality, become involved in society and make
the most of the opportunities available to them. In this sense it is committed
to inspiring ideas. Stiftung Mercator takes an entrepreneurial, international
and professional approach to its work. It has a particular affinity with the
Ruhr area, the home of its founding family.
About
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes:
With around 11,000 scholars,
the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German National Academic Foundation)
is the largest and oldest organization sponsoring the academically gifted in
Germany. It is non-political and non-denominational. The Studienstiftung
promotes future excellence in the areas of science, business, public
administration, and the arts. Through its sponsorship program, it promotes
academic consolidation, interdisciplinary dialogue, a cosmopolitan world view
and international experience. The Studienstiftung is financially supported and
subsidized by the Federal Government of Germany, the German Federal States and
local authorities as well as by other foundations and a large number of private
donors. The Studienstiftung was founded in Dresden in 1925, dissolved in 1934
and re-founded as a registered association in Cologne in 1948. During its
existence, it has sponsored more than 50,000 exceptionally gifted students and
doctoral candidates. Each year, around 3,500 new scholars join the Foundation.
Stephanie von
Hayek is chief editor of ad hoc
international, Christina Hübers is managing director of NefiA, and Oliver
Haack is project manager at the Center for International Affairs, Stiftung
Mercator and head of the Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs.
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