New GTZ akzente magazine, issue 2/2010

Diversity - Driver for Development

From the editorial:

If you drive along Entebbe Road in Uganda, which links the capital Kampala with Entebbe International Airport, you will see something typical of a great many African cities – a large number of tiny shops side by side each selling exactly the same products. Metal door manufacturers are followed by a row of carpenters who make bed frames or living room furniture. Every craftsman offers almost identical models. No diversity anywhere. It makes no difference to the customers where they make their purchase. It is more or less chance if a customer happens to purchase from any one specific manufacturer. If a carpenter can be found who produces bed frames in different sizes though, or a trader who offers a choice of different doors, they often attract more customers. Diversity is good for business – a more differentiated range of products acts as a catalyst for economic development.

The same applies to the development of a state. It is the option of choosing between different paths and different systems that opens the door for democratic development. Germany’s experience with a pluralistic system that sets store in a balance of interests and in processes of negotiation among various groups in society provides the framework for the international cooperation that GTZ implements on behalf of the German Government. Rather than leaving things to chance, we need to create a framework that makes choice possible. In so doing we will ensure that diversity gives the crucial impetus for development.

Download

• akzente 2/2010: Vielfalt - Impuls für Entwicklung
  German edition
  Complete pdf and single articles
• akzente 2/2010: Diversity - Driver for Development
  English edition
  Complete pdf and single articles