Diversity: the culture factor

The topic of the Eschborn Dialogue2010 was "Diversity: the culture factor".

Diversity is essential to development. Diversity is about having alternatives; it’s about openness and opportunities for growth. But what role does culture play in development? Culturally sensitive approaches have a particularly sustainable impact on a country or region’s economic, political and social development. For international cooperation to be successful, it must take into account the local culture. 450 guests from the realms of politics and business, the academic community, partner countries, and German and international development organisations met to exchange experience and ideas, drive debate and establish contacts.

It was high time that the spotlight was turned more on the issue of culture. This became apparent in all talks and discussions. Culture provides not only the framework within which development takes place. It is a very important influence in its own right. Culture is at once the area of action, the field of intervention and the sphere in which impacts must be achieved. Sustainable results are only possible if projects flourish and bear fruit within the respective culture. It is the cultural environment that determines whether or not innovations lead to change, for instance. Cultural potential and existing knowledge must be harnessed in order to strengthen the cultural self-determination of our partners and identify societal issues that make it possible for our partners to take a critical look at their own identity, generating impetus for change.

Eschborn Dialogue 2010 - documents

• Infoflyer of the Eschborn Dialogue 2010
  gtz-2010-Infoflyer-EschbornerFachtage-2010.pdf, 0.16 MB (german/english)
• Complete programme of the Eschborn Dialogue 2010
  gtz2010-Programm-Eschborner-Fachtage-2010.pdf, 2.18 MB (german/english)
• Eschborn Dialogue news sheet
  gtz-efta-zeitung-de-en-2010.pdf, 0.51 MB (german/english)


gtz-efta-2010-impressionen.pdf, 3.74 MB (english / german)