🌍The #ShapingFuturesAcademy kicked off its Berlin Study Trip with an engaging programme exploring #PolicyMaking, #Governance and #LeadershipInPractice. Participants gained firsthand insights into how policies are developed, implemented and shaped through dialogue between government, research, political foundations and civil society.   📍 At the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), the group participated in an interactive Policy Lab facilitated by Serwah Prempeh (Africa Policy Research Institute). Working in small groups, participants analysed green technology interventions through a just transition lens, exploring how policies can become more inclusive, equitable and responsive to local realities.   📍 The afternoon continued with a keynote by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, followed by an interactive World Café. Participants engaged in small-group discussions with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Eszter Szedlacsek (European Policy Centre), Sabine Odhiambo (German Africa Foundation), Manuela Matthess (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) and Dr. Harry Konrad Hoffmann and Dr. Nicolai Goritz (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin). Together, they explored leadership and governance, European policy-making, Africa–Germany partnerships, the role of political foundations in shaping policy, and agricultural transformation in Africa and Europe.   📍 The following day, participants gained further insights into Germany's political institutions and governance before engaging in an exchange with Armand Zorn, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD). The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on political leadership, parliamentary work and contemporary policy challenges in Germany.   📍 The programme concluded at the Robert Bosch Academy, where participants joined interactive discussions with Richard von Weizsäcker Fellows, Mali Ole Kaunga, Kumi Naidoo and Sumantra Chakrabarti. Drawing on their diverse experiences in government, civil society, international development and community leadership, the Fellows shared perspectives on leadership, governance, activism and institutional change. Robert Bosch Stiftung   Throughout the study trip, participants connected theory with practice while deepening their understanding of governance, policy processes and Africa–Europe cooperation in shaping more just and sustainable futures.   Dr. Serwah Prempeh Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Eszter Szedlacsek Sabine Odhiambo Manuela Mattheß Harry Hoffmann Nicolai Goritz (né Schulz) Armand Zorn Mali OLE KAUNGA Kumi Naidoo Suma Chakrabarti Aissatou Ndèya Camara Sally Beth Joel Odiwuor Otieno Jana Baisch

My personal Substack. Click to read Unbroken Growth Cafe, a Substack publication. Launched 2 months ago.

Behind the reforms lies a deeper challenge: the courage to listen and lead By Erika Eliasson-Norris This morning, I opened the ECCTA Forum to a room full of governance professionals, each bringing the...