MAGAZINE#22 13th year | June 2017 year 13th Sustainability Magazine # 22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert LITTLE CLIMATE SAVERS On the farm, schoolchildren convert straw to biochar. Scientists in the lab show how this protects the climate.

REPORT A station for staying put A youth center strengthens democracy in a rural area ‒ and stimulates a whole town.

PORTRAIT Rooting out hunger Junior Professor Michaela Dippold researches ancient types of grain. Her aim: to wipe out hunger in Africa. ▶ bosch-stiftung.de ▶ twitter.com/BoschStiftung ▶ facebook.com/RobertBoschStiftung 18 21 o N 22 AT THE UWC IN NO WASTE FREIBURG Shopping with- Contents Sustainability in out packaging lessons EDITORIAL

RESEARCH FOR Hans Carl von Carlowitz was a commanding SUSTAINABILITY­ ­figure with a stern expression and an opulent 4 MAKING UP GROUND 26 FROM ONE SOURCE wig. As the chief administrator for mining FOR THE CLIMATE Health centers strengthen in the Ore Mountains, he was responsible Children fight global medical coverage in rural for keeping the Electorate of Saxony’s mines warming on the farm areas and metalworks supplied with wood. In 1713 Carlowitz published a book on forestry. When 10 COMPLETELY 28 THE ONLY PLACE TO GO referring to the long-term responsible use SUSTAINABLE? A youth center improves of wood as a resource, he used a new term: An overview town life sustainability. Carlowitz has been famous for this choice of words ever since. 35 The fact that the word is so frequently used 12 BACK TO THE ROOTS 32 A REMEDY FOR WIN-WIN today proves the importance and relevance Can long-forgotten POPULISM Protecting the environment strains of grain put a Essay by Ottmar and making money of the concept that Carlowitz described. stop to hunger in Africa? Edenhofer Nowadays, our understanding of sustainability 28 goes far beyond forestry. At the end of the 20th A STATION that invites century, the Brundtland Commission, which 16 SUSTAINABILITY USE OF OUR RESOURCES you to stay developed prospective development policies SUSTAINABLE IS OF ­EXISTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT­ on behalf of the United Nations, mentioned for IMPORTANCE 34 EDUCATION FOR the first time three dimensions of sustainability Interview with Christof  TOMORROW – ecological, social and economic – which are all Bosch Initiative helps schools dependent on each other and must therefore and teachers in always be considered jointly. Sub-Saharan countries We at the Robert Bosch Stiftung are IDEAS AND CONCEPTS particularly working on social and ecological FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY sustainability. Even if we didn’t use the term at 35 CAIRO'S STREETS ARE the time, social sustainability can be regarded 18 THE WHOLE WORLD PAVED WITH MONEY as a guiding principle throughout our work of IN THE GARDEN A scientist shows how the past 53 years. This has been joined in recent The UWC Robert Bosch energy from refuse years by a commitment towards ecological College teaches protects the environment sustainability sustainability. The endowment of a junior ­professorship in sustainable use of natural 4 12 resources in 2007 was just the beginning. 21 NUDE FOOD 38 IN THE FOUNDATION’S YOUNG SCIENTISTS RESEARCH Ecological sustainability­ has since become an A supermarket with FOCUS In the laboratory that fills you up and outside important topic in many of the foundation’s no packaging waste Focus areas of ­our projects, including and especially in Africa. funding work This issue tells you more about some of these projects. 24 PLANNING FOR AN 41 NEWS UNCERTAIN FUTURE News and more from the A discussion on the Stiftung Enjoy your read. sustainable city of tomorrow 43 IMPRINT

Yours,

UTA-MICAELA DÜRIG JOACHIM ROGALL Photos: Thomas Hansmann, Kathrin Harms, Martin Wagenhan, Tobias Bohm, Hadeer Mahmoud, Frank Schultze/Zeitenspiegel , Title: Martin Wagenhan Schultze/Zeitenspiegel Bohm, Hadeer Mahmoud, Frank Harms, Martin Tobias Thomas Hansmann, Kathrin Wagenhan, Photos:

2 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 3 Research for sustainability Research for sustainability

Taking samples “from the field and measuring the cleanliness of soil is more interesting than normal lessons. ” MAKING UP GROUND FOR THE CLIMATE One day in the mud, one day in the lab: as part of the “Our Common Future” project, the Gengenbach Gymnasium secondary school sends its students to an organic farm and the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg. There they learn how to make charcoal out of straw – and why it helps the environment.

by Markus Wanzeck

he morning sky is grey, the clouds good deal about why that is good for both the dripping with rain, the temperature sky and the soil. Today at Biohof Witt, they worthy of a refrigerator. Yet the will be in raincoats. And tomorrow, in lab farmer Mr. Witt knows how to warm coats, at the University of Applied Sciences up his guests, who have come down Offenburg. This unusual collaboration Tfrom the Black Forest to his organic farm on between the school and the university is a the outskirts of Offenburg. “There aren’t many project funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung hares any more,” he says. “They’re threatened as part of the “Our Common Future” program. with extinction. But the few that are left are The production ­of biochar is a sort of two-fold all right here – eating my organic lettuce.” The answer to both a ­pedagogic and an ecological students laugh. Laughing helps against the question. cold. Physical labor too. And fire. Nicole Diebold, research assistant at the And this March day holds plenty of all University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, that in store – the students will be learning ­formulates the educational question as how to make biochar. The 14 students of ­follows: “In their pre-school years, boys year 8 and 9 from the Marta-Schanzenbach and girls are still very enthusiastic. Later, at Gymnasium in Gengenbach will also learn a school, that tapers off. How can we change ▶ Appearances deceive: what’s burning here is escaping gas, not straw.4 The latterMagazine carbonizes #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 5 instead – into biochar. Research for sustainability

FURTHER PROJECTS:

Space pioneers Students of Vegesack Gymnasium are working together with the Institute of Space Exploration Systems of DLR Bremen to study how plant yields can be increased ▶ that?” The environmental question is LESSONS AT THE FIRE AND in the most resource-­ how we can make our farming practices IN THE LAB conserving manner possible. more sustainable in view of climate “Good soil should not be too sour The production The research should benefit change and increasingly intensive land or too dense,” explains Lüdecke. “It not only farmers on earth, use. “of biochar is a should also be able to hold nutrients but also space exploration: Daniel Kray, Professor of Process and water.” Like a sponge, biochar is sort of two-fold basic research to support a Engineering at the University of capable of holding water and nutrients mission to Mars! Applied Sciences Offenburg, and his answer to both a and dispensing them gradually over research assistants divide the students time,” explains Kray. It also loosens pedagogic and Good influence into three groups. The first one up the soil. It can even bind heavy In a social science project prepares the steel boiler in which the metals like cadmium, chromium and an ecological between the Karl-von-Closen miracle charcoal will be created. A sec- copper and thus keep them out of the question. Gymnasium in Eggenfelden ond one gathers the requisite substrate: food chain. “Moreover,” adds Lüdecke, and the University of Inns- straw, hay, vegetable waste. The third “biochar offers space for the growth of bruck, students are studying group gets a bucket, a huge hammer, a microorganisms.” Just how it achieves whether environmental soil probe – and a task that seemingly all of these positive things is then a ­protection projects with has little to do with charcoal: Dennis, matter ­­for the lessons at the fire and in ” youths also help change at- Justin, Yannik and Shane are charged the lab to demonstrate to students. titudes in their families. The with collecting the soil samples. Hands-on While group three continues to chicken: a results will be published. great way make holes in the field, the other two MORE INTERESTING THAN LESSONS to get kids groups have set up the coal boiler, filled Hydrogen in public Together with Kray’s assistant interested in it with substrate and ignited it. The the natural ­transportation ­Esmeralda Lüdecke, the boys tramp sciences. straw and other materials are burning Students of the Carl-Frie- off to the field behind a greenhouse for bright. Or so it seems, at any rate. But drich-Gauss Gymnasium in growing parsley; the sloppy ground that’s not the case. “Practically none of Frankfurt (Oder) work with sloshes and slurps as if it would What is the carbon and water content it burns,” says Professor Kray. “Almost scientists from IHP – Innova- ­swallow them up the next instant. of the soil? And what is its pH value? all of it carbonizes.” As the students tions for High Performance “We have to fill up this bucket!”, calls “Taking samples from the field and continuously pile on more straw and Microelectronics to research Lüdecke through the drizzle. “The measuring how clean the soil is ‒ that’s hay and plant waste, the biomass lacks whether hydrogen-powered important thing is that you don’t take much more interesting than normal the oxygen to burn. All that’s really vehicle use is technically samples parallel to the tractor tracks, lessons,” says Shane, the student team’s burning is the escaping gas: at up to suitable and economical for but diagonally to them.” The youths probe-turner. The natural sciences can 871 degrees Celsius, as the students public transport. don’t have to be asked twice: Shane be captivating, and are also extremely ­measure using a pyrometer – a sort of promptly drills the soil probe into the relevant for everyday life and our en- laser pistol. What’s left over is solid More than 600 students ground. Dennis gives it a forceful whack vironment. Conveying this experience carbon. It’s just before twelve when from 22 schools have taken with the hammer. Yannik scrapes the is one of the goals of the “Our Common the soil sample group returns from the part in 19 projects since soil sample and half a worm from the Future” program. And that simply field bearing eleven kilograms of soil. 2015 and have worked probe. Justin logs the results in a list. cannot be done with a PowerPoint It’s a good amount to work with – after together­ with 80 Later, and tomorrow in the lab, the presentation in a heated classroom. It lunch. First the coal boiler becomes a ­researchers from 20 The students take students will determine the type of soil: has to be out here, with rain in your face soil samples. ­barbecue: steaks, cutlets and vegetari- ­scientific ­institutions. fine clay, rough sand – or maybe silt? and up to your heels in mud. an sausages land on the grill. ▶

6 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 7 Plenty of space for microorganisms: the surface of one gram of biochar covers 300 square meters.

The cooperation between “school and university fosters a sense of approachability. ”

▶ “Operating a biochar oven is extremely simple,” says Esmeralda Lüdecke. “But In the ­university we’re process engineers. We would lab, like to improve a few things. Using the students waste heat, for example.” The energy examine their self- question is one of the discipline’s produced favorite issues. biochar. “For us, it’s more about the way there than the final product,” explains Bernd Spangenberg, Professor of project. The collaboration aims to BIOCHAR CAN MITIGATE THE mini-caves. A single gram of biochar contained in hay, for example, would Chemistry and Dean of the Process create a lasting impact by encouraging ­EFFECTS OF CLIMATE WARMING has an almost ­unimaginable 300 quickly be released into the air as CO₂ Technology department, to his young more students to pursue a career in DOUBLY Shortly after the last sausage is taken square metres surface area. That’s a through decomposition or digestion guests during their tour of the lab on the natural sciences following their SUSTAINABLE off the grill, the barbecue fun comes to lot of space for water and nutrients, if it were used for feed or composted. the second day. “We ask ourselves, secondary school years – and thus, in an end. Now begins the extinguishing ­microorganisms and heavy metals. When carbonized, however, the how we can generate something using a second step, contribute to making For over 2,500 years people­ of the fire, the quenching: water is Their second secret – that carbon is captured long term. “This is less energy and creating less toxic our economy and way of life more have been using plant-based pumped into the oven from the bottom. they’re good for the environment – is ultimately the only way to keep it out of material?” sustainable. charcoal to improve soil, for Steam at up to 700 degrees pours out demonstrated by Professor Kray with the atmosphere permanently,” explains The goal of this two-day excursion It’s no accident that Elge is the one instance in the Amazon basin and slowly extinguishes the embers. an illustration that he brought along to Kray. “The biochar keeps the carbon on is to transmit an impression to students to act as the bridge-builder between the and Indonesia. It ­increases “The steam essentially washes the the farm. It shows the earth’s carbon the field soil for 50 or even 100 years. of how process engineering can make a school and the university. Elge used to the nutritional content of the biochar out,” explains Kray. “What cycle: the carbon exchange between And, on top of this, it does the farmer genuine contribution to mitigating en- be a molecular biologist, conducting soil while promoting plant remains is a carbon framework – pure the ground, air and animal and plant some good as well.” vironmental problems. The focus is to basic genome research at the Max health. At the same time, the active carbon.” worlds would be relatively balanced promote sustainability in two different Planck Institute. But ultimately he carbon binds large amounts This is where the students learn – if people were not simultaneously ways.“First, the cooperation between decided to pursue a teaching career – a of CO₂ in the ground for more the first secret of biochar: its surface ensuring that seven billion tons of the school and the university fosters a good decision, looking back: “This than 1,000 years. Accord- is ­truly miraculous. In the university carbon were being pumped into the sense of approachability,” explains Dr. is a great opportunity to impart the ing to model calculations, ­up lab, the young researchers will have air annually as CO₂. The imbalance is Markus Wanzeck remembers his Stephan Elge, who teaches chemistry, scientific knowledge.” At Gengenbach the chance to see the lignin, the growing larger all the time. One of the chemistry lessons as bone dry. to twelve percent of annu- So he enjoyed the biochar biology, and the natural sciences and Gymnasium, he has successfully led al greenhouse gas emissions carbonized wood skeleton, under the consequences is climate warming. ­production at the farm all the technology at Gengenbach Gymnasium the “Jugend forscht” youth science could be offset in this manner. two ­hundredfold ­magnification of a The biochar can at least minimize more. He wouldn’t have minded some things

He is co-initiator of the biochar student research group for several years. Martin Wagenhan Photos: microscope – an intricate system of this effect somewhat. The carbon being a bit drier, though.

8 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 9 LIMITS TO RESOURCES COMPLETELY SUSTAINABLE? Source: Lexicon of Sustainability End of oil reserves The term is omnipresent − in everyday life, in the media and in politics. Yet, how much do we Although new extraction technologies Deforestation can delay their exhaustion, oil reserves Huge tracts of land are deforested really endeavor to achieve environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically will nevertheless probably run low worldwide for timber, raw material sustainable development? And what have we achieved to date? One thing is clear: our planet before the century is out. extraction and grazing. cannot cope with the burden we are placing upon it. An overview. Ocean overacidification Corals and algae suffer in particular – Extinction with wide-reaching consequences for Up to 130 animal and plant the entire oceanic food chain. species become extinct daily. EXCERPT FROM UN GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Rising sea levels Source: UN Soil erosion Melting Arctic ice threatens entire islands, coastal Soil degradation, overgrazing and cities and countries like the Netherlands. deforestation destroy huge areas every year. CO₂ emissions No poverty One of the main causes of global warming. If the global temperature rises Goal: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. more than 2°C, uncontrollable consequences for the planet could follow. THE ENVIRONMENT Zero hunger OVERSHOOT DAY Goal: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. We’re living beyond our means ‒ and it's becoming more extreme all the time: in 2016, humanity had consumed all natural resources that the earth can reproduce in a year by August 8. In 1987, that day didn't come until December 19. Good health and well-being Source: Federal Environment Agency Goal: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at every age. 1987 Quality education POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY Goal: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

2016 Peace, justice and strong institutions Goal: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. CONSUMPTION MEAT CONSUMPTION CO₂ FOOTPRINT The average German eats roughly a kilogram of To limit global warming to 2 °C meat per week. Comparison of the required we would have to radically reduce agricultural land for different foods (per kg): the annual per capita CO₂ emissions.

POLITICAL MILESTONES Cattle Germany Source: Federal Environment Agency (BMUB) 30.9 m2 Pigs 20.0 m2 1992 Earth Summit in Rio: sustainble 95 First international agreement on sustaiable 11.6 t Worldwide climate change (Agenda 21). sustainable ARTICLES OF Eggs Chickens 1995 sustanblesustainable CLOTHING 12.4 m2 18.1 m2 1st Climate Change sustainable owned by the average German, Fruit

Conference in Berlin sustainablesustainable not including underwear, 0.7 m2 sustainable sustainable sustainable sustainable amount to 5.2 billion. Every fifth 1997 Potatoes 6.8 t piece lies unused in the closet. 3rd Climate Change Founder of the 90 68 0.5 m2 Conference in Kyoto: sustainability concept Vegetables Goal First emissions thresholds set percent times 0.3 m2 In 1713, Hans Carl von Carlowitz, chief mining for industrialized countries of DAX companies how often the term “sustainable” administrator in Saxony, first formulated the (Kyoto Protocol). produced their own occurs in the current coalition Sources: Federal Environment Agency, concept that only so much wood should be Greenpeace, Ökologie & Landbau 2.5 t sustainability reports by agreement between the German harvested as could grow back. 2009 2014. political parties CDU/CSU and SPD. 15th Climate Change Source: Lexicon of Sustainability Conference, Copenhagen: Source: Federal Agency for Source: Federal Agency for Negotiations for a follow-up Civic Education (BPB) Civic Education (BPB) agreement to the Kyoto Protocol are unsuccessful. 2015 21st Climate Change SUSTAINABILITY IN THE Conference in Paris: CONSTITUTION Successor agreement to Kyoto; goal of limiting global warming SWITZERLAND BHUTAN ECUADOR BOLIVIA Four states have defined sustainable to less than 2°C is formulated. Source: Lexicon of Sustainability development as a constitutional objective. C3 Visual Lab Illustration:

10 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung BRIEF BIO

Dr. Michaela Dippold studied geo-ecology and biochemistry at the University of Bayreuth. Raised on a farm in Bavaria, the 34-year-old has ­­­ re­searched and taught since March 2017 as a Robert Bosch Junior Professor in the Department of Crop Science at the Georg August University of Göttingen. BACK TO THE ROOTS Why do traditional types of grain grow so much better in Africa than modern, high- yield varieties? Robert Bosch Junior Professor Michaela Dippold looks underground to find the answer.

by Alexandra Wolters

eception is all in a day’s work for natural scientist Michaela Dippold, 34, and she’s very good at it. She tricks wheat and millet plants into thinking they are growing somewhere in Sudan Dor Kenya, rather than in the middle of the German city of Göttingen. And it works. Stalks of African grain grow tall in climate chambers at the city’s Georg August University. As a geoecologist and biochemist, Dippold works with ancient strains that used to grow south of the Sahara before being replaced by higher- yield variants from Europe. “At the time, no one considered that the new crops had been developed for good soil and fertilizer, and not for the dry and nutrient-poor farmland in Sub-Saharan Africa,” she explains as she rolls her swivel chair through the 25°C heat of the climate chambers and takes down a couple of pictures from a shelf. ▶ Michaela Dippold’s climate chamber makes these sorghum plants think they12 are Magazinein Africa. #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Foundation Sustainability Magazine #22 13 Research for sustainability Research for sustainability

OTHER JUNIOR PROFESSORS

The Robert Bosch Stiftung has supported sustainability science in Germany for ten years by way of junior professorships in “Sustainable use of natural resources.” The call for proposals is directed at researchers from a variety of disciplines. Here, we present three junior professors: identify them. “What makes it possible for Technology is wild sorghum to grow five times taller in more important Africa than our modern strains?” That is the for Dippold’s team than a question being explored by Dippold, a soil green thumb. scientist raised on a farm in the Bavarian town of Bamberg. For this research goal, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is sponsoring the junior professor in “Sustainable use of Nina Farwig natural­ resources” 2017. Thanks to a grant the chamber, she marks elements such of €1 million euros, the junior scholar will A biologist and 2008 Junior as water, phosphorus, and nitrogen with be able to build an independent workgroup ­Professor, Farwig studied isotopes and traces their paths with a mass over the next five years and continue to ­protection strategies for forest spectrometer. advance her research agenda. ­fragments in South Africa. One of How does the plant change the rhi- It all happens in the The focus of her research is on the the ­measures she developed is still zosphere? Which substances does it give “ rhizosphere. How rhizosphere, a layer of soil between two being applied intensively today: the up, and which does it take in? Dippold and three millimeters thick located directly use of ­beehives on agricultural land already has a theory. She taps impatiently well a plant grows on the roots of the plant. She describes this in the vicinity of forested areas. on a transparent box in which a wild sor- contact zone as a hotspot where most of the ghum stem is sprouting. “There is evidence is decided here. processes in the soil take place and where that plants can significantly improve water plants exchange carbon for nutrients: absorption by excreting mucilage.” The “It all happens in the rhizosphere. How substance she is referring to is a kind of gel well a plant grows is decided here.” As a that enables a water film to form between ” result, the area poses many questions and the roots and soil particles even during ­challenges for the geoecologist regarding Thomas Müller severe droughts. She also suspects that the ▶ The photos are of grain fields in Sudan. sustainability. Why are some plants suc- old strains enter into partnerships with Several depict plants with withered leaves cessful here? And can other strains learn to A biologist and 2013 Robert Bosch fungus networks, which enables them to and meager ears. These are the high-yield do the same? Junior Professor, Müller studies be supplied with phosphorus. migratory patterns of gazelles What makes it strains from Europe. The other pictures Once she completes her research in are of wild sorghum. Sorghum is a millet THE SOIL ARRIVES BY CONTAINER SHIP in Mongolia to determine how the climate chambers, Dippold will test her “ economic developments can be possible for wild plant native to Africa. It is much smaller, yet Behind the thick doors of the climate cham- findings on fields in Sudan and Kenya. If healthy and strong, despite or because bers, country-specific climatic and lighting ­reconciled with the preservation of her findings are confirmed, the next task sorghum to grow of its size. conditions can be simulated thanks to tech- ecosystems. His current findings will be to develop fast, inexpensive tests five times taller in “Many plants that are native to Sub-­ nology which continually inspires Dippold. show that the economy and that enable cultivators to immediately Saharan Africa have developed strategies But simulation is not an option where soil infrastructure require space, but determine whether her new hybrids have Africa than our that help them flourish in especially dry is concerned. “We need the original,” she this space must be crossable by the survival strategies that are needed to modern strains? and nutrient-poor soils.” Dippold speaks says. And sure enough, one of her first acts animals. thrive in Sub-Saharan Africa. quickly and energetically. The subject as junior professor was to order 300 kilo- By the way: Dippold admits that she is close to her heart. After all, the goal is grams of soil per site: sandy, nutrient-poor only has a green thumb for crops and to feed the rapidly growing population soil from Sudan and iron-rich clay soil from cactuses are the only plants capable of of ­Africa. But local types of grain are not Kenya. surviving in her office. “Other decorative ” enough to make this possibility a reality; As soon as the soil arrives on container plants don’t stand a chance with me. I their yields are too low. ships, it goes straight to the plants. This is Asia Khamzina always forget to water them.” the practitioner who always has gumboots WHAT EXACTLY IS TAKING PLACE in her car so she can work in a research A hydrotechnologist and 2009 IN THE SOIL? field or help out on her parents' farm at any Junior Professor, Khamzina found Alexandra Wolters was impressed not The solution is to cultivate high-yield time. Instead of work boots and a tractor, a way to stop the desertification strains that can make use of the adaptation her work in the climate chambers calls for only by Dippold’s research. The jour- on the Aral Sea while also creating nalist also received a few gardening mechanisms of the old strains. But to thin rubber gloves and tweezers. To find additional benefits. She forested tips from the soil expert. For example, ­accomplish this, we need to know more out what is taking place in the rhizosphere exhausted dry areas that are she suggested planting garlic along-

about those capabilities and be able to of the grain plants that are growing in Schultze/Zeitenspiegel Frank Photos: now being used for foresting side carrots to keep pests at bay. and agriculture.

14 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 15 Research for sustainability

BRIEF BIO

Dr. Christof Bosch has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees “ of the Robert Bosch Stiftung SUSTAINABLE USE OF since April 2017. A member of the In view of major global challenges Board since 1997, he is dedicated breathing in air that may be polluted such as war and terror worldwide, to ensuring that the foundation and dirty. In reality the individual OUR RESOURCES IS OF it seems almost a luxury to address tackles sustainability issues. can only make a small contribution the problem of sustainability. Is the to ­sustainability through his or her subject a luxury in your opinion? decisions. We all have to pay as much EXISTENTIAL IMPORTANCE Christof Bosch: It is a fact that we are attention as possible to this contribu- increasingly reaching the limits of our tion. And that goes especially for people natural resources for meeting people’s global population growth would never- whose decisions have a big impact. needs. Sustainable use of our resources theless remain extremely unsustainable Dr. Christof Bosch, 58, forester and grandson of Robert Bosch, is therefore of existential importance. for many years to come. The goal is Why is it so important to you that the ” However, we often take only an interest therefore to shape development rather foundation is strongly committed to runs a farm with around 100 cattle in the Alpine foothills of in ‘soft factors’ of sustainability, such than impede it. It is true that our use of sustainability? Bavaria. In this interview he explains why sustainability is a as the aesthetics of the landscape, once the biosphere is changing faster and C. Bosch: Scarcity of resources, for question of our priorities and is of existential importance we meet our basic needs. But securing faster, but change has been the case example, drinking water shortages for health, education, and peace. those basic needs in the long term is ever since human development began. and fertile soil loss, along with climate precisely the main goal of sustainability. Even hunter-gatherers did not really change, are threatening health and Only from our relatively comfortable have a sustainable lifestyle, because peace even today. For a long time, by Julia Rommel vantage point can it look as if sustain- they lost their nutritional resources in Germans could act as if these concerns ability is a luxury problem. many areas due to overhunting. didn’t affect us directly, but migration to Europe from North Africa can partly What role does technology play Many people have the feeling that be attributed to these causes. Education in sustainability? sustainable behavior primarily is predicated on stable societies, and C. Bosch: The question of sustainability means giving things up, for example, it becomes more difficult when envi- first arises due to technological driving cars less often or eating less ronmental changes in distant regions progress. The subject only arose once meat. How can this impression be of the world worsen drastically. The people started to interfere with nature, overcome? same goes for peace. That’s why sus- for example, by farming or developing C. Bosch: This is obviously only the tainable development is fundamental to weapons that could be used to case for a society that lives in abun- ­orienting the work of the foundation. exterminate animals. And the process dance. And upon closer examination it continues at an increasingly rapid pace. becomes clear that this way of thinking Your grandfather Robert Bosch As interference with the biosphere concerns individual purchasing placed heavy emphasis on making increases due to technical progress and decisions. If I want to take a trip around economical use of resources. He also technology, it becomes more and more the world and can afford it, then I will established the farm that you operate important to consider the sustainability actually take the trip. By contrast, there today. Are you taking his ideas about of that interference. Technology is only are other goods that can only be owned sustainability further? useful when it does not destroy our collectively. If, for example, I buy a new C. Bosch: My grandfather didn’t use livelihoods. However, every land usage heater that causes less air pollution the word sustainability; at the time, it system is technical, whether traditional rather than traveling the world, I do was a concept used only in forestry. His or ultramodern, which is why each sus- not automatically receive the clean air I dedication to agriculture had a great tainability problem can only be solved helped make possible. I only get it when deal to do with his desire to show that, with the help of technology. other people do the same thing. It’s only when faced with the threat of famine, because we fail to consider how our Germany was capable of supplying itself Sustainability is often set in decisions affect society as a whole that from regional sources. In this sense, opposition to technology ... we get the impression that sustainable his suggestion was obviously sus- C. Bosch: It is a common behavior is a question of giving things tainable, in part because his goal was ­misunderstanding that sustainability is up. The real question is what is more to achieve long-term stability. The synonymous with maintaining the status important to me. environmentally friendly farm that my quo. This cannot be the case, because family operates today is modest and we live in an evolving world in which Or how we can all benefit together? cannot be compared to the model farm the only constant is change. As a result, C. Bosch: Exactly. To return to the he built back then. But I definitely think sustainability has to adapt to evolving previous example, if I do decide not that if my grandfather were running conditions. If we were to attempt to to travel, I haven’t necessarily gained a farm today, he would go in a similar

Photo: Robert Thiele, Illustration: C3 Infographic bring technological progress to a halt, anything, because I’m sitting at home, direction.

16 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 17 In her language, there is no word for ­sustainability: Cecilia from South Sudan.

It becomes apparent how the environment“ and politics, THE WHOLE technology and nature WORLD IN THE are intertwined.

GARDEN and ­recognizing the” dimensions of things are the learning objectives of the UWC in ­Freiburg. Sustainability is practically At the United World College in Freiburg, young everywhere here in the special Creativity adults from 90 countries study for the International ­Activity ­Service (CAS) program in which students monitor the growth of mangold Baccalaureate. And explore the meaning of plants in their self-built greenhouse tunnel using sensors. It can also be found in the sustainability as they go. school’s internal competition to ­determine which dormitory is most economical in its by Kirsten Wörnle use of energy. Even the food served in the cafeteria is inspired by a commitment to sustainability. hen they arrived at UWC here are not merely gifted, but have made Robert Bosch College, the an impression through their dedication NATURAL AFFINITY FOR students were asked to and ­intelligent questioning of the world. ­ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES write down what sustain- ­Another ­focus in Freiburg: “sustainability.” Learning with both heart and hands is one ability is in their languag- of the school’s core principles. As soon Wes: “borekraftighet” wrote Sol Marie from ENERGY SAVING COMPETITION as one digs a little deeper, as here in the Norway – “bearing force.” Mohammad from “Sustainability is an abstract concept,” says monastery garden, the bigger-picture Palestine wrote “Istidameh,” “be depend- Tobias Kellner. “Many people think it has connections are revealed: bees like the ent on oneself”; Yokli from Cambodia wrote something to do with saving energy.” The ones flitting around the garden make a con- “Chey r pheab,” meaning “to keep forever.” UWC sustainability coordinator stands in tribution to the agricultural sector worth Two years later they sit in their ESS – front of the gates of the former Carthusian billions by pollinating plants and their “Environmental Systems and ­Societies” – monastery that is now home to the school. dying off affects humans directly. Planting class where they study a combination of In front of him, the south-facing hill with the potatoes in the garden could ultimately natural and social sciences and grapple school’s garden descends steeply; the river feed more people than ­planting soy beans with technological and societal questions­ Dreisam glistens in the valley below. “Sus- as feed for livestock. The ­chocolate we all related to environmental protection. tainability means doing things in a way that love to eat contains cacao and children ­Today, they are tasked with developing would theoretically make them continue often have to take part in the cacao planta- ­scenarios for dealing with climate change. forever,” he explains. And: “We will never tion harvest. Suddenly, the whole world is ­Imelda from Benin shows a film: her home be a sustainable society if people alienate here in the garden, and one grasps how the city of Cotonou under water; she herself themselves from nature.” Which is why the environment and politics, power and pow- ­waded through the morass and later spent new students visit the former monastery erlessness, technology and nature are all three weeks in the hospital. Mohammad garden – a 2,000-square meter ­paradise that intertwined. “We want the students to be- shows photos from the Gaza strip, where monks began tending some 500 years ago – come aware that everything is connected,” practically no one has access to drinking­ already in the first week of school. Vegetable says Tobias Kellner, “and give them a sense ­water; wastewater and fertilizers have plants, herbs, medicinal plants and flowers of the magnitude of individual actions.” ­contaminated the groundwater. sway in the breeze; in the center there is a “I didn’t realize how great the impact Imelda, Mohammad and the others are fountain, and a stone wall ­surrounds the of our actions is,” says Bayu. The Indone- students at UWC Robert Bosch College in grounds. Kellner likes to ask the students sian has always has a natural affinity for Freiburg – one of 17 international secondary how many people this patch of soil could ­environmental issues. But he didn’t always schools worldwide where young people can nourish. All 200 students? Most think that have a clear understanding backed up with study for the International Baccalaureate would be feasible. “No,” he then explains, hard figures. Bayu opens his laptop and for two years and practice mutual under- “it would be enough for two families at shows a graphic with several large squares

standing in their daily lives. The students the most.” Understanding connections in red, yellow and green. ▶ Hansmann Photos:Thomas

18 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 19 How many people can this patch of soil feed?

▶ What looks like a cubist­ painting is in fact the ward the environment.” So he applied for travel activities­ of the students translated the job of headmaster in ­Freiburg, where into their CO2 emissions. Behind each square he ­encourages kids to think critically is their individual­ footprint on the planet. and make the diversity of voices heard. “Things are always lively in geography,” GEOGRAPHY, A LIVELY SUBJECT confirms ­Cecilia from South Sudan. “What “If we want to keep global warming under are they ­talking about?” she and her fellow 1.5 degrees Celsius, we can’t pump more African students sometimes ­wonder when than two tons of CO2 per person per year their western classmates present ­ sustain- into the atmosphere,” says Bayu. That’s ability ideas. Electricity from solar cells? roughly the amount his 14-hour flight “We have a lot of sun, but no money for UWC ROBERT­ home to Indonesia would cost, he discov- ­solar panels.” Hydropower? It might work, BOSCH ered ­before the last summer holiday. So but the infrastructure is ­lacking. “Many COLLEGE­ he ­decided to undertake the return jour- ­sustainability ­standards and ideas ­simply ney to UWC overland. He pored over maps, don’t work with ­developing countries,” The United World College timetables, and ferry connections and says Cecilia. is an international education- typed a meticulous plan into an Excel table. One example: the UWC cafeteria has al movement that ­prepares ­Travel data for the 24-day, 15,000 kilometer introduced two meat-free days per week. ­students from around the ­journey from Jakarta to Freiburg ­included Meat is particularly prized in ­Cecilia’s world for the International 6,000 kilometers on the Trans-Siberian­ home country. “We don’t have ­intensive Baccalaureate ­irrespective of Railway. “What I learned on the journey,” livestock farming, and therefore no land their ­financial means. The only says Bayu, “is that we’re all the same, just in is ­destroyed by animal breeding.” Meat is German UWC was opened in different incarnations.” the ­cornerstone of her diet. She takes part ­Freiburg in 2014 and is funded “What might a sustainable society in the meat-free days, but with a heavy by the Deutsche Stiftung UWC look like, and how would one live in it?” heart. The most important point, ­however: and the ­Robert Bosch Stiftung. ­Questions like these captivated headmas- South Sudan is racked by ­civil war and Sustainability coordinator ter Laurence Nodder. The South African ­famine. “Sustainability simply doesn’t fit ­Tobias Kellner and student spent nearly his entire professional life with this reality,” says the young ­woman. Bayu (above) work ­together in fighting against Apartheid and discrim- ­“People are struggling to survive; they the school’s garden. ination by means of education. “When I need peace, not sustainability.” When turned 50, I asked myself: What will my she went home last summer, she wanted grandkids think of me? It occurred to to tell people about her new knowledge. Kirsten Wörnle was impressed me that they would ­certainly not be able But there are no words in her language for by the global knowledge with to ­understand how blind and self-ab- ­“climate change,” “greenhouse effect,” and which the students discussed sorbed our generation is in its attitude to- “sustainability.”­ climate change.

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NUDE FOOD Three years ago, Milena Glimbowski founded a packaging-free Xgrocery shop. When the project started to test her limits, the “Changemaker” exchange with other social entrepreneurs gave her new energy. Her idea has long since inspired many imitators.

by Bastian Henrichs

Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 21 Ideas and concepts for a sustainable society

FACTS The shop is a hit – Milena Glimbovski (left) is now working on new ideas for avoiding waste. FOOD & PACKAGING projects. Glimbowski spontaneously gave a talk about her franchise idea and why she had ultimately discarded it. She listened as others explained how they had managed to achieve healthy growth. “Seeing that there are people my age 18% who have a ­similar mindset, represent of all food in Germany ends the same values and have already pulled up as waste. A majority of the something off impressed and motivated waste could be avoided through me,” she says. She’s still in contact with prudent shopping practices. many of the participants and still uses the network for ­exchanging ideas. At this point, Glimbowski is seldom in the shop; a branch manager handles €235 the daily business. With its stuccoed is the value of the food thrown ceilings and pretty tiles behind the away by the average German counter, the room is reminiscent of an each year. old grocery shop. The customers take later, Glimbowski, 27, is sitting at a huge their time and buy consciously. They kitchen table made of black-painted bring their own containers, jars and beams in her office in a Berlin courtyard jute sacks or borrow some, fill up with 96% building, sipping tea. It wouldn’t be what they want in the desired quantity of mandatory-deposit quite right to say that the five days with and pay by weight. In addition to the disposable packaging is other social innovators from around the saved packaging waste, it also has the returned to the automated world changed her life. But they did give effect that customers are not obliged to return machines – and thus her fresh ideas, motivation and energy buy pre-defined amounts and therefore stays in the raw material cycle. to develop her project during a difficult throw away less food. The assortment is phase. not restricted exclusively to food. A total The idea for the shop was hatched of 650 products is sourced whenever ilena Glimbowski and researched producers six days a in a girlfriend’s kitchen in 2012. They possible from the region and represents was exhausted week. And now: workshops, talks and loved to cook and often did so, but were the most organic alternative available. and ready for a networking with others? She wasn’t always troubled by the huge amounts There are dentifrices, detergents to mix ­magazine dedicated to waste preven- holiday on the planning to take part in the entire of plastic waste. They wrote a ­business yourself, flower pots made of coconut tion and environmental­ protection. In She noticed how evening when five-day event – the only thing she knew plan and gathered €110,000 of start fibers and the books to match: Living web seminars, she explains how to open “hard it is to run a she, without about it was that it was a gathering of ­capital through a crowdfunding ­project. Better Without Plastic and Happy Living a ­packaging-free retail business, and has much in the way young social ­innovators from Europe, They opened a shop near ­Görlitzer Without Waste. also opened an online shop. retail business. of expectations or desire to attend, went Turkey, North Africa and Asia. ­Bahnhof in Berlin and dreamed of a Next she wants to integrate her own Mto the opening event of the Change- franchise business. DOZENS OF IMITATORS products – naturally without packaging­ – Not to mention one makerXchange program of Ashoka THE IDEA CAME TO HER WHILE When her business partner Her small “Original Unverpackt” into the product line-ups of other retail­ dedicated to Deutschland and the Robert Bosch COOKING backed out of the business after a ­(original, without packaging) shop has businesses. And when everything gets producing no waste Stiftung. She’d been through a year full But the evening went differently than year, Glimbowski wondered how she ­become a brand. There are already to be a bit too much and confidence in of ups and downs. She had opened up expected. She learned about projects by could manage it all alone. The meeting ­dozens of imitators in Germany, and ­herself and her ideas flags, she pulls if at all possible. a grocery shop in Berlin-Kreuzberg. It young people from Sweden, Egypt and with like-minded young people at even one in Brazil. She has shown the out a letter that she received after the was the first one in Germany without Portugal that were aimed at influencing ­ChangemakerXchange came at the shop to managers from large corpora- ChangemakerXchange meeting. In it, the plastic packaging; a shop in which nuts and changing things in their fields. They perfect moment. The young people tions; designers wanted to know what participants wrote what they like about and noodles, fruits and flour, lentils were fresh and full of enthusiasm – just who come ­together multiple times the kitchen of the future might look Glimbowski and her company and why and licorice hang in large containers as Glimbowski had been when she each year at different locations have like. Glimbowski is now developing new she should definitely keep going. on the wall. But shortly after opening, opened her grocery shop. “There one thing in common: they work ­ideas for her primary concern: avoid- ” her ­business partner backed out and was such a great atmosphere the first on innovative solutions for social, ing waste and packaging-free shopping. Glimbowski was faced with the realiza- evening that I just decided to go along environmental or societal problems in She regards it as part of the education- tion of how difficult it is to run a retail after all,” says Glimbowski. “In Potsdam their respective environments. At the al work that is so close to her heart. Bastian Henrichs met Milena business. Not to mention one dedicated there was food, drinks and music. There exchange meetings, they deepen their “Many people know that plastic is bad, Glimbowski for the first time in 2014. At the time, the “nude food” to producing no waste and with all was no one there that I knew, but it was knowledge and further develop their but few people have actually heard shop was still just an idea. He was organic products. She stood behind the the same for everyone. The atmosphere initiatives and business models. They of the many solutions out there,” she delighted to see that it has since turned into

counter, did the books, placed orders was just great.” Today, almost two years Harms Kathrin Photos: network and, ideally, even start joint says. So last year she started an online a functioning business.

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ROOM TO PLAY

Shaping Urban Transformation ‒ this is the motto of the Robert Bosch “Vanessa Carlow: Stiftung ROOM TO Planning is as PLAY (SPIELRAUM) PLANNING FOR project, in which dynamic as the interdisciplinary teams course of a lifetime. are supported in their efforts to ­develop AN UNCERTAIN clever ideas for a sus- ” tainable future in cities – and beyond. Initial on how to proceed: How can we make concepts like the one the city as sustainable as possible, FUTURE introduced here were despite the uncertain future? developed in fall 2016, The architect and urban planner Vanessa Miriam 13 of which ­qualified How does that work in practice since for a ­prototyping we can’t see the future? Carlow and political scientist Dagmar Schulze phase. Selected­ S. Heuling: One good practice, for exam- Heuling joined forces with others under the research projects will ple, is to think in scenarios. One goal of be ­implemented from our project is to assist decision-makers auspices of the SPIELRAUM program to develop a summer 2017 onwards. with recommendations. concept for sustainable urban development for the Hasn’t that already become a wide- future. A challenge considering the uncertainty spread practice in German government around how cities are developing. agencies? Are other countries further ahead in this regard? V. Carlow: The employees in the by Eva Wolfangel senate administration are well aware that the future will be different from what one thinks today. What I still don’t see much of in Germany today is scenario planning as it is practised very ­resolutely in the Netherlands. There the decision-makers sit down at a table with citizens and look at the possible scenar- ios based on the available data. In areas Dagmar and Vanessa, you met each Is it really so unclear how cities we plan it today already determines has to ask: Who has the right to tell threatened by floods, for instance, they other at a “future workshop” where “Dagmar Schulze develop? some things for the future. We could people how they should live? When we try to think in different futures, in terms you had 24 hours to establish common Heuling: Today’s V. Carlow: There can be no doubt: most ask, for example, how the water supply make decisions, we should recognize of high, medium or low probability, and ground regarding your ­approaches for decisions people live in cities today and that will should be best ­organised in the future. the fact that we are thereby predefining seek solutions to each of the problems. the future of a ­sustainable city and presumably be the case in the future We should be willing to question things for future generations. So we influence future develop a new project. How is that as well. But it is less clear which cities apparent­ certainties. should always ask ourselves: Is there Is it even possible to convey to the possible in light of your very different generations. they will be and how fast cities will a way of minimizing the extent of the population the background knowledge disciplines? grow. One example of that is Berlin after V. Carlow: From an urban planning ­intervention or keeping things flexible? required to make such decisions? Vanessa Carlow: It definitely does take the wall came down. The population standpoint it is a great good to ensure V. Carlow: I find this aspect of our a bit of time to find a common language. ” growth initially projected to happen in that everyone has access to clean water V. Carlow: In the water example, for in- project especially important – planning When I heard Dagmar’s presentation, it the short term will only be achieved in a – in many cities of the world, that is a stance, that includes more than just the is just as dynamic as the course that life was immediately clear to me – she works Dagmar Schulze Heuling: Vanessa few years. The city actually shrunk for distant prospect. But how can we do question as to the location of the canal, can take. One can’t see the future. It’s on the same themes as my institute, just presented her vision of “Berlin as a a time. that today without knowing how the city but also the question of centrality or de- clear that things will go wrong at times. from a completely different perspective. 10-million inhabitant city” and at first will look in 300 or 400 years and where centralization according to municipal or We want to enable citizens to make an Our fundamental question is how to I had no idea how we could combine How can philosophy and Karl Popper its boundaries will be? Our project asks private supply. We’ve gained the Berlin informed decision. To do so, we need pursue urban development against the those ideas in a single project. But then help here? such questions. State Chancellery as a partner and want to transmit possible scenarios to the backdrop of an uncertain future. How I had the idea to ask: What could Karl S. Heuling: The idea of an open city calls to use Berlin – as one of the most dynam- public in tangible and understandable can we plan for a future without knowing Popper’s idea of an open society mean all fixed regulations into question. One S. Heuling: That’s the technical aspect. ic cities anywhere at the moment – as a ways and let them play a role in deciding

how it will look? when translated to the city? specific example: the ­infrastructure as C3 Infografik Illustration: From a philosophical perspective, we ­template for making recommendations which future seems most desirable.

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Hardly any appointed. “They appreciate the fixed “ working hours, the opportunity to confer young doctors want with colleagues, the option for part-time PORT to become a GP work, and hence the ability to reconcile TIMES FIVE career, leisure time, and family,” says in the countryside. Stender in describing the advantages of the medical center, which includes a The five initiatives physical therapy practice and a pharmacy. supported by the Robert­ In the future, the municipality plans Bosch Stiftung’s PORT ” to put its healthcare system on sound foot- ­program are designed to lean air, the Wadden Sea, ing and offer its residents comprehensive serve as models. Over the relaxing surroundings. The primary and long-term care. The Robert next three years, the ini- German town of Büsum has Bosch Stiftung supports Büsum and four tiatives aim to develop all this in spades. But one other German initiatives in ­accomplishing local health ­centers tai- resource threatens to run this goal through a ­program known as lored to the needs of the Cdry at the third-largest vacation spot on “PORT: Patient-­Oriented Centers for regions’ ­inhabitants. In Schleswig-Holstein’s North Sea coast: Primary and Long-Term Care.” The goal addition to Büsum, the There aren’t enough doctors. A few years of the project is to develop and build ­program supports the ago, three of Büsum’s five general practi- local health centers that will ­guarantee towns of Hohenstein and tioners reached retirement age and were primary care, offer preventative and Calw in Baden-Württem- unable to find anyone to take over their health-promoting activities and facilitate berg, ­Willingen-Diemelsee in practices in the remote province. “Hardly better treatment of chronically ill patients Hesse, and Berlin’s ­Neukölln any young doctors want to become a GP on a ­comprehensive and ongoing basis. district. The ­Neukölln in the countryside and serve around the To accomplish these objectives, the foun- ­initiative shows that even clock as a lone warrior,” explains Harald dation will provide €2 million in funding in heavily populated cities Stender, coordinator of outpatient care over the next three years. there are structurally weak in the district of Dithmarschen. This In Büsum, the money will be used areas that suffer from a FROM phenomenon applies to many structurally to set up training rooms for healthcare shortage of doctors. weak regions in Germany. The abundance ­provision and to support telemedicine, All the projects have of rolling walkers parked in front of the which will enable, for example, high-­ in common the idea of medical center in Büsum clearly shows resolution images to be sent to medical ­sustainable care from a why this development is a problem. The specialists at other locations. In addition, ­single source and under a population of the community is getting the town plans to recruit additional single roof. Patients at the ONE SOURCE older. Roughly half of the town’s approx- non-medical practitioners to handle GP health centers will be cared imately 4,800 ­residents are over 60 and visits from chronically ill patients, thereby The number of chronically ill people is rising. They require for not only by doctors and therefore at greater risk of getting sick. reducing the workload of the doctors. medical personnel, but healthcare services. But doctors are in especially short supply in In future, case managers will receive the also by social workers and LOCAL HEALTH CENTER patients, record their medical history, the countryside. The Robert Bosch Stiftung supports model trainers, such as dieticians. In 2015, the Büsum municipal council conduct initial tests, and then serve as a Chronically ill patients will health centers designed to guarantee sustainable primary and decided to act. It offered to take over the mediator and establish contact between not only be cared for, but will doctors’ practices and run them. The all involved. “In the future, we don’t want long-term care. also learn how to live doctors agreed and the municipality to simply send patients on their way once as well as possible purchased and modernized the existing the diagnosis is complete. Instead, we with their illnesses by Alexandra Wolters medical center. And in 2016 it opened want to provide them with as much addi- in their familiar the first municipal medical center in tional help as possible.” Stender summa- environment. Germany. Two doctors have retired since rizes his vision of healthcare as follows:

Illustration: C3 Infografik Illustration: then, and young successors have been “From one source, under one roof.”

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THE ONLY

uided by a gentle hand, It looks like a normal station, a watering can sweeps but the former railway building over an idyll of strawberry in Anklam actually houses a PLACE TO GO youth and culture center. plants and purple crocuses In Anklam, a new, very special youth and cultural to the onions and radishes — Gand suddenly stops over last night’s center — the “Democracy Station” — has been cigarette ends. Puk screws up her nose established. We visit a place that stimulates a whole and puts down the watering can. “You town and makes it a better place to live. can’t go easy on them,” she mutters, pointing southwards to where muffled bass sounds are coming from the square by Jan Rübel in front of the railway station. “You have to put up with it if you’ve got a public garden,” says the 19-year old high- school graduate. “But we’re working to raise awareness,” she adds with a smile. In the square, some lads are kicking a bread roll about. One lanky kid throws another’s cap onto the roof of a bus shelter, and two teenagers in tight leggings stand around a ghetto blaster. Some are rollerblading to the music: Syrians in baggy shorts and Germans in the Thor Steinar outfits that symbolize the far-right scene. Welcome only 13,000 people live there. It’s losing to the Demokratiebahnhof (Democracy its young people, its women and its Station) in Anklam, Mecklenburg, a well-educated – all drawn to bigger cities youth and cultural center of a very where they see better prospects for The house is a meeting special kind. their education, careers and quality of “place. There are no full- Puk has been working here life. This is gnawing at the seams of civil since last September as a social year society and opening up holes which are time administrators, just volunteer. She hurries across the square often filled by nationalist conservative autonomously organised to the station building, which stopped and extreme right-wing networks. In selling rail tickets years ago. After state elections last September, 26.2 commitment, all on a the reunification it was turned into a ­percent of people in Anklam voted voluntary basis. casino, and then it was empty. Today, for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the scouting ­association has taken over and the National Democratic Party of the building, and they have a mission: ­Germany (NPD) got 9.3 percent. Far- to make it a place where children, right thinking is commonplace here. ­teenagers and young adults can meet But new spaces to get away from and get to know each other. There it are appearing. The activists from ” are no full-time administrators, just the scouting association are working autonomously organized commitment to make things better in Anklam: with and ­co-­determination, all on a voluntary their ideas about optimism and learning basis. “We want to make Anklam a by doing, about mutual dialogue and better place to live,” says Puk. “People sharing of experiences, about setting get involved. That makes them want ­yourself targets and achieving them to stay.” It’s something Anklam badly yourself. In short, they offer young needs. Since reunification, a third of the ­people the freedom to carry out their town’s inhabitants have left, and now own projects. And this requires an ▶

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The program includes cooking, talks, music and discussion evenings. The young people are “there anyway. The Puk wants to change things in question is who can her home town. Her current offer them something, project is working with schools to who can give them a create a magic garden. way out. ▶ actual place to do it. Since 2014, they have rented the old railway station building, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung has been helping to fund the project team’s events as part of its Land Re- ” claimers ­(Neulandgewinner) program.

KIKI’S MISSION IS TO SMILE “We’re not simply ‘left-wing,’ says Signs of the Demokratiebahnhof: Puk as she goes inside. “We want to where secondary school and ­special school students, locals give ­people the space to think for and refugees all meet. themselves.” ­Today is youth club day. Kiki and Flo* are playing table football. “You’re cheating­ again,” shouts 13-year- old Flo just a little too aggressively and looks over to Martin Rosenthal. Rosenthal is a native of Anklam, cur- rently training as a youth worker, and is working here as part of his course. “You know what, Martin,­ I haven't had a cigarette today!” Flo thinks the town is boring. “The station’s the only place to go.” He’s had another ­argument at home today. His dad listens to far-right rock music, which Flo hates. He jumps up and writes “FCK NZS” on the blackboard. Flo gets angry very quickly playing table Anklam, despite the far-right presence. rehearsal room for bands. The gift box away and a different world! And then apply, it’s a different story. A gang of four football. He’s in year seven at a special “You can tell by a lot of people’s faces for the needy also has to be tidied up, there was the dirt and the noise on the are passing a bottle of beer around in needs school, after being expelled that they want to keep their distance.” because people have given lots of new square, which nobody did anything the bus shelter, and a lone youth on the from two ordinary secondary schools. He strokes his beard. “But for me, it’s a LAND games and toys. Every week they cook about. But patience gets its reward. The platform puffs on a cigarette. “I threw chairs at the teachers and kind of mission. People know so little RECLAIMERS­ together, and there are talks, music and mayor was won over by the project, “Who wants to help out in the threatened them with a knife. Man, they about us, so I show them that we can be discussion evenings. Of course, you can having established that the people at the garden next week?” Puk asks at the got on my nerves.” good people too. They’re learning. Now also join the scouts. Puk disappears into Demokratiebahnhof weren’t trying to youth club, once she has finished her Kiki sighs. His name is actually people say hello to me on the street, The Land Reclaim- the office to ring a few schools and ask if act as deputy policemen, but wanted to phone calls. Three or four hands go up Muhammad, but that’s too difficult for even some of the right-wingers.” Some ers ­(Neulandgewinner) they want to help look after the garden. revive civil society in Anklam. More and straight away. The plan is for a magic Anklam natives, he says, so he chose of them even call him their brother now, ­program was set up in 2012 “I joined the scouts when I was nine,” more residents came to take a look and garden with hidden-away seats where an easier name. Like Flo, he comes he says. Kiki’s mission is to smile, and to support people whose she says. She’s thinking about moving gradually the complaints are stopping. you can chat and relax. Already, the here nearly every day after school. that’s his contribution towards living independent,­ creative­ action­ away to study. “But I’ll come back after- Everyone comes together at the apple and cherry trees are becoming The 19-year old Syrian is in year nine together in Anklam. But that can be hard and commitment to civil wards. You can achieve so much here.” Demokratiebahnhof: secondary school cloaked in a gentle green. Spring is at secondary school. Back home in at times, thinking of the war he fled from ­society are strengthening the The old station building in Anklam and special school students, children taking over. Anklam – a desolate spot in Latakia he finished year 11. He’s been and his sick parents in Latakia. future prospects and ­quality is a hub, a magnet – not least because whose parents vote NPD and children the north-eastern corner of Germany, in Germany for 19 months, 17 of them of life of the ­rural ­areas they of the regional trains which stop next whose parents vote green. And Syrian abandoned and intimidated? That’s not in Anklam. He was put back two years THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE STATION live in. These ­people ­excel to it and take you from the small town refugees. The young people are there what it looks like here. because his school qualification in Syria ARE REVITALISING CIVIL SOCIETY in ­developing ideas for free out into the big, wide world, as well anyway. The question is who can offer wasn’t recognized here. “And I’ve got There’s so much to do at the spaces, trying out new paths as the school buses which stop at the them something. Who, apart from the Jan Rübel grew up in Aurich, East to get better at German.” Kiki says he Demokratiebahnhof. There’s the garden, and setting ­examples for square. Initially, people in Anklam were trains and buses, can give them a way ­Frisia, where the station building was also empty. The Demokratiebahnhof others.­ discovered the station straight away. the bike workshop, and this week there sceptical about the democracy project. out? The scouts don’t tolerate tobacco, in Anklam seemed like a ­magnet to “It was at the New Year’s Eve party on are bags to screen-print – as a thank The scouts came from the university alcohol or other drugs in the building. him, with so many different visitors all ­getting

the square in 2015.” He wants to stay in you to donors who are helping set up a Bohm Tobias Photos: town of Greifswald, 37 kilometers’ drive Outside, where the house rules don’t along together.

30 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung * Names were changed Sustainability Magazine #22 31 Ideas and concepts for a sustainable society

BRIEF BIO

Prof. Ottmar Edenhofer CO2 pricing can also is Director of the Mercator help combat“ social Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate inequality. Change (MCC), Chief Economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Professor of the Economics of Climate ” A REMEDY Change at the TU Berlin.

emissions trading. This could be achieved by applying revenues to progressive tax cuts, so FOR POPULISM that ­lower-income households receive more relief than wealthy ones. Low-paid earners Climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer explains would benefit particularly from this type of sustainable financial reform thanks to higher how to steal populist thunder on three subjects at the same time: net earnings and the creation of additional climate change, growth, and social justice. jobs. Should this type of reform turn out to be too complicated, the money could also be ­distributed to each citizen in the form of identical lump-sum payments. Relatively speaking, low-paid earners would receive hroughout the world, right- and they generate revenues that can be more relief from the payments. If a lump-sum wing populists such as U.S. used to reduce tax burdens or to increase approach is taken, taxpayers using less CO2 President Donald Trump, ­investments in infrastructure in a way that would get more back than they paid in. Those Front National leader Marine primarily benefits low-income households. who use more, pay for it. This solution would Le Pen, and the Alternative At present, countries worldwide be easy to explain and implement. for Germany party (AfD) have ­subsidize the use of coal, oil, and natural Although international climate protection made it a cause to oppose gas at a cost of $150 per metric ton of CO2, has suffered a setback with the outcome of the climate policies. The situation becomes espe- once all the social costs are factored in. U.S. election, the Paris Agreement has not lost Tcially dangerous when they get into office. The first step should consist of eliminating its momentum. To the contrary, the door has Admittedly, large democracies such as the U.S. subsidies for fossil energy sources. To this opened even wider for increased CO2 pricing. have checks and balances that make it difficult end, financial resources that are lacking today That’s because China, the largest emitter to eliminate climate protection measures. But will be made available for the construction of of greenhouse gases in the world, plans as U.S. president, Trump has the potential to vital ­infrastructure. The Mercator Research to ­implement the world’s largest ­emission seriously interfere with climate protection. Institute on Global ­Commons and Climate ­trading system this year. Together with This is clear from his latest executive orders Change (MCC) has shown that over the next Europe, the People’s Republic could create the aimed at repealing environmental regulations 15 years, the money saved from ending fossil largest carbon market in the world. imposed by his predecessor, Barack Obama. subsidies would ensure that people in 70 Government leaders and heads of state The root cause of these efforts can be countries have universal­ access to drinking from the world’s largest industrial nations will traced to the fact that populists scorn climate water, people in 60 countries have working meet soon at the G20 summit in Hamburg. The protection as a social “elite issue.” In addition sanitation ­facilities, and people in 50 coun- German government will work to ensure that to this are the partially justified concerns of tries have electricity. What’s more, building these countries intensify their commitment to the lower and middle classes regarding their infrastructure creates jobs and stimulates the international climate cooperation. After all, existence and economic standing, as well as economy. This might interest Donald Trump, the G20 countries are responsible for nearly their lack ­­­­of participation in economic growth who promised a large-scale infrastructure 80 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions. Their and political decision-making processes. program during his campaign, but has yet to finance ministers might still be interested One persuasive means of stealing provide any details as to how the program in carbon pricing even if climate protection populist thunder with regard to climate might be financed. is not yet one of their priorities. If climate change, economic growth, and the subject of ­policies and fiscal policies are jointly social justice is CO2 pricing. This approach is THE DOOR HAS OPENED EVEN WIDER ­developed and implemented, it will be effective because CO2 prices have a threefold In industrial countries, CO2 pricing also ­possible to offer a convincing alternative to effect: They provide incentives for developing can help combat social inequality, whether right-wing populism. Climate protection, technologies that produce no carbon dioxide, ­pricing takes the form of a tax or is accom- ­economic growth, and social justice would

they penalize the use of fossil energy sources, plished by means of an effective system for profit equally as a result. Impact Research Climate for Institute Potsdam Photo:

32 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Foundation Robert Bosch Foundation Sustainability Magazine #22 33 Sustainable development Sustainable development EDUCATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

ESSA was set up in 2016 to EDUCATION FOR help improve education in CAIRO’S STREETS ­Sub-Saharan­ Africa. A first ­focal point is on higher ­education. The aim is to ­improve ­collaboration TOMORROW between ­educational bodies ARE PAVED and those promoting educa- Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa lack many things, including tion. It also aims to strengthen good education. Many aid organisations and campaigners are ­personnel and other resources, for ­example through the coop- WITH MONEY trying to improve the situation, but have so far not had a solid eration ­initiated by ESSA be- basis for assessing supply and demand. This is where a new tween the African ­Leadership initiative comes in. University (ALU) and the IN- SEAD Business School, which teaches ­management skills to aint is peeling off the walls, ­inadequate; the universities are ­lagging managers such as the heads the door does not close prop- far behind from the world’s leading of NGOs or employees of uni- erly, and the students’ text- ­institutions. In addition, the education- versity ­administration de- books are old and tattered. al ­attainments do not match the needs of partments. It also plans to PBut at least these children at the ­Mafiga the labor market. And the problems of ­develop a ­knowledge platform school in Moringoro in rural Tanzania the education system in the Sub-Saharan on ­education and educational are here and able to learn – and they do ­region will continue to increase. Experts ­support in Sub-Saharan Africa. so with enthusiasm. This puts them at an estimate that Africa’s population will ­advantage over many of their contempo- double by 2050, which will ­exacerbate raries: many children in ­countries south the systemic challenges. of the Sahara do not attend school at all. The new Education Sub-­Saharan The future is too uncertain, and most ­Africa (ESSA) initiative from the those at the Mafiga school inTanzania ­ families have so much work to do that ­Robert Bosch Stiftung aims to improve will be conducted with ­students and their children are more urgently needed ­education in Sub-Saharan ­Africa. First, ­teachers in order to define the most at home. Teaching is made more ­difficult it will systematically analyse ­demand ­urgent problems in education. “We have by poor equipment and by the ­prevailing and ­collect information on the aid and an education for yesterday, but we need conditions in many places. Some class- ­assistance that already exist – a huge an education for tomorrow,” a ­schoolgirl es have more than 100 students, and the ­challenge, considering the differences says. One example is that, as elemen- teachers use outdated methods. ­between education systems and quality­ tary schools teach in ­Kiswahili, many It is not just the quality of the levels in the 49 countries south of the ­students ­encounter English for the first schooling and teacher training that is Sahara. As a first step, workshops like time in high school. Such students there- fore ­experience great difficulty in mas- tering the transition to high school. Egypt’s capital is he birds have recognized the “People say rubbish is not gold,” she In another workshop, students value of waste. In large flocks says, “but that is wrong.” The environ- Learning with from 12 African countries pooled ­ideas suffocating in waste. they circle above the moun- mental engineer from Cairo’s Ain Shams great enthusiasm: students in rural on how to tackle the problems in their Researcher Sherien tains of rubbish, screeching University is the first Egyptian to receive Tanzania. countries’ education systems. They felt Elagroudy shows how to greedily as they swoop down, a doctorate in the processing of waste. that the value of education ­urgently Tshredding everything the garbage truck That was 16 years ago. Today she is a needed to be reassessed as, in many earn money with waste and belches out, dragging nourishing fibers ­Fellow of the global “Next Einstein Fo- countries, learning is not viewed as from old vegetables or tearing remains rum” (NEF) and carries her conviction of an investment. Prospects in the ­labor preserve the environment. from meat wrappers. Every day they get the value of waste into the world: “I want ­market are often so bad that a long She is an example of the their beaks on 2,000 tons of city waste people to start ­thinking differently.” ­period of education does not pay off, many excellent African from southern Cairo: a quarter of the Elagroudy is an example of and young ­people cannot find a job, even waste produced by this city with mil- the many outstanding researchers with a ­degree. scientists who are working lions of inhabitants ends up at the dump in Africa whose work is helping to ESSA will bring together ­different on the future of the of the 15th of May city. All that energy! resolve actual problems in their home bodies and contribute with training But people cannot see it. They countries. Because scientists like courses among other things ­towards continent. ­wrinkle their noses when they get near her often work ­under less than ideal creating a better knowledge base the dump. What is the point of waste? research ­conditions and have very few on education and its promotion in by Eva Wolfangel Just get rid of it. A van crosses the dump, ­international connections, the Robert ­Sub-­Saharan Africa – and, in the long and in it is a woman who has taken a Bosch Stiftung and the African Institute

term, an ­education for the future. ESSA Photo: bird's-eye view: Sherien Elagroudy. for ­Mathematical ­Sciences (AIMS) ▶

34 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 35 WASTE IN EGYPT FACTS AND Convincing people of the value of garbage is at least as great“ a challenge as the FIGURES technical difficulties. ▶ initiated the NEF in 2013. The Next ­Einstein Forum gives African research- ers ­greater visibility in the international 22 science and research community and million tons ­provides them with a better network. of domestic waste are ” Africa’s science scene is growing, and ­generated in Egypt every year; young people are increasingly interest- this volume increases ed in a ­scientific career. The challenge “I did not know that there is a science study a graphic: “Germany deposits only by around 3% each year. is to offer them good ­conditions in their ­related to waste,” he laughs. But the two percent of all its waste in landfills,” home countries. Africa needs the bright- more he learns about it, the more certain says Elagroudy. Developing countries est minds to collaborate­ on the future of he becomes that Cairo’s streets are in contrast put 99 percent in landfills. the ­continent. It needs researchers who Only 60% paved with money. The fuel obtained “But we are a step further with our want to bring about local change with from plastic waste is used in cement waste-to-energy system,” the professor of waste in Egypt is collected; their work. Minds like Elagroudy’s. plants for example. If the state provided says proudly. She is excited about the majority ends up in landfills Today the 41-year-old professor fewer subsidies for coal, this sustainable students like El Tarek, who approaches or fly-tipping sites without any leads her masters students to the dump, fuel made of waste would be in even research with an eye to application. “It further processing. which has, thanks to her, long become greater demand. But the government ensures that things won’t just remain a more than that: it is now a facility, a has a huge flaw in its reasoning, says theory.” After all, convincing people of waste processing plant. The van passes ­Elagroudy: “They do not consider the value of garbage is at least as great a the sorting system and countless rows how well we protect the environment ­challenge as the ­technical difficulties. of plastic waste, first rough pieces, 60,000 through recycling.” Or how quality of then finer ones, until the plastic waste people live as garbage life would improve in a big city without A NEW BUILDING FOR WASTE looks like insulating material: colorful, Elagroudy collectors in Cairo: that’s rubbish on every street corner. Or how Shortly before she finishes work, but with a homogeneous consistency. conveys her how they earn their living much the health of its citizens could Elagroudy makes a detour over the yard On the other side, rows are piled with message to and provide the country improve without the pollution from before collecting her son from nursery the world as food waste and organic waste, arranged fellow of the with a record-breaking burning coal – and certainly not how school. A new building dedicated to neatly in straight lines like the mounds Next ­Einstein recycling ratio. much carbon dioxide it could save. waste is being built here, a center in an asparagus field. Forum. “Economics is about more than just the of ­excellence. To build it, Sherien The young man next to ­Elagroudy purely financial side.” Elagroudy raised the largest subsidy looks at these rows and smiles. Ahmed amounts that have ever been awarded in El Tarek is a master student and knows ENERGY CRISIS AS AN ­OPPORTUNITY Egypt: 10 million Egyptian pounds from that his professor has made sure that NEF But how can you get it into people’s the government and another 4.5 million two tons of waste are no longer just heads? The Egyptian energy crisis of from the university. Partly due to this dumped here every day, but are pro- The Next Einstein Forum is 2011 offered an opportunity to do so. success, Elagroudy was named one of the cessed into fuel and compost. Elagroudy an initiative of the ­African Insti- Suddenly there was no longer enough 15 most talented NEF Fellows in Africa. showed the operators of the facility how tute of Mathematical ­Sciences oil and gas to run the power stations, “On three floors, students will examine to extract the plastic, break it down into and the Robert Bosch Stiftung cement plants with their high energy waste and improve how it is recycled,” ever smaller pieces and dry it in the sun, and aims to raise the ­visibility demand shut down, and there was no she says enthusiastically. “We will bring and finally compress it into large bales of ­African scientists at an power. “We had to act quickly,” says up an entire new generation of young and sell it to cement plants as fuel. ­international level. The ­initiative ­Elagroudy. She grasped the opportunity people with a special awareness of the consists of mainly two ­elements: to demonstrate that waste contains problem of waste.” And finally convince ECONOMICS IS ABOUT MORE THAN a ­science conference every energy. the government of the value of waste. JUST PURE FINANCE two years — the next one tak- Back at the university, the scientist For El Tarek, the visit to the waste ing place in Rwanda in March Research for is surrounded by students and employ- recycling plant is like a trip into his own 2018 — and around 15 outstand- the environ- ees. She discusses the next steps one Eva Wolfangel loves creating ment: Sherien ­portraits of scientists and the future. The 36-year-old civil engineer ing NEF ­Fellows. These talented Elagroudy employee needs to take to launch his has his own company, but he is looking young researchers present their and Ahmed invention onto the market; a young man ­topics they are passionate about. She was particularly impressed for a new business model and new work to the forum and create El Tarek (left) proudly hands her his master’s thesis. “I discuss a with Sherien Elagroudy’s knowledge. At Cairo University they ­connections around the world. study with want to be a pioneer like Dr. Sherien one ­enthusiasm and persistence when faced with

­recommended he contact Elagroudy. students. day,” says the young man. Together they such a huge challenge. Hadeer Mahmoud Photos:

36 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 37 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS IN THE FOUNDATION’S SOCIAL COHESION IN GERMANY ­ FOCUS AND EUROPE In order to react even more flexibly to global challenges, the foundation SETTING AN EXAMPLE has identified focus areas it will concentrate on in the coming years. EVERY DAY Here are several examples of the projects and approaches involved in this work. We all benefit from the freedoms offered by our open society. But radical and populist voices are increasingly challenging these achievements. They incite hate and propagate separation and social exclusion. The “Initiative for an Open Society” — a network of private MIGRATION, INTEGRATION individuals, campaign groups and NEW institutions — is countering this FOCUS AREAS AND INCLUSION development. For the period before the German Bundestag elections in What is important for integration September, the initiative has organized How do we organize daily events and projects that migration, integration and strengthen social cohesion and stand inclusion so that everyone efugees in Germany is to ­develop recommended ­courses up for tolerance, diversity and benefits from immigration? ­desire real contact with of ­action for ­improving integration democracy. The foundation especially How can we preserve and the ­population and ­stable from the ­insights of the study. That supports smaller initiatives that strengthen social cohesion personal­ relationships.­ This also ­includes ­surveying those who are campaign for a strong community. in Germany and Europe? Rwas ­revealed by the early results­ of ­usually only the ­subject of discussion. And how can we create a study into the ­living situations of Practical and fundamental sustainable living spaces in ­asylum ­seekers, conducted by the ­research like this will improve our Projects at the “Diversity Workshop” contribute to both urban and rural areas? SVR ­Research Unit ­(Expert Council of ­knowledge base and contribute to an The foundation will focus German Foundations on ­Integration open and ­objective discussion about making diversity standard in our society. its work on these questions and Migration) and the Robert Bosch migration ‒ ­­and thereby create a ­basis in the future, along with the Stiftung. ­According to the study, nearly­ for ­an effective culture of welcome eading is great,” says ­ and receives support from the Robert traditional areas of support all refugees who were surveyed would and recognition. At the same time, the ­Mohammed. Wolfang Hachtel, Bosch Stiftung as part of its “Diversity in health, science, education, like to work and learn German. They ­foundation is working to ensure that a volunteer, cannot imagine a Workshop” program. The aim of the society and ­international also said that they were ­affected by the every person living in the ­country better outcome for the work program is to initiate contact between understanding. separation from their families and by has access to healthcare, education, Rhe does. For more than three years, the people from different social, cultural the uncertain asylum status. The aim ­science and society. 76-year-old has been a volunteer for or religious backgrounds as a basis for “My First Library,” a project organized mutual understanding and social co- ACROSS BORDERS by the “Culture Connects” club in Bonn. hesion. The foundation currently pro- MY FOREIGN TWIN Constance, Germany Aleppo, Syria Every week he goes to an elementary vides up to €7,000 to round 50 projects Schoolchildren from Strasbourg, school and reads to children with a that contribute to lively neighborhood Kehl, Tallinn and Helsinki examined he date is 7 August 1963: a girl is born in Constance, ­migration background. “Mohammed relations and building bridges between the ­topic of taking flights for an entire another in Aleppo. At 14, one of them discovers was my first book mentee and he is a different worlds. Examples include ­an school year. At the end of the ­project Ta passion for sailing, while the other is already wonderful boy”, says Hachtel. He now initiative where schoolchildren and entitled “Open your eyes,” they ex- ­engaged. Both start a family, and both experience loss. has six book mentees whose parents refugees run a youth club together, changed ­experiences in Strasbourg and At 53 years of age they meet. Are they “foreign twins?” A are from Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, ­and a history exhibition organized by ­organized an exhibition. Together with project of that name in Constance brings refugees and Morocco, Sri Lanka and Croatia. “No ­students and senior citizens. Another refugees they organized a picnic on the ­natives together who were born on the same day. It has matter how different these children are, is the above-mentioned reading French-German border. The ­project ­generated not just an exhibition and a poster campaign, they all have curiosity, open-minded- campaign that make books accessible was part of an ideas competition but also many encounters characterized by curiosity,­ ness and a zeal for reading in common.” to children while introducing their ­entitled “On y va — auf geht’s — let’s go!”, respect and empathy — all in the spirit of the program The club launched the project in order mentors to a foreign culture. As well which aims to encourage European entitled­ “Get together — Strengthening Dialog Between to improve the exchange between as financial support, the projects also ­citizens to participate in a lively cross-­

­Refugees and Local Communities.” (1) Langenberger Volker (1), Kollegium Gotenschule (1), Theodor Barth (1), (1), Sofie Puutfarken Jan Zappner Photos: different cultures and generations— receive technical advice from experts. border community within Europe.

38 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 39 NEWS

DOCTORAL SUSTAINABLE LIVING SPACES CANDIDATES FOR SUSTAINABILITY

The Heliotrop The Robert Bosch Stiftung ­building in Freiburg is supporting the creation turns to follow the INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING sun and produces of a doctoral studies course more solar energy at ­Leuphana University of than ­­it needs. ­Lüneburg. Starting in October of this year, and under the head- What do we ing “Processes of Sustainability Transformation,” twelve schol- arship students will conduct re- stand up for? search into the central challeng- es of the 21st century. They will examine topics such as resource ith Brexit approaching, and journalists like Katja Riemann and shortages, climate change and the challenges involved Martin Roth (on the right) discussed social justice from inter- and in the integration of if and how solidarity in Europe can be trans-disciplinary perspectives. refugees emerging, and improved in the future. Roth reminded Research results should identify neo-nationalistW and anti-democratic everyone what is at risk: “For God’s mechanisms and opportunities forces gaining strength, European sake, let us preserve peace.” Among for sustainable change. cohesion is being challenged in many the topics discussed were the social areas. Some are questioning the values change, the culture of debate, and our long considered non-negotiable in Eu- identity as Germans and Europeans: APPROACHING rope. At the same time, part of society “While talk shows reproduce a black- GLOBAL PROBLEMS has withdrawn from rational discourse. and-white approach every day, we want TOGETHER For the second time, Leipzig Book Fair to work on a constructive culture of For God’s sake, let us How can cities become more sustainable? and the Robert Bosch Stiftung have debate,” said Esra Küçük, curator of “ preserve peace, Within the Baladiya program, city planners organized the “Europa21. Thinking Europa21. The program also included Tomorrow’s Society” focus program. workshop discussions with authors appealed Martin Roth. from the Maghreb look for answers. At events held between March 23 and 26 from Turkey and Israel, who provided ” and entitled “We in Europe – What do insights into their work and spoke we stand up for?”, artists, intellectuals about the artist’s role in eventful times. ive degrees, grey skies and rain discussions, lectures and competence — Germany’s first solar settlement training. The Robert Bosch Stiftung has is probably not producing much been running Baladiya in cooperation energy today. Hafsa Bakri opens with the European Academy (Europäische INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION Fher umbrella and steps outside with the Akademie Berlin) and the Society for other participants of “Baladiya — New International Co-operation (Gesellschaft Awards for Recognition of our Paths in Urban Development.” Regardless für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) since work in education of the weather, the young Moroccan and 2013. Over the course of a year the partici- The fight against climate change German-Arab­ film­­ her fellow participants from Algeria pants attend several modules in Germany and social injustice knows no The Robert Bosch Stiftung was and Tunisia are off to inspect Vauban, a and North Africa, and can take part in a borders. Together with the teams nominated as the 2017 Didacta sustainable district in Freiburg. And so work placement if they wish. EU-China NGO Twinning Pro- n many Arab countries you need education ambassador for the architects, town planners, landscapers Environmental engineer Hafsa Bakri gram, the Robert Bosch Stiftung courage to make films – particularly if its extensive and sustainable and environmental engineers follow will return to Freiburg for her work and the Stiftung Mercator pro- Iyou want to tell stories of independ- commitment to education. The the local architect through small roads placement. She is in her early 30s and mote cooperation between ­civic ence and self-determination. And that is Didacta Association recognized and ­bombard him with questions: What works at the regional directorate for the organizations from Europe and the subject of the German-Egyptian film More than 50 teams competed for the prize in particular the contribution wood was used to build the Heliotrop environment in Marrakesh. To her, the China. The program allows NGO project entitled “The Trap,” which won this year, and three projects won awards. of the foundation to quality house, which turns ­towards the sun like a Vauban quarter is an ideal example. “And employees to spend up to two this year's Film Prize for International development in schools and sunflower in order to heat itself with solar here, renewable energy sources are just months with a partner­ organi- Cooperation in the short film category. for young film makers, the foundation to training ­pedagogic experts collectors in winter? Where can you get one component: others include planting zation in another ­country that Other winners of the award, worth 180,000 gave awards to young film makers from in early ­childhood education. low-cost solar modules? greens on roofs, collecting rainwater deals with social or ­ecological euros in total, were “Night,” a German-­ Germany and the Arab world for the fifth As the ­initiator of the German The Baladiya program is all about and reducing traffic,” Hafsa Bakri tells us topics. The aim is to ­promote Jordanian animation, and “Behind Closed time. And with success: in March, “Gaza School Award and founder of the ­exchange, both among the participants enthusiastically. “I want to launch a pilot mutual understanding and Doors,” a German-Moroccan documentary Surf Club” became the first film made German School Academy, the from North Africa as well as with their project in Marrakech that also combines identify starting points for film ­project. As part of Berlinale Talents, with the ­support of the foundation to be foundation has drawn public at-

German colleagues who join them for several different aspects of sustainability.” further­ cooperation. (1), Martin Simon Bierwald/Stiftung Geier (1) Mercator Photos: (1) Justen (1), Rainer Ausserhofer David Phtos: the most important international event screened in German cinemas. tention to good school practice.

40 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 41 NEWS NEWS

Foundation’s laid — what’s INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING next? FOUNDATION 2017 A change in Bridges across PEACE the Board of THE ENVIRON- Trustees the Atlantic MENT IS THE Dr Christof Bosch (58), grandson FOUNDATION of the company founder Robert A network Madeleine Albright promotes transatlantic solidarity in VICTIM OF Bosch, assumed the chair of the Stuttgart – foundation expands cooperation with Brookings 1998 board of trustees of the Robert for alumni CONFLICTS Bosch Stiftung on 1 April 2017. He has been a member of the At the start of the year the he world is in a chaotic state, Gidon Bromberg, a 53-year-old Israeli law- in 2013, when we were contacted by the board since 1997 and takes the Robert Bosch Stiftung found- and the EU is standing on one yer, founded Eco Peace, an environmental Bosnian “Center for Ecology and Energy.” place of Dr Kurt W. Liedtke, who ed a competence center for leg – at the 3rd Stuttgart Dialog, and peace organization, in 1994. Today it is Our more than 20 years of experience in has left the board after reaching impact-oriented alumni work. an event co-organized with the active in conflict regions around the world. ­environmental protection and the promotion the age limit. Prof Renate Köch- The new International StuttgarterT Zeitung, Madeleine Albright of peace in the Middle East were extremely­ er has left the board at her own ­Alumni Center Berlin (iac) is painted a gloomy picture of world politics Why is the protection of peace and the useful in the process of building trust in request; Prof Liselotte Højgaard also creating a Bosch Alumni to an audience of about a thousand. The environment such a good fit? Bosnia, which had been torn apart by civil and Dr Siegfried Dais have been ­Network that will connect more chaotic the world, the more it demands Bromberg: Environmental destruction is war. nominated as the new members. ­former scholarship students, leadership – but not American dominance. not usually the trigger for violence and ­recipients of long-term Nevertheless, the former U.S. Secretary of ­conflicts. Nevertheless the environment is How did you end up expanding the work ­support and employees and often the immediate victim of violent con- State found some words of optimism: she of EcoPeace to an international level? FOUNDATION ­integrate their expertise into hopes that the new American president will flict, whether you are talking about bodies Bromberg: First we concentrated on envi- the work of the foundation. be able and willing to learn. America needs of water, open areas or biodiversity. And ronmental protection and promoting peace New Bosch partners, Albright said in favor of close that has negative effects on the livelihoods between Israelis, Palestinians and Jorda- biography SOCIETY transatlantic cooperation. Albright should of all parties in the conflict. An understand- nians. Over the intervening years we were therefore be in favor of the new “Brookings ing for nature’s lack of respect for borders asked again and again to share our experi- Entrepreneur and Opportunities – Robert Bosch Foundation Transatlantic is one of the few things that encourage war- ence — first in Bosnia and Sri Lanka, then in philanthropist in crisis Initiative.” It aims to develop and expand ring factions to cooperate. Our experience India and Pakistan, and currently in Greece ­Robert Bosch passed situations­ reliable networks between the U.S. and has shown that even people involved in and Macedonia. With support from the foun- away 75 years ago. A Europe and provide independent research deep-rooted conflict will co-operate if they dation we have just launched the EcoPeace new biography ex- The Expert Council of for policy ­recommendations on transatlantic A pretzel pin for Albright to add to her brooch recognize that environmental protection is Center for Water Security in Washington, amines Bosch in his ­German Foundations on challenges. collection. in their own interest — for example a supply D.C. Instead of only helping those in urgent role as a man with ­Integration and Migration of clean water. In the process they learn to need, we are now able ­­to work strategically the welfare of socie- (SVR), which is supported by understand the needs of other party and and develop partnerships with local civic ty close to his heart. Historian the Robert Bosch Stiftung, are more likely to compromise. We help players around the globe ­­in order to pro- Dr Peter Theiner shows Bosch SOCIETY ­presented its annual expert is current novel “Ohrfeige” (slap them break through the cycle of reproach. mote peace and environmental protection. in his economic, socio-political ­report in April 2017. In the An observer of in the face) is set in a home for and cultural environment. He ­report, experts describe the Hasylum seekers and deals with the How did you come into contact with the How have you benefited from the portrays the image of a dedicat- deficits in the European rage and hope dreariness of waiting. Abbas Khider was foundation? foundation's support in the long term? ed democrat in whom foresight, ­refugee and asylum policy, recognized for his complete works by being Gidon Bromberg: A Bosch Fellow who spent Bromberg: The foundation enabled us to commercial success, and a com- but they also look at emerging awarded the last Adelbert von Chamisso part of his fellowship on a work placement develop a sophisticated program and help mitment to charity came togeth- opportunities for Europe and Prize for outstanding authors writing in the with us drew our attention to the ­foundation other parties involved in conflict to benefit er. The biography, entitled Germany and formulate German language whose literature is affect- in 1998. We received support for the first from our experience. If Israelis, Palestinians “Robert Bosch. Unternehmer im ­suggestions on how to further ed by cultural changes. A total of 78 authors time in 2012 for a joint project with the and Jordanians can work together, what is Zeitalter der Extreme” (entre- ­develop EU refugee policy. have been distinguished with the prize. The “Forum for Civic Initiatives” in Kosovo and your excuse? preneur in the age of extremes) The expert analysis also jury was impressed at how Khider dealt is published by C.H. Beck. ­covers successful integration with problems of our time in a tragicomic in ­Germany – in particular way. “He makes us smile, plays with cliches, PUBLISHING DETAILS Robert Bosch Stiftung Magazine, No. 22, June 2017 ­regarding living, education, and lets us marvel at the miracles in adver- The magazine is published with a circulation of 7,000. A PDF version can be downloaded from www.bosch-stiftung.de. ­integration in the labor mar- sity.” The promotional prizes went to Barbi Publisher: Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, Heidehofstraße 31, 70184 Stuttgart, [email protected] ket and the communication of Marković for “Superheldinnen” (superher- #22 Chief Executive Officers: Uta-Micaela Dürig, Prof Dr Joachim Rogall Responsible: Stefan Schott, Head of Communication Editorial team: Julia Rommel (chief editor), Philipp Knichel, Eva Wolfangel, Alexandra Wolters values. The recommendation: oines) and to Senthuran Varatharajah for Layout and production: C3 Creative Code and Content GmbH, Berlin Printer: steinkopf druck® stuttgart Printed on FSC-certified paper. avoid ­special programs and Abbas Khider knows what he is writing about: his book “Vor der Zunahme der Zeichen” ISSN no. 1865-0910 use the ­existing structures. the author fled to Germany from Iraq in 2000. (before the signs increased). (1) Lichtgut Piechowski/ (1), Leif (1), Manuel Frauendorf Kirchgessner (2), Markus privat Photos:

42 Magazine #22 Sustainability Robert Bosch Stiftung Robert Bosch Stiftung Sustainability Magazine #22 43