Stories

African leaders recognise the strong link between education and development, but in spite of the political statement made at CONFINTEA VI (2009), very limited changes have been observed in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Germany, like a growing number of other countries, is confronted by the challenge of demographic change with ageing populations. Moreover, this demographic revolution is occurring at a time when revolutionary changes in digital technologies associated with artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnologies are starting to impact on society so that governments are facing the perplexing question of what kind of society will emerge – machine dominated or humanistic.

Africa is undergoing a process of change, as the continent aspires to be completely peaceful and prosperous by 2063. This may seem an overly ambitious goal, given the multifold challenges from both within and outside. In addition, there is an intense debate underway as to whether these social, economic and cultural changes are liabilities or assets in terms of real national and continental unity and sustainable development. The provocative question is how to transform a liability into an asset for nation building.

Interview with Vanna Peou, who is today the country director of DVV International in Cambodia, working at the intersection of adult education and development cooperation. Being born in a poor family in Cambodia during the civil war period made learning really difficult.