Germany's policies towards Africa
Africa is a special focus of German foreign policy. Germany's policy towards Africa is value-based; its principles are respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Introducing the German Government’s Strategy for Africa, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said it coincided with a “time of dramatic change and upheaval taking place right next door to Europe”. He said that what was happening – particularly in Africa – presented us with “perhaps the most intriguing evidence of a changing world”.
Africa Strategy
Improving the security situation in Africa is one of the German Government's key goals. How this can best be achieved has been spelled out by the G8. In line with the priorities laid down by the G8, the German Foreign Office has developed its own G8 Africa Programme focusing on three areas of great significance for security in Africa: peace missions, police work and addressing the causes of conflict.
German G8 Africa Programme
With fairness, tolerance and peaceful competition as its backbone, sport is a popular way to promote international understanding. As a peace policy instrument, the promotion of sport thus helps bolster conflict prevention and management.
Sports and Foreign Policy
Cultural and education policy is an important pillar of Germany's foreign policy. This is a way of reaching people in other countries. It presents Germany in a variety of different ways. Culture and education are instruments that generate confidence and trust in Germany around the world. It thus lays broad foundations on which to build stable international relations.
Culture and education - priority areas of German foreign policy
