Stuttgart, 29 April 2025 | At the fully booked State Conference on Development Policy on 26 April, over 240 representatives from civil society, politics, administration and business met as part of the trade fair Act fairly in Stuttgart. Under the motto "Solidarity. POWER. Future," participants discussed pressing global challenges and developed concrete political demands for equitable and sustainable development – ​​in Baden-Württemberg and worldwide.

This year's State Conference on Development Policy marked the 50th anniversary of the commitment of the Baden-Württemberg Development Association (DEAB), for which the state government expressed its sincere gratitude. The conference was dedicated to global responsibility, solidarity, and strengthening civic engagement.

Dr. Dolgor Guntsetseg, Network Coordinator of the One World Promoters Program in Baden-Württemberg, based at the DEAB, emphasized: "The 50-year history of civil society engagement for global justice in the southwest impressively demonstrates: Solidarity. POWER. Future. Under this motto, our state conference, as the oldest state network, united the diverse facets of this commitment. Together with voices from the Global South and activists from five decades, clear demands were formulated to overcome colonial continuities and shape a future on equal terms."

Gabriele Radeke, Managing Director of the DEAB, emphasized: "The discussions with politicians have made it clear that the state government must strengthen democratic and social participation as well as ecological sustainability through increased support for education and civic engagement in order to ensure a just future."

The conference program offered a broad spectrum: After welcoming addresses from Baden-Württemberg, Papua New Guinea, Burundi, and Guatemala, there were panel discussions, a Living Library with insights into civil society engagement, input on colonial continuities and climate justice, and a political talk with state parliament members. Peace researcher Dr. Siyabulela Mandela emphasized the role of a strong civil society for global solidarity, peace, and human rights in his Critical Friend keynote speech. Finally, concrete demands were formulated, which will be published starting May 26, 2025, including:

• Stronger support for civil society through long-term and substantial financial support, particularly to secure networks and programs such as the One World Promoters Program and the Intercultural Promoters Program
• Structural anchoring of global learning and education for sustainable development in the education system
• Sustainable and fair economic activity, particularly through socially and ecologically fair public procurement
• Promoting migrant engagement and actively dismantling colonial barriers in society
• Strengthening international fair partnerships
• Responsible climate policy that pays particular attention to the impacts on the Global South.

In view of the results of the conference, Philip Keil, Managing Director of the Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation (SEZ): "A strong, well-connected civil society is essential if we want to overcome the major global challenges of our time. The state conference has shown that commitment to global justice thrives on participation, diversity, and a clear political will to sustainably strengthen these forces."

"Solidarity is the key to a sustainable world. Baden-Württemberg needs a strong civil society that helps shape sustainable and just solutions," he concluded. Clara Schweizer, board member of the DEAB, concluded. The state conference made it clear: Only through binding political support, structural support, and genuine participation can the commitment to global justice continue to be successful. Global responsibility begins locally – through structural support, bold education policies, and an economy that respects the dignity of all people.

Background to the DEAB

The DEAB, its 183 member organizations, and networks in Baden-Württemberg and around the world have been committed to a fairer and more solidarity-based world for five decades. Through their activities in the areas of global learning and education for sustainable development, global partnerships, fair trade, and a solidarity-based global economy, they all make a decisive contribution to a sustainable society. The commitment, expertise, and engagement of civil society are central to the implementation of Baden-Württemberg's development policy guidelines.

About the development policy state conference 

All results of the conference will be available as of May 26, 2025 www.sez.de/entwicklungspolitik-landesconference The Council for Development Cooperation (REZ), which advises the Baden-Württemberg state government on the implementation of the development policy guidelines, will compile the conference results into a recommendation for state policymakers. At the annual State Conference on Development Policy, held as part of the dialogue format "World:Citizens Asked!", the development policy community has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and initiatives and thus actively shape the state's development policy. The REZ's office is located at the Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation.

Background to the SEZ

The Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation (SEZ) raises awareness among people in Baden-Württemberg about the global connections between local action. Through events and conferences, it raises awareness of globally responsible action and demonstrates how everyone can contribute to a fairer world. The foundation supports and networks private, municipal, and regional initiatives to improve and deepen partnerships with countries in the so-called Global South. The AMAHORO state partnership with Burundi and the partnership with northern Iraq play a special role.

Additional information:

• Instagram: @sez_bw, @dachverbanddeab, @fairhandelnmesse
• sez.de/entwicklungspolitik-landeskonzept
• sez.de/themen/weltbuerger-gefragt
• sez.de/fair-handeln
• deab.de
• deab.de/promotor-innen-programme/eine-welt-promotor-innenprogramm
• deab.de/promotor-innen-programme/interkultures-promotor-innenprogramm

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