ZEF and its international doctoral program have been an integral part of the University of Bonn since its founding. The University Senate played a key role in the establishment of the Center. Moreover, the majority of ZEF’s nearly 500 former doctoral students have received their doctoral degrees from one of the University’s faculties. The City of Bonn has also been an important partner and supporter of ZEF from the very beginning. Michael Hoch, the current Rector of Bonn University and Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn share their (re)views. In addition, two of the three first ZEF-Professors look back on how things started and developed at ZEF.
- Michael Hoch, Rector of Bonn University
Dear distinguished friends of ZEF, Twenty-nine years have now passed since the Rectorate and Senate of the University of Bonn decided back in 1995 to establish an academic think-tank for international and interdisciplinary questions of development research, the Center for Development Research, or ZEF. ZEF’s foundation was made possible by the Berlin-Bonn Act and the financial support of the federal government and the state of… Read more: Michael Hoch, Rector of Bonn University - Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn
Dear readers, The Center for Development Research (ZEF) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its international doctoral program. When this program was launched back in 1999, two years after the institute itself had become operational, it was not only a first at the University of Bonn (followed by many other international programs over time) but also spearheading the establishment of structured doctoral programs in Germany.… Read more: Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn - Four questions for Joachim von Braun
Why was ZEF established 25 years ago? The determinants of ZEF’s establishment can be grouped in “deep causes” and “practical determinants”. The deep causes of establishing ZEF were that a Center for Development Research (ZEF) was (and is) needed. Understanding development opportunities and failures, identifying technological, institutional and policy innovations, and addressing global sustainability and human development issues was and remains needed. And such a… Read more: Four questions for Joachim von Braun - Four questions for Paul Vlek
Why was ZEF established 25 years ago? In the early 90s the City of Bonn and its University were at a crossroads of two political developments at that time: the rapprochement of East and West Europe and the internationalization of Bonn after losing its status as Germany’s capital. With the help of key local, regional and national politicians, funds were earmarked for research centers working… Read more: Four questions for Paul Vlek