Paper short abstract:

The logic of development cooperation as conceptualized in the SDGs as well as the respective papers of the EU and, for example, Germany, do not allow for partnerships on so-called eye-level. Therefore, hierarchy and dependency remain the dominant mechanisms, also in research funding programs.

Paper long abstract:

To increase the quality of research in the respective higher education landscapes as well as the global community, it is essential that research institutions collaborate internationally. However, in many African research landscapes, the need for institutionalized research funding is not always backed up with the necessary funding lines. That means, international research funding mainly comes from Europe and North America. However, the logic of development cooperation as it is conceptualized in the SDGs and the respective papers of the European Union and, for example, Germany, do not allow for a partnership on the so-called eye-level. Instead, hierarchy and dependency remain the dominant traits of such collaborations.

The European Union as well as diverse German ministries have developed strategic initiatives with different regions in the world, also with Africa. While the terminology with other partner regions, such as North America, speaks of shared values and experiences, the terminology used in an African context is that of “enabling” and “supporting”. That means, while in some collaborations, the partnership strengthened, in other cooperation, the partner needs to be strengthened.

That is the underlying logic of development cooperation since Truman’s inaugural speech in 1949. More than 70 years later, the SDGs as the mother document, the EU and, for example, the German ministries, still use the same language.

This paper aims to make underlying concepts of development cooperation transparent and give examples from the EU as well as from Germany. It also aims to present the AU language on research collaboration.