Development Conference

In an address to the conference, which aims to highlight the fact that development is not solely the domain of national governments, the German President said, "We need partnership at all levels."

He said that German state and local governments were already making a valuable contribution, but urged them to do more and to "better co-ordinate their efforts with one another and with the policies of the federal government."

Koehler said it was imperative that Germany establish a network for exchange with Africa, and stressed the importance of state and local-level support in bringing that about. He cited existing scientific and technological cooperations with many emerging markets as an excellent pre-requisite for the creation of partnerships with African countries.

In front of an audience of hundreds from countries throughout the world, Koehler made clear his belief that even the smallest of German communities can become active in development cooperation - in manifold ways.

Help without money

He made a plea for partnerships between universities, saying that "projects from the heart of civil society" allowed people to feel development policies first-hand.

And he urged local and state governments to make Germany's position on development more credible by ensuring they invest public money in "fair" products.

German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said it was up to Germany's municipalities to inform their citizens about poverty and its causes. She said that would help to impress the importance of development aid to the tax-payer.

Nevertheless, the conference is less about money than about practical ways in which regional and municipal communities can do their bit to further develop countries in need of help.

That may be by establishing student exchanges, training fire-fighters in Nicaragua, transporting a shipment of bikes to South Africa, or offering advice on how best to promote security at a football stadium.

tkw/AFP/EPD

Editor: Kate Bowen