D+C Development and Cooperation

Medellín cityscape under a blue, cloudy sky, paired with a quote: "Medellín has shown an exceptional ability to use urban planning as a means of driving social and environmental innovation." - Camilo Andrés Carvajal Guerra, environmental engineer.

They call it the "miracle of Medellín": cable cars reaching the city’s margins, green corridors designed to cool the streets – Medellín is full of ideas for improving urban life.

But how transformative have the much-praised projects actually been? See for yourself! 👉 spkl.io/6047AvgRR

Fighting Wildfires Could Soon Get Harder Simultaneous emergencies in different parts of the world could stop countries from sharing ground crews and equipment, new research warns.

Extreme weather conditions that stoke wildfires around the world are happening on more days each year, causing fire seasons in different regions to overlap more, a new study found. The simultaneous emergencies could stop countries from sharing ground crews and equipment.

A slum with colorful shacks and muddy ground reflects unfinished buildings. Text overlay: “For women, safety is not about cameras or apps—it’s about the fact that simply leaving the house should not always have to be a struggle.” - ROLI MAHAJAN

Do you feel safe moving around your city? For many women, feeling safe is not a given. 👉 spkl.io/63329AaJYZ

Ending up in the last category means no food at all Cuts to international aid funding have plunged Kakuma, one of the world’s largest refugee camps located in Kenya, into a worsening humanitarian crisis. With food rations reduced to a fraction of the minimum requirement and basic services collapsing, residents face an impossible choice: either endure worsening hardship in the camp or risk their lives by returning to their conflict-torn home countries.

Residents of the Kakuma camp face an impossible choice:

👉 either endure worsening hardship in the camp
👉 or risk their lives by returning to their conflict-torn home countries.

We describe what's going on there, and quote some voices from the camp.

The killing of cartel kingpin Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera should relieve pressure from Donald Trump. But Sheinbaum's move has also created political and security hazards at home. ft.trib.al/jfKLYXo

A smiling Roli Mahajan, journalist based in Lucknow, India. Quote: "As long as women cannot move around cities without justification, no amount of surveillance will make urban spaces truly safe." Article at dandc.eu.

📱 From crowd-mapping data to AI surveillance, technology-based security tools are on the rise in Indian cities. But real change depends on something else. 👉 spkl.io/63328Av9r8

‘Each person had 10 phones’: Trapped in a cyber-scam centre in Laos Southeast Asia's multibillion-dollar cyber-scam centres lure victims from as far away as Africa.

What do you get when you answer a Telegram job ad for an “IT job in Asia”?

If you’re unlucky: a one-way ticket to forced scamming for an international cybercrime syndicate. 👇

Quote stating, "We need less fear and resentment in the migration debate and instead more understanding of how integration can actually succeed." - JÖRG DÖBEREINER, managing editor of D+C; Article: Integration is a shared responsibility, dandc.eu

Debates can heat up quickly and become very unconstructive. In many countries, the migration debate is one such example. 👉 spkl.io/63320AvyUj

A world reimagined in Black By placing Kwame Nkrumah at the center of a global Black political network, Howard W. French reveals how the promise of pan-African emancipation was narrowed—and what its failure still costs Africa an...

By placing Kwame Nkrumah at the center of a global Black political network, @hofrench.bsky.social reveals how the promise of pan-African emancipation was narrowed—and what its failure still costs Africa and the diaspora. africasacountry.com/2026/02/a-wo...

Ladislaus Ludescher, a postdoctoral researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, is featured next to text: "Reporting on the Global South tends for the most part to neglect or indeed completely ignore key events in these countries."

The Global South hardly figures at all in leading media reports. Or it is often reduced to negative narratives.

That needs to change, say Ladislaus Ludescher and many others. 👉 spkl.io/63325AQ4pB

Ecowas without the Sahel states: how the split is testing free movement and regional legitimacy Beyond the rights to free movement, the AES withdrawal has real effects on Ecowas in terms of its legitimacy, strength and migrant rights.

Free movement in West Africa is under threat as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso’s exit from Ecowas begins to reshape regional travel. 🌍

theconversation.com/ecowas-witho...

#Politics

A transformative opportunity for the future: Africa and Europe should put trade at the centre of their relations When global leaders gathered in Addis Ababa at the 39th African Union Summit in mid-February to set and align priorities in key areas, the headlines and discussions focused on geopolitics, security and climate. But beneath these urgent themes lies a quieter, transformative opportunity: trade. If approached with ambition and balance, trade can become one of the most powerful levers for a new era of collaboration between Africa and Germany and, eventually, across the entire Africa-Europe partnership.

🤝 There's "the mother of all deals" with India, there's #Mercosur – why isn't there a similarly bold, future-oriented agreement between Europe and Africa?

#AUSummit2026 #Agenda2063

Climate change could expose 1.1 billion people to hunger by 2100 (but there’s good news too) – AI modelling study Without rapid cuts to fossil fuels and a shift to clean energy, climate change could drive over a billion into hunger by 2100, hitting Africa hard.

Without rapid cuts to fossil fuels and a shift to clean energy, climate change could drive over a billion into hunger by 2100, hitting Africa hard.

theconversation.com/climate-chan...

#Climate

Image shows a street scene in an African city. Text states, "3.5% is the annual growth rate of the population in African cities – an unprecedented urbanization rate in human history." People and vehicles fill the busy street. dandc.eu

🌇 Of the billion people by which Africa’s population is projected to grow by 2050, 80 % will live in cities. Urbanisation comes with challenges but also opportunities – our authors discuss both in the current D+C Digital Monthly on liveable cities: spkl.io/63324AtY0k

Illustration of Lagos air pollution's economic impact: rising from $1.4B in 2023 to $9.9B by 2040. Smoke stacks loom over a city skyline and polluted waters. Source: Clean Air Fund, dandc.eu

🇳🇬 Nigeria’s largest city suffers from severe air pollution. Olamide Udoma-Ejorh and Waziri Mainasara highlight the crucial role of citizen-led data in tackling the problem. ▶️spkl.io/63325AtOCl

A collage shows young people playing in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, with superimposed images of David Amen and a spiritual figure. Text: "David Amen/RioOnWatch", "Article: David Amen supports young people in Rio's favelas" and "dandc.eu".

The artwork on the cover of our current Digital Monthly was created by David Amen, a Brazilian graffiti artist, video maker and art & media educator. Learn more about his work here ▶️ spkl.io/63329AtOmc

Two men sit at a red table outside, with bottles on it. Text reads: "After all, sustainability means more than international acclaim - it must be felt in everyday life." CAMILO ANDRÉS CARVAJAL GUERRA, environmental engineer...

🇨🇴 Medellín is full of ideas for improving urban life. But will the “miracle of Medellín” be able to withstand the social and environmental pressures it faces? ▶️spkl.io/63328AtOJg

Quote states: “I think there's a crisis of the future. I see growing uncertainty and anxiety among young people.” It is attributed to JAVIER BRONFMAN, regional adviser on SDG integration at the UNDP Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean.

🇵🇪 Despite political instability, Peru has been making significant progress on the SDGs over the past ten years – yet Peruvian society still faces challenges. ▶️ spkl.io/63326At3BI

Quote: “The forces behind Donald Trump and right-wing extremists elsewhere have made the SDGs part of their enemy narrative.” - IMME SCHOLZ, co-president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and a member of the supervisory board of Brot für die Welt

🛡️Is the zeitgeist undermining the Sustainable Development Goals? In her interview with D+C, Imme Scholz identifies the crucial battlegrounds where the SDGs must now be defended. 👉 spkl.io/63327AtMEd

DE: Beigefarbene Zitatkachel mit dem englischen Zitat, dass Will Smiths Ohrfeige gegen Chris Rock in der Schweizer „Tagesschau“ mehr Berichterstattung erhalten habe als die Kriege in Jemen und Äthiopien zusammen, zugeschrieben Ladislaus Ludescher (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt) mit Hinweis auf einen d&c.eu-Artikel unten. EN: Beige quote graphic featuring an English statement that Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock received more coverage on Switzerland’s “Tagesschau” than the wars in Yemen and Ethiopia combined, attributed to Ladislaus Ludescher (Goethe University Frankfurt) with a d&c.eu article reference at the bottom.

👊 A slap from Will Smith attracts more attention than a war. Why the media should stop neglecting the Global South ⬇️

spkl.io/63328Asaju

2026 Emergency Watchlist | The IRC The IRC’s Emergency Watchlist reveals the 20 countries at highest risk of worsening crises in 2026 amid collapsing global support.

⚠️ The IRC Emergency Watchlist 2026 paints a bleak picture of the global humanitarian situation.

📉 It identifies the 20 countries where the humanitarian situation is expected to deteriorate most severely in 2026.

At the top of the list are Sudan, Gaza, and South Sudan. 👇

Quote: "Peru relies on revenues from natural resources and mining exports, and a considerable part was invested in social policies." - Javier Bronfman, regional adviser on SDG integration at the UNDP.

🌎 Many countries in South America have a much higher #SDG score than Peru.

🇵🇪 Yet Peru is the country that has made the most progress over the last decade. One reason. 👇

Success in the fight against malaria | D+C - Development + Cooperation The good news this month is about the successful fight against malaria in various countries.

😊 Do yourself a favour and stop doomscrolling! There are still good news out there. This is one. 👇

💌 For more good news, sign up for our newsletter! 👉 spkl.io/63325As98c

Ladislaus Ludescher, a postdoctoral researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, is featured with a quote: "Reporting on the Global South tends for the most part to neglect or indeed completely ignore key events in these countries."

🤔 To all of you from the so-called Global North or based there: What have you last heard about the Global South in the media?

Many important aspects aren't being reported on. 👉 spkl.io/63326AsVoy

Moving forward without losing sight of one’s roots Aya Cissoko, the daughter of Malian parents, was born and grew up in Paris. In her books, which are well worth reading, she taps into her own family’s history to explore issues such as identity, migration and women’s rights – and explains how as a young woman she had to literally fight to survive.

💪 She had to fight to survive. In her books, Aya Cissoko taps into her own family’s history to explore issues such as identity, migration and women’s rights. 👇

Hands holding a phone displaying D+C monthly's "Liveable cities" issue. The image on the phone shows people in a city. Text: "Liveable cities. The new D+C Monthly is available for download!" Website: dandc.eu.

🏙️ There are many problems in cities around the world: extreme weather events, traffic congestion, air pollution, crime, waste, etc.

But people are coming up with solutions. We're presenting some to you. 👇
🇬🇧: spkl.io/63320AS4uA
🇩🇪: spkl.io/63321AS4u7

A growing appeal for authoritarian rule In many South American countries, calls for strongman rule are growing louder. Yet law-and-order policies do not tackle inequality or weak governance. They undermine institutions and make external interference more likely. Is the region opening the door to more foreign influence?

🌎 Authoritarian rule seems to be becoming popular in South America again.

⚠️ Yet law-and-order policies do not solve some fundamental problems. 👇

How citizens take action for a cleaner and healthier Lagos The residents of Nigeria’s largest city suffer from severe air pollution, traffic congestion and car-centric urban planning. Local initiatives are proposing solutions to redesign public spaces and transport – from citizen science to car-free days. However, real transformation depends on authorities, researchers and residents working together to shape the future of the city.

❌ Too much traffic, polluted air – no, thanks!

✅ This is what Lagos' citizens do to make the city healthier and more liveable. 👇

French diplomats are taking on MAGA — one meme at a time Paris is rolling out a confrontational online strategy to counter disinformation from the United States and beyond.

Ça suffit! France has had enough. So they launched French Response, an X-Account that takes on disinformation — one meme at a time, as @politico.eu puts it.

This is not a joke, it's a Foreign Affairs Ministry account. See for yourself! 👇

Quote reads: "The fiercest opponents of the 2030 Agenda are in the minority." Attributed to Imme Scholz, co-president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Article: "The Sustainable Development Goals are seen as the enemy" Website: dandc.eu

👍 The good news: SDG enemies are in the minority.

👎 The bad news: They're loud and well-connected!

We discussed that political resistance as well as the future of the SDGs with Imme Scholz from @boell.de. 👉 spkl.io/63325AS3ET