Over the years, there has been a range of definitions for smart city concepts and it has gained attention particularly responding to the emergence of various urgent issues as the world is facing multifaceted urban challenges such as climate change, air and water pollution, poverty, over-population, inadequate infrastructure, poor waste management, land sinking and to mention a few. But becoming a smart city is difficult and requires learning. Global cooperation between cities can provide impetus and drive change, as the example of the sister cities of Jakarta and Berlin shows.

Armed conflict causalities are soaring, forced displacement is at an all-time high, geopolitical tensions are rising, and societal polarization is strengthening also across peaceful societies. All happening at the backdrop of the escalating effects of climate change and environmental degradation that form the physical preconditions for our human existence. In the light of these challenges, Jannie Lilja calls for a more proactive approach to peace.

Bei den diesjährigen Potsdamer Frühjahrsgesprächen wurde auch über die zentrale Frage der globalen Governance – also globalen Politikgestaltung – für Ernährungssicherheit diskutiert. Die Menschenrechtsorganisation FIAN hat sich dabei für einen rechtsbasierten Ansatz stark gemacht. Aber was bedeutet das konkret? Roman Herre, Agrarreferent bei FIAN, erläutert den Ansatz und dessen Bedeutung.