Alumni interview

Matthias Ruchser

Complete name: Matthias Ruchser

Nationality: German

Country of work (post): Germany

 

 

Course taken at Training for International Diplomats: International Futures 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


When it comes to influencing the international agenda or shaping public policies in your country, what main challenges do you face in your daily life as a professional?

When I took part in International Futures 10 in the year 2013, I was working for the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) in Bonn, Germany’s leading think tank for global development and international cooperation. One of the main goals of DIE is to be an agenda setter for development policy. While it is still commonly believed that “good things speak for themselves”, this is not the case. Thus, a research institute like DIE that offers policy advice and training should not limit itself to peddling ‘research for researchers’. In order to influence the international agenda and to also disseminate academic know-how, smart ‘knowledge marketing’ is needed. The modern and international approach which I adopted at DIE, therefore, suits the policy field of development policy and its international orientation. With the introduction of more efficient and innovative instruments for knowledge marketing and communications, the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) is well positioned to target specific audiences with content, recommendations and strategies. DIE’s communication strategy is distinguished by its topical orientation, professionalism and the use of both traditional and innovative instruments for communication.


How do you think our alumni network could serve your purposes better?

Working in an international environment on topics of global development and international cooperation, cross-cultural and international networks are a key element to understand today’s challenges. Participating in programmes like ‘International Futures’ or the ‘Managing Global Governance’ programme of the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) helps expands one’s own horizon, culturally as well as intellectually. For example, it makes a huge difference talking about energy – my field of expertise – with colleagues from a developing or emerging country or colleagues from Germany. While Germany is on the path of a energy transition towards renewable energy sources, the German ‘Energiewende’, colleagues from developing country or emerging powers might argue for the need to build up a basic energy infrastructure first – no matter what the long-term (environmental) costs are. Working with international networks such as the community of ‘Training for International Diplomats’ is a great opportunity and forum to exchange ideas and arguments. And it is a great way to learn more about the positions and necessities of other cultures and countries.

 

How would you be willing to participate in our network?

Since my participation in ‘International Futures 10’ I have already joined ‘Training for International Diplomats’ for an alumni conference on global ethics. Being the only German alumnus in a group of around 40 international participants was an interesting starting point for me to discuss global ethics.
I am happy to participate actively in future endeavours, such as alumni meetings, an alumni newsletter, the Global Forum on Diplomacy as well as sharing my expert knowledge on energy, the German ‘Energiewende’ and climate change as a speaker in either ‘Training for International Diplomats’ courses or alumni meetings.

 

These interviews are the opinion of the interviewed Alumni and do not represent the views of Training for International Diplomats or the Federal Foreign Office. Training for International Diplomats and the Federal Foreign Office are not responsible for the content of these interviews.