This article from NZZ criticizes the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany's development cooperation agency. It highlights concerns about the high salaries and benefits received by GIZ employees, particularly their generous travel allowances and the potential for wealth accumulation that contrasts sharply with the living conditions in the countries they work in. The article quotes a former employee referring to GIZ as a 'travel agency for academics' children'.
The article questions the effectiveness of GIZ's projects, citing a former German ambassador who doubts the lasting positive impact on local populations. It points to a lack of effective control over the use of funds and the absence of competition as contributing factors to inefficiency. The article also notes that GIZ's internal reforms, including increased external audits, haven't solved these fundamental issues.
The article mentions calls for a fundamental shift in German development policy, suggesting a stronger alignment with Germany's economic interests. This is presented as a way to avoid allowing other nations, such as China, to fill the void and potentially exploit developing countries. Despite the criticism, the article concludes by suggesting that the German president's visit to GIZ will likely not address these core issues.