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Cooperation with Latin America: Hof University expands its global network

This year, the 9th EUROPA FORUM was all about relations between Europe and Latin America. Speaker Sandra Weiß, journalist and former diplomat, discussed the colonial legacy and its impact on the present day. Gerald Knoll, a violin bow maker from Oberprex, spoke about how difficult it is to maintain his business model with pernambuco wood, which is why he organizes himself in species protection programmes. Around one hundred guests found their way to the Audimax at Hof University of Applied Sciences.

The participants at this year’s Europaforum; Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;

Why an event on Latin America? “We support the potential of a young population,” said Vice President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietmar Wolff at the opening of the EUROPA-FORUM. Hof University of Applied Sciences has long focused on the Indian continent, but is now expanding its portfolio to include various Latin American countries. “You need drivers from both sides to make these collaborations work” – and now you have them: “We have gladly accepted Hof University’s new strategy,” said Peter Schäfer, Professor of European Law and co-initiator of the event.

Prof. Dr. Peter Schäfer, long-time organizer and host of the European Forum;
Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;

With 27 countries, Latin America is around five times the size of Europe, so it is worth taking a closer look. “Europe must look for value partners,” said Schäfer and according to the latest Bertelsmann study, Latin America is an important continent for a value partnership. Schäfer also admitted that these are “formally perfect democracies, but de facto expandable”.

Colonial legacy…

Sandra Weiß, who writes for numerous magazines, pleaded for a constructive approach to the colonial legacy and also knew how to name concrete changes in mutual interaction: “Until now, for example, Mexico has always celebrated the so-called “Discovery of America” together with Spain on October 12.” Now it’s about financial compensation and an apology from Spain instead. It could even happen that the Spanish king would not be invited to the celebrations. The reasons for this are numerous: the destruction of ecosystems by colonial rule and the disruptive experiences of the indigenous population. Raw materials are mostly exported unprocessed and do not bring in the money that processed products would generate. “Pure extractivism brings nothing,” says Weiss.

Sandra Weiss, journalist and expert on Latin America, during her lecture; Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;

…and its consequences today

Another consequence is that Latin America is the most violent continent today and an ecological collapse can be observed in many places, such as the colonial destruction of the lagoon city of Tenochtichlán, now Mexico City, which is suffering from a severe water shortage as a result. The patterns were repeating themselves: “Rich core and poor periphery”, and only new approaches, such as combining old knowledge with new technologies, would help. Specifically, she mentioned the 10-point plan of the Reparations Committee of the Caribbean States, which involves a re-evaluation of colonialism and slavery in Europe.

Reforestation of pernambuco wood

Gerald Knoll, Upper Franconian hidden champion and internationally renowned violin bow maker from Oberprex, also drew his own conclusions: After large-scale deforestation or slash-and-burn logging on the Mata Atlantica, his business model was also in danger. in 2002, he took over his business in the fourth generation and until the 1990s it was not difficult to acquire the pernambuco wood that is essential for bow making. Then, however, timber cultivation gave way to agriculture and eucalyptus cultivation. “My solution is to get involved with IPCI, the species conservation program, because it wants to plant more trees so that there is high-quality wood for musicians again.” It was founded in 2002 by bow makers and is “unique in that a single industry has joined forces internationally and has now planted 340,000 trees”, often with partners from the cocoa-growing sector.

Violin bow maker Gerald Knoll reported on his commitment; Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;

Cooperation with indigenous environmental activist

He also very much welcomes the fact that pernambuco wood has now been included in the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In order to be used in bow making, the wood also needs to be stored for several years – “almost across generations”, smiles Knoll. “I am proud that we are also working together with an indigenous environmental activist,” says Knoll, as the aim is to bring back the water that is now missing and this requires old knowledge. This should also be borne in mind: “Without violin making, our culture would be one important area poorer.”

From Mexico and Colombia to Hof

The last two presentations were given by a research assistant and a student from Hof University of Applied Sciences: Paola Acosta Carrascal, who works at the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa), presented how Upper Franconia collaborates scientifically with partners from Latin America – for example with a marine science institute (CE Marin) and a program for ecological sustainability in climate change (Euroclima ). “The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is also currently running calls for proposals for cooperation with Latin America, “and we are participating in them,” says the researcher.

Paola Acosta Carrascal talks about her work at the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa) in front of a packed audience; Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences;

Ambar Reyes Torres had already spent some time in Germany when she came to Hof University to study Global Management: “Apart from the fact that it’s quite cold here, I really like it in Hof,” said Reyes Torres.

Michael Ertel, editor at the Frankenpost newspaper, led the evening. After a concluding discussion, the speakers and guests met for a small get-together to continue the exchange.

Katrin Müller

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