GIGA Annual Report 2011

Abstract

The year 2011 brought many changes to the GIGA. Our president since 2004, Professor Robert Kappel, retired in September 2011. Without his commitment and leadership at the GIGA, becoming one of Europe's leading research institutes in comparative area studies would have been difficult. When Robert Kappel arrived at what was then called the German Overseas Institute, we asked ourselves what it would take for him to alter our course. The situation here resembled that of Greece today: We were nearly shattered; we had to cut our budget; it was not clear whether our funders would continue to finance us; and there was a real risk that the institute might be shut down. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Robert Kappel in the name of the staff for his dedicated work as GIGA president. Several aspects of his professional history were of importance to the institute. He was an expert on a continent -Africa- that had for many years been perceived as hopeless, but had, however, taken a positive turn in the preceding decade. As a long-time researcher at the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics in Bremen, he knew how to handle storms und circumnavigate cliffs. As a former handball player, he had the necessary punch for this challenging task. Moreover, Robert Kappel was a specialist in value chains, so we hoped that he would boost the value of our institute. All these qualities proved necessary and useful in shaping the GIGA, a project I think he accomplished very successfully. As part of the reform process it was very important to create a new corporate identity for the GIGA. In this regard Robert Kappel's efforts were particularly effective. When he left the presidency, there was a broad consensus that the GIGA should continue on the trajectory he had initiated. Robert Kappel had very high standards and could be quite demanding as president. However, he also managed to communicate that although science is hard work, it is gratifying work and that a researcher at the GIGA is in a privileged position. We are pleased that Robert Kappel will remain at the GIGA as president emeritus and senior research fellow so that we can draw on his expertise and experience. The year 2011 also saw political change in Hamburg in the aftermath of the February 2011 elections. Second Mayor and Senator for Science and Research, Dr. Dorothee Stapelfeldt, has assured the GIGA that the institute's financial perspective for the coming years is sound, for which we are very grateful. We likewise thank the Hamburg Ministry of Science and Research and the Federal Foreign Office for their close cooperation and financial support. Last but not least, I would like to thank the entire GIGA staff for their contributions and commitment. (author's abstract)