In Brief | 01/12/2024

The GIGA Celebrates its 60th Anniversary!

The GIGA turns 60. Here you will find an overview of our anniversary activities.


  • History of the Institute

    GIGA Gebäude
    Founded in 1964 as the Deutsches Übersee-Institut (German Overseas Institute), the GIGA can now celebrate 60 years of research on the Global South and global developments. Its work began with four institutes based in Hamburg, which focused on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East respectively. In 2006, it was restructured into a centre for comparative regional research, specialising in excellent practice-oriented research and international policy advice. Today, the GIGA employs around 150 people, 90 of whom work in research. Together they make a significant contribution to the better understanding of topics of global relevance across politics, business, and society. A particular concern of the Institute is the promotion of Open Access: our publications are accessible free of charge worldwide. The GIGA combines excellent research with practice-oriented knowledge exchange, having developed into a key institute whose expertise is sought after by politicians, the media, international institutions, as well as the makers of foreign and development policy alike.

    More about GIGA's history


    Anniversary Fellowships

    To mark its 60th anniversary, the GIGA Executive Board has awarded several Anniversary Fellowships in the form of short-term contracts for researchers. Some of these Fellows introduce themselves and outline their work in the short videos below.

    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Daniela Osorio Michel
    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Daniela Osorio Michel
    Anniversary Fellow - Nils Lukacs
    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Nils Lukacs
    Anniversary Fellow - Nora Kürzdörfer
    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Nora Kürzdörfer
    Anniversary Fellow - Evans Awuni
    Anniversary Fellow Evans Tindana Awuni
    Anniversary Fellow - Cordula Weber
    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Cordula Tibi Weber
    Anniversary Fellow - Anette Ruml
    Anniversary Fellow Dr. Anette Ruml

    Doctoral Researchers' Conference

    Image Doctoral Researchers Conference: Researching with the Global South?
    To mark the 60th anniversary of the GIGA’s work, the Institute’s doctoral students organised a conference at which they critically examined ethical and practical aspects of research on the “Global South” together with invited experts. The focus was on the question of how fairness and equality can be guaranteed in South–North research collaboration. Over the course of three days, participants discussed how power dynamics and working hierarchies influence research in and with the Global South and shared ideas on potential solutions.

    More on the conference


    Anniversary Brunch

    As part of an internal anniversary brunch, we toasted the long history of the GIGA with our team.

    GIGA Anniversary Brunch
    © GIGA
    GIGA Anniversary Brunch


    Outlook

    With 60 years of experience and expertise behind it, the GIGA is looking to the future with great enthusiasm. We will continue to help advance our collective understanding of globally relevant issues through excellent research and practice-oriented knowledge exchange. Our work will always remain focused on the challenges and opportunities of the Global South as we work towards a fairer and more sustainable world.

    We would like to thank all our partners, former and current colleagues, as well as supporters for having accompanied us on this journey thus far and look forward to the coming years being full of new discoveries, challenges, and opportunities as our work together continues.

    Follow the GIGA on our digital channels to learn more about both our ongoing projects and future initiatives.

    Video GIGA Forum Gaza War
    Video GIGA Forum Gaza War

    GIGA Forum | 03/04/2024

    The Gaza War and Its Impact on the Middle East

    This GIGA Forum explores the implications of the Gaza War for Israeli–Palestinian relations and its repercussions on neighbouring countries and the wider region. Is the Gaza War a prelude to a broader conflict, or can we envision prospects for de-escalation and lasting peace in the Middle East? Video now online.

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