The ASA Program is one of the programs offered by Engagement Global.The ASA program focuses on fostering global learning, intercultural exchange, and personal development among young people in Germany and partner countries.

Engagement Global is a German organization that promotes international co-operation for sustainable development.

This document has been compiled by participants of the 2023 ASA program and delves into significant critiques of the program. Our aim, having actively taken part in the initial phase of this year's program, is to offer constructive feedback and highlight areas where we believe improvements are essential. The primary recipient of this letter is the Head of the ASA Program, while we also intend to share it with partner organizations that have shown interest in receiving program feedback.

We sincerely hope that our criticisms are received in a positive light, and we trust that the Program will seriously consider the recommendations we put forth to enhance its overall effectiveness.

Overview of the ASA Program

The ASA Program aims to contribute to sustainable development by promoting global understanding, awareness, and engagement among young individuals. The program primarily targets young people between the ages of 21 and 35, offering them the opportunity to participate in a learning and exchange program that combines theoretical inputs, practical projects, and intercultural experiences.

Key features of the ASA Program include:

1. Global Learning: The program provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of global challenges, including social, economic, and ecological issues. Through seminars, workshops, and discussions, participants gain insights into topics such as sustainable development, globalization, and social justice.

2. Practical Project Work: ASA participants engage in practical projects in Germany and partner countries. These projects are typically related to sustainable development, and participants have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in real-life contexts. The projects are carried out in collaboration with local organizations or communities.

3. Intercultural Exchange: ASA fosters intercultural exchange by bringing together participants from Germany and partner countries. The program encourages dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Participants live and work together, sharing experiences, perspectives, and knowledge.

4. Personal Development: ASA places importance on personal development and the acquisition of key competencies. Participants develop skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and intercultural competence. The program aims to empower participants to become active global citizens and agents of change.

5. Networking and Alumni Activities: ASA participants become part of a growing network of alumni. Engagement Global offers various opportunities for networking, further learning, and continued engagement with sustainable development initiatives even after the program ends.

Key Criticisms

The ASA Program, which aims to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a commendable initiative.

In its long history ASA has been a space for exchange, intercultural friendships, politicization and personal development for hundreds of people. While we appreciate all of these things, we are afraid that some of the program's aims are not met due to its structure. Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that certain critical points raise concerns about the program's fairness and its alignment with the SDGs themselves. This critique addresses four key issues:

(1) the disparity in remuneration between German and international participants,

(2) the program's failure to be in line with the SDGs,

(3) the accountability of the partner institutions and

(4) the content of the seminars.

1. Disparity in Remuneration

One of the critical points of concern within the internship program is the significant pay gap between Germany participants and international participants from developing partner countries. Despite their equal contributions and outputs, the German participants receive higher compensation, which raises questions about fairness and equality.

Unequal remuneration takes place especially during the second project phase. Consequences of this are different opportunities for living, eating and leisure activities. The stark disparity in stipends and seemingly preferential treatment in favor of German participants create an environment that demoralizes and undermines the self-worth of participants from developing countries.

However, in the context of the ASA program, equal treatment is very important, otherwise the goal of fairness and sustainability remains on a purely discursive level. We aspire to move away from this form of collaboration, where material inequalities are camouflaged with eloquent language.

Numerous studies have examined the impact of pay disparities on organizational dynamics and the implications for equality. For example, a study conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) titled "Global Wage Report 2020-2021" highlights the persistent wage inequalities between different regions and countries. The study emphasizes that unequal pay contributes to social and economic inequalities, hindering progress towards sustainable development goals, including Goal 10 on reducing inequalities.

The program's failure to address and rectify this issue also demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to the historical context of colonialism and the need to dismantle such unequal structures. Furthermore, it contradicts the very essence of the SDGs, which aim to foster global partnerships, empower marginalized communities, and address systemic injustices. By perpetuating a colonialist dynamic, the program undermines its potential to create a truly inclusive and transformative experience for all participants.

In order to align the ASA program with the principles of equality and fairness, it is essential to address the pay disparities and ensure that all participants, regardless of their nationality or origin, receive the same compensation for their contributions. We argue in favor of the same scholarship for every participant, because we think that adaptation to the individual needs of the participants is impossible with the existing administrative resources. Therefore, equal pay for equal work is the most fair and straightforward option. In this way the self-declared goals of ASA, such as fairness and non-discrimination, can be met.

2. ASA Program, A Hypocritical Stance on SDGs

The second critical point of concern regarding the ASA program is its failure to align with some of the SDGs it aims to promote. The SDGs encompass a range of goals, including those focused on equality, inclusivity, and decent work for all individuals. However, the program's neglect in ensuring fair treatment and equal compensation for all participants contradicts these principles and undermines its own objectives.

Numerous critiques of development cooperation have highlighted similar inconsistencies between the goals promoted and the practices implemented. Scholars and experts argue that development cooperation should not only strive for external impact but also embody the principles it seeks to advance. This includes internal practices that align with the values of equality, social justice, and inclusivity.

Furthermore, critiques of development cooperation have emphasized the importance of addressing systemic issues and structural inequalities that hinder sustainable development. By neglecting to ensure fair treatment and equal compensation for all participants, the ASA program perpetuates and reinforces such inequalities rather than challenging them. This not only undermines the program's credibility, but also hampers its ability to effectively advance the SDGs.

As previously mentioned, Goal 10 receives inadequate attention, but Goal 8, which emphasizes promoting decent work and economic growth, is equally crucial. Unfortunately, ASA lacks control over partner institutions and actual working conditions, leading to instances where some participants are required to work well beyond their agreed-upon contracts and take on additional tasks. To address these negative effects, ASA should consider implementing sanctions against institutions that exploit the program for personal gain. Though during the second seminar, participants were encouraged to report such issues to their ASA contact persons, by that time, several months had already passed, and the damage had already been done. To mitigate these challenges effectively, early interventions and vigilance are necessary.

To address these critiques and uphold the principles of the SDGs, development cooperation programs like ASA should prioritize internal coherence and alignment with the goals they promote. This includes going beyond just having conversations to implementing fair and equitable practices, ensuring equal opportunities for participants from all backgrounds, and actively working to dismantle power imbalances within the program's structure.

3. The Accountability of the partner institutions

The third significant concern within the ASA program is its failure to hold partner institutions accountable for their treatment of participants, particularly those from developing countries. Instances have been reported where participants from developing countries face delays in receiving their stipend, experience disregard for working hours and holidays, and receive very little support by the partner institutions.

Indeed, while the ASA program currently has a mechanism in place for receiving participant grievances, there is a pressing need for ASA to proactively engage with participants from partner countries. Many participants face challenges when it comes to voicing their complaints due to the normalized dynamics of oppression that exist in their home countries. As a result, they may prefer to suffer silently rather than risk potential victimization for speaking up.

To address this issue, ASA must take additional steps to bridge the gap and establish closer connections with participants. Merely having a grievance mechanism is not sufficient if participants do not feel safe or empowered to utilize it. ASA should actively work towards building trust and rapport with participants possibly before the beginning of the first project phase, creating an environment where they feel comfortable expressing their concerns and seeking assistance.

Furthermore, ASA should prioritize creating a culture of non-retaliation and protection for participants who come forward with complaints. This entails establishing and communicating clear grievance handling policies and procedures to safeguard individuals from any form of

victimization or retribution when they voice their grievances directly. Such assurances will provide participants with the necessary confidence to share their concerns without fear of negative consequences.

In order to create a fair and respectful experience for all participants, it is insufficient for the ASA program to simply establish clear guidelines and standards for partner institutions. It is

essential that the program actively ensures the adherence of partner institutions to these agreed-upon standards and guidelines. This encompasses various aspects, including the timely payment of stipends, adherence to working hour regulations, and the provision of adequate holidays and breaks.

ASA needs to recognize that cultural integration is an essential aspect of the program and should place significant emphasis on it while ensuring that partner institutions understand its importance. The program must prioritize the proper handling of accommodation-related issues, as there have been instances where participants from developing countries resorted to sleeping on the couches of German participants due to the lack of support from partner institutions, despite prior agreements with ASA to provide assistance.

By prioritizing the accountability of partner institutions, ASA can safeguard the well-being and experiences of participants, particularly regarding cultural integration and accommodation. Having a proactive approach will demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing potential issues and promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for all participants, fostering a positive and enriching experience throughout the program.

4. The content of the seminars

The seminars mainly dealt with operational topics, such as the structures and actors of German development cooperation, the SDGs, project management and the security of the participants. Critical thinking and historical backgrounds were also addressed, but in relation to the operational topics significantly less was covered in comparison to the previous years. Operational topics are certainly important for bringing projects to a successful conclusion. However, the objective of "global learning" in the ASA program is not achieved in this way.

The essence of "global learning" in the ASA program appears unfulfilled through this approach. Vital aspects, such as reflection on white privilege, a historical exploration of colonialism's present-day impact, and an overview of global trade inequalities, were entirely absent from our seminars. These areas had been covered in previous ASA seminars and are vital for politicization and fostering enduring impacts among participants.

If the ASA program now only showcases official government programs without critical examination, it appears to be losing its essence as one of the most thought-provoking exchange programs, reducing it to a junior program solely for German development workers. Consequently, participants may excel in operational efficiency but lack a comprehensive understanding of global contexts and critical thinking by the end of the program. However, considering the current landscape of overlapping crises, including escalating global inequality and the climate crisis, there is a pressing need for fresh perspectives and a reevaluation of conventional approaches.

Conclusion

While the ASA program holds great potential to make substantial contributions to development cooperation and the SDGs, it is imperative to address certain critical issues to unlock this potential. In addition to the previously mentioned disparity in remuneration and the program's failure to uphold equality and decent work principles, it is crucial to acknowledge and confront the inadvertent perpetuation of colonialist dynamics within the internship program. The demoralization experienced by participants from developing countries, as they constantly compare themselves to their peers from the organizing country, further entrenches an unfortunate sense of inferiority and obstructs the program's ability to foster genuine collaboration and empowerment.

In order to genuinely promote sustainable development and align with the principles of the SDGs, it is essential for the internship program to actively confront and rectify these colonialist dynamics. By cultivating an environment that uplifts and recognizes the valuable contributions of all participants, irrespective of their nationality or background, the program can foster a transformative experience that encourages authentic partnership and empowers participants from developing countries to become catalysts of change.

Our concrete recommendations regarding the four points of criticism listed are:

1. Equal scholarship for all participants,without distinction of any form..

2. Continuous reflection on the processes of ASA and aligning them with the program's objectives is essential.

3. ASA should actively encourage participants to voice their concerns if they encounter any misuse by partner institutions. Additionally, ASA must take measures to ensure timely provision of accommodation and stipends for the participants.

4. A greater emphasis on critical global learning so that participants also can achieve an understanding of history and power dynamics of development cooperation.

By acknowledging these challenges and taking decisive action to address them, the ASA program can maximize its potential for meaningful impact and contribute effectively to development cooperation and the realization of the SDGs. Through intentional efforts to foster inclusivity, equality, and respect, the program can create an environment that promotes genuine collaboration, mutual learning, and empowerment among participants from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a more equitable and impactful approach to sustainable development.