Global Societies

For our Global Societies project, reporters around the world will be writing about societal problems, sustainability and development in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The series will include features, analyses, photo essays, videos and podcasts looking behind the curtain of globalization. The project is generously funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Alle Beiträge

Sinti and Roma Youth 'The "Gypsy" Stereotype Affects Us All'

Germany's Sinti and Roma are a diverse minority that have little more in common than their negative image in society. We asked four young people from the ethnic group to share their stories. By Heike Klovert

'The "Gypsy" Stereotype Affects Us All' - Heike Klovert/ DER SPIEGEL

EU Border Scandal Videos Show Apparent Illegal Pushback of Migrants

Are masked figures working for the Greek authorities secretly deporting migrants back to Turkey? DER SPIEGEL has obtained videos suggesting exactly that. Pressure is growing for Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to respond to the allegations, as tensions between the NATO partners grow. Von Giorgos Christides, Steffen Lüdke und Maximilian Popp

Interview with University Founder Patrick Awuah Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow's Africa

Education is the key to Africa's future, says Patrick Awuah, Jr. In an effort to unlock that future, he founded Ashesi University in 2002. "We don't preach to people," he says, "we engage them in conversation." Von Anne Backhaus

Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow's Africa - Anne Backhaus/ DER SPIEGEL

Corruption and Cruise Ships Montenegro's Scenic Coast Spoiled by Greed

Montenegro is the only country in the world to describe itself as "ecological" in its constitution. But the exploitation of its Adriatic coastline, where developers are given free rein, tells a different story. Von Keno Verseck

Montenegro's Scenic Coast Spoiled by Greed - Stevan Kordic

Favela Ballet Dance School Offers Girls a Future in Notorious Rio Slum

In one of Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous areas, one woman is using ballet to guide young girls away from a future of poverty and crime. But to keep her dance academy alive, she must constantly bend to the laws of the favela -- and contend with drug dealers and hostile politicians alike. Von Fabian Federl

Dance School Offers Girls a Future in Notorious Rio Slum - Evgeny Makarov

Migration to Europe UN Survey Says Africa's Best Are Emigrating

Many Europeans are apprehensive about migrants coming to the continent. The United Nations has surveyed some 3,000 immigrants from African countries about their personal histories and plans -- and came to some astonishing conclusions. Von Christoph Titz

UN Survey Says Africa's Best Are Emigrating - UNDP

A Look Back at a Millennium Village Fighting Poverty in Rural Tanzania

For a decade, significant amounts of money flowed to a handful of sub-Saharan Africa's poorest villages. It was earmarked to eradicate poverty, hunger and disease. But did it work? Von Marius Münstermann und Christian Werner

Fighting Poverty in Rural Tanzania - Christian Werner

The Disaster Awaiting Zambia 'The Most Horrible Drought in Memory'

Few other regions are suffering from the consequences of climate change as southern Zambia. A drought has gripped the nation for four years now, and farmers are warning of the threat of famine. Von Bartholomäus Grill

'The Most Horrible Drought in Memory' - Bartholomäus Grill/ DER SPIEGEL

Gender Equality Worldwide 'Poor in Rights, Opportunity and Power'

Women are often at a disadvantage compared to men. A study shows where in the world the situation is especially dramatic -- and which countries are the closest to reaching gender equality. Von Caroline Wiemann

'Poor in Rights, Opportunity and Power' - Finbarr OReilly/ REUTERS

Spanish and Portuguese Jobseekers The 'Lost Generation' Returns Home

During the economic crisis, countless young people, especially well-educated ones, left Spain and Portugal. Now a growing number of them are returning -- even if they have to make some sacrifices in the process. Von Helene Zuber und Steffen Lüdke

The 'Lost Generation' Returns Home - Bruno Colaco

Arabic LGBT Magazine Breaking Taboos in the Middle East

Many in the Middle East view homosexuality as a sin. The Jordanian Khalid Abdel-Hadi started an Arabic LGBT magazine as a teenager to combat the many taboos and stereotypes in the region. Now he has many thousands of readers. Von Franziska Tschinderle und Bradley Secker

Breaking Taboos in the Middle East - Bradley Secker

Invisible Slaves The Grim World of Bangladesh's Underage Domestics

In Bangladesh, the children of poor families are often forced to work as domestic help for richer families. Many receive neither payment nor free time, nor even a proper place to sleep. Most of them are girls. Von Yannick von Eisenhart Rothe

The Grim World of Bangladesh's Underage Domestics - Marco Giannattasio/ INSTITUTE

Extinction Rebellion A New Kind of Climate Protest Movement

Alongside Fridays for Future, Extinction Rebellion is establishing itself as the second arm of a new global climate protection movement. Forged from the lessons of past protest cultures and a present-day understanding of mental health and sensitivity, the group seems to be finding its stride. Von Georg Fahrion

A New Kind of Climate Protest Movement - DAN PELED/ EPA-EFE/ REX

Microfinance in Cambodia When Microloans Do More Harm Than Good

Millions of Cambodians rely on microloans to survive, even though the practice drives many of them further into poverty. Some of the money given out to poor farmers comes from Germany, yet Berlin refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. Von Vanessa Steinmetz

When Microloans Do More Harm Than Good - Adrees Latif/ Reuters

Spat on the Nile Ethiopia and Egypt at Odds Over Massive Dam Project

Africa's largest hydroelectric power station is slated to go online next year in Ethiopia. But the project along the Blue Nile River is also the source of conflict.

Ethiopia and Egypt at Odds Over Massive Dam Project - Salini Impreglio

The Lure of the West Bosnia Feels the Pinch of Brain Drain to EU

In Bosnia, thousands of people are learning German. With a lack of opportunity in their own country, talented young Bosnians are emigrating to what they hope will be a brighter future abroad. Entire towns have emptied out. Von Keno Verseck

Bosnia Feels the Pinch of Brain Drain to EU - Keno Verseck

Fridays for Future in Moscow Teen Challenges Putin's Climate Inactivity

Russian activist Arshak Makichyan has been protesting on Fridays against Putin's climate policy for more than 17 weeks now. Advocates of environmental and climate protection are uncomfortable critics for the government -- and Moscow tries to keep them at bay. Von Susanne Götze

Teen Challenges Putin's Climate Inactivity - Arshak Makichyan

'Euro Orphans' The Romanian Children Growing up Without Their Parents

As the European Union has expanded eastward, hundreds of thousands of children have been turned into orphans in all but name. They grow up without their parents, who have no choice but to work in rich, Western European countries for a lack of job options back home. Von Keno Verseck und Maria Feck

The Romanian Children Growing up Without Their Parents - Maria Feck/ SPIEGEL ONLINE

Lifelong Refugees Ethiopia Is the Ultimate Destination for Many Fleeing Home

Only a small percentage of the world's refugees ever reach Europe. Most never even leave the continent they are originally from. Some of the world's poorest nations as hosts to millions of refugees, including Ethiopia. Von Sophia Bogner und Paul Hertzberg

Ethiopia Is the Ultimate Destination for Many Fleeing Home - Maheder Haileselassie

Amores Perros The Paco-Addicted Youth of Buenos Aires

Addiction to paco, a by-product of cocaine production, is rampant in poor districts of Buenos Aires. Photographer Karl Mancini documented the everyday lives of teens struggling with the drug.