This program on global development has the mission to promote social change and renewal in developing countries on a scientific basis. The main focus is on needy children and exposed mothers as a target group. The leading idea behind global development is to combine social changes in civil societies with economic growth and environmental (ecological) issues in order to achieve better life conditions for poor people. The purpose is to design and apply new and innovative concepts for creating five “good circles” of society building in developing countries: distinctive culture, strengthened identity, organic way of living, active learning and promoting occupations. An important goal is to work out special education programs for needy children and exposed mothers to raise their abilities for communication and concentration based on principles for active and situated learning. A specific objective is to set-up professional spaces (Community Children Academy Spaces) based on learning workshops, modern therapy forms and outdoor activities for the children and their mothers. An essential outcome of the program is to make exposed mothers more self-dependent citizens so they can take care of themselves and their needy children, particularly by promoting an organic way of living to strengthen their health in a natural environment. In this sense it is important to support the poor mothers with work life experiences, including through plantations for organic/biodynamic cultivations to raise their families. The research will be done as an integrated work between concept development (theory) and field work at site (practice). Micro studies for research and action will be performed in selected communities of various African countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo (Basin), Nigeria and Mozambique as well as in Haiti/ Hispaniola and Palestine.
