Aart De Geus und Peter Limbourg

Winners and Losers of Global Development

Separation of powers, corruption and economic growth are all seemingly abstract concepts. But these factors shape everyday life for billions of people, and they're crucial to the success of the democratic model. "Secrets of Transformation," a series produced by Deutsche Welle, shows how people in developing and transition countries experience global change.

 

Contact

Why have efforts to combat corruption been more successful in Liberia than in Ukraine? Is there a strategy behind Bolivia's economic growth? Why has Pakistan experienced economic stagnation? Why is the separation of powers weakening in Hungary yet growing stronger in Indonesia? Reporters from Germany's international news agency have been investigating these issues by carrying out research on site, speaking with government officials, opposition leaders, activists and others. Video profiles and picture galleries provide information on the people impacted by transformation.

Meet people like the Hungarian journalist Támas Bodoky, whose office was searched by the police just before we started filming, and Luis Arce Catacora, Bolivia's minister of economy and finance, who explains his country's partially socialist model. We also hear from Galina Tallach, a Ukrainian who tells us how she had to spend all her savings on a cancer operation. Had she not paid the authorities, she would not have received treatment. Her husband, also a cancer sufferer, could not be saved.

The BTI is a tremendously rich source for ambitious journalism

Peter Limbourg, Director General of Deutschen Welle (DW)

The DW correspondents and reporters traveled eight countries on four continents and concentrated on key aspects of transformation. The series featured the topics "separation of powers", "fighting corruption", "inclusive economic growth" and "freedom of expression". Data from the BTI served as a compass during the research, highlighting  the long-term winners and losers. The stories  put a face on the statistics and looked at how people have experienced change and what exactly leads to success and what leads to failure.