Fit for eLearning? Trainings for eLearning competencies

In: conference proceedings, edulearn 2010, Barcelona 5.-7.7.2010. In order to design and tutor online and blended learning courses, trainers and teachers need to obtain appropriate qualification. In this paper different competency models for online teaching which developed in Germany 2005 – 2008 will be addressed as well as different settings to qualify teachers and trainers appropriately. Finally the results of an evaluation of two different training settings will be presented in order to compare an in house versus a transorganisational training program

Improving the Institutional Structures for Disseminating Energy Efficiency in Emerging Nations: Energy Agencies in South Africa

Emerging nations are typically characterized by high energy intensities despite significant energy efficiency potentials and numerous project oriented efforts to introduce energy-efficient technologies. The paper argues that successful technology dissemination needs appropriate institutional structures to reduce the related transaction cost. While a project-by-project approach risks to evaporate after completion, an energy agency would allow to bundle the know-how and information gained, ease access to funding and thus reduce information search cost and increase availability of efficient technologies. In a case study for South Africa, we examine the appropriateness of this concept for emerging nations. We discuss the underlying incentive problem from a New Institutional Economics perspective and suggest an approach to the design and implementation of operable energy agencies.Energy efficiency, energy agency, emerging nations, South Africa, New Institutional Economics

Bridging East and West: Re-examining the notion of corporate governance in explaining institutional change

The paper discusses the theoretical framework for cross-national research on corporate governance. Although the field of corporate governance is largely explored, the existing analyses focus rather on advanced economies and detailed comparisons between them, and sometimes try to apply the same theoretical framework to other countries. However, the development of a sound governance structure in ’catching-up’ economies is typically affected by the political process of reforms. Quite often informal institutions, which still exist in the political proceedings, undermine formal settings of governance existing in these countries. The paper starts with the assumption that considerations of corporate governance in the .East - West. comparisons can not neglect a broad perspective of the political nature of governance arrangements both formal and informal. It also examines the adequacy of ’path-dependency’ approaches. It adds to the perspective of .Varieties of Capitalism. some dimensions which make this perspective more sensitive towards .East - West. analyses. --

Animal health of ruminants: A summary of research conducted under the German Federal Programme for Organic Agriculture and other forms of Sustainable Agriculture

Between 2002 and 2003, a survey established the status quo of organic dairy and beef production. A questionnaire was sent to 750 farms, supplemented by an on-site survey of 100 farms that supplied data on livestock performance, profitability, feeding, animal health and housing conditions. In a num-ber of the 74 dairy farms investigated, deficiencies regarding animal welfare were found, because recommendations for disease prevention had been implemented poorly. In the production of suckler cows only a few problems were identified; the main obstacle to further development of organic cattle rearing was considered to be the low prices paid to producers. A further study looked at what preventive measures against the major disease groups of mastitis, lameness, metabolic disorders were used in organic dairy farming, collected data on the actual animal health situation and developed preventive animal health concepts that were made available to advisory services. In the same period, a study of the effect of homeopathic remedies for mastitis in dairy cows showed that the use of dry-cow antibiotics can be reduced, but their use cannot be fully eliminated in problem cases. Another status analysis from 2003 to 2004 focused on the state of knowledge on issues such as mastitis, fertility, metabolism and claw disorders in dairy cows and selected diseases in pigs and poultry. The surveys showed that the health status of animals in the organic livestock was not signifi-cantly different from that in conventional animal production and that there was a relatively high inci-dence rate, regardless of the production method. Between 2004 and 2005, a vulnerability assess-ment of the acute need for improvement focusing on small ruminants was carried out, leading to various recommendations. In 2007, building on the previous results, a large, interdisciplinary collaborative project on the health and performance of dairy cows was set up. At the same time the CORE Organic project on health planning for dairy cows (ANIPLAN) was running (also in the UK). The German subproject included the aims to develop animal-health-and-welfare plans (AHW plans) for organic dairy farming, the monitoring of health and welfare of dairy cattle, and the development of advisory tools, including the initiation of regional ‘stable schools’ as an innovative means of communication on the subject of animal health and animal welfare. A further project on stable schools is still ongoing. In 2009, a project was initiated to assist farmers in grazing management with the help of a web-based decision-tree tool. The aim of another ongoing project is to improve udder health in dairy goats by identifying appropriate indicators for the early detection of subclinical mastitis. Further results from the BÖLN research on animal health in ruminants are continuously published at www.bundesprogramm-oekolandbau.de

Encourage. Empowering People. Annual Report 2012

Peter Löscher, President of the Siemens Stiftung Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Board: Siemens Stiftung aims to contribute to positive changes in society with technical solutions, concrete concepts, and platforms for knowledge transfer. Cooperating with various stakeholders is a fundamental requirement for increasing the impact of its projects and anchoring them for the long term. For that reason, Siemens Stiftung seeks to cooperate with other foundations and non-governmental organizations as well as with government institutions, businesses, and the scientific community. Partnerships allow complementary approaches, skills, and resources to be bundled and sustainable programs to be developed. The previous fiscal year, in particular, delivers impressive examples of how such partnership models can increase the effectiveness of project work

From Planning to Implementation? The Role of Climate Change Adaptation Plans to Tackle Heat Stress: A Case Study of Berlin, Germany

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.Global climate change increases the necessity for mid-latitude cities to tackle urban heat. Climate change adaptation plans are common policy mechanisms to approach the issue. This paper studies the city climate development plan (StEP Klima) of Berlin, Germany, by using Constellation Analysis. We analyzed to what extent StEP Klima might trigger planning and governance processes for the implementation of heat stress measures. Berlin’s plan brought attention to the local risks of urban heat and possible strategies. To translate its aims into decision makers’ everyday governance and planning practice, institutionalized guidance and an activation of policy instruments is needed.DFG, 197674476, FOR 1736: Stadtklima und Hitzestress in Städten der Mittelbreiten in Anbetracht des Klimawandels (UCaHS

Plant protection in organic apple production: A summary of research conducted under the German Federal Programme for Organic Agriculture and other forms of Sustainable Agriculture

In this focus area, research projects were carried out on two main subjects: apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and codling moth (Cydia pomonella). Scab control projects started in 2002, projects on codling moth control in 2006, and research on both topics has intensified since 2010. From the be-ginning, the search for alternative materials for scab control was prioritised, since the use of copper as a treatment for scab is going to be restricted in the future, and the efficiency of materials approved for treating organic apples has often been too low in the past to prevent significant yield losses. Alternative materials were tested and compared, including materials from Inula viscosa, Quillaja saponaria bark, citrus species and Saponaria officinalis. These plant-derived products were able to significantly reduce ascospore potential of scab in greenhouse experiments. The combination of Quillaja saponin and sulphur reduced scab very strongly. The combination of citrus extract with GREEMAX and BIOPLUSS as adhesives had a similar effect as a quantity of 400g Cu/ha (applied as copper oxychloride) in field trials. Targeted treatments with lime sulphur during the time of sporulation were found to represent a good and safe alternative. Gloeosporium infestation was significantly reduced by additional MycoSin treatments before harvest. Furthermore, autumn foliage removal with leaf blowers, and the promotion of earthworm activity was tested to reduce fungal inoculum. The aim of these studies was to identify ecologically compatible substances that lead to a reduction of scab infestation. Based on the initial results of the past years, on-going projects are investigating new alternative methods, application techniques and other solutions for the reduction of copper use in organic apple production. In recent years, codling moth populations have appeared that showed low susceptibility to the com-monly used codling moth granulovirus (CpGV) preparations, and thus cannot be properly controlled with this treatment. Following research that clarified and described the unusual inheritance of virus resistance in codling moth, new CpGV isolates were developed that are able to break this resistance. Commercial farms with CpGV resistance or suspected resistance are recommended to use the new, resistance-breaking virus isolates. In on-going experiments, other methods of codling moth control are being tested, such as the use of nematodes and Trichogramma wasps. Investigation of the indi-viduals resistant to new and other potential isolates of CpGV as well as a risk assessment regarding resistance development are prioritised in the current projects. Further results from the BÖLN research on pest management in organic fruit growing are regularly published at www.bundesprogramm-oekolandbau.de