Berliner Innenstadt in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Die Geschichte des Ministeriums
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History of the Ministry
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
1. Die Geschichte des Ministeriums / History of the Ministry Marker
Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist seit 1952 in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit tätig. 1956 wurde ein erster Fonds mit 50 Millionen Deutsche Mark für die Entwicklungszusammenarbeit eingerichtet. Deren wachsende Bedeutung und die Komplexität des Arbeitsbereichs führten dazu, dass die Bundesregierung am 14. November 1961 ein eigenes „Ministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit“ einrichtete.
1952–1970 Zunächst stand die Förderung des Wirtschaftswachstums der Partnerländer im Vordergrund. Ab Ende der 1960er Jahre war das Ziel, die Lebensqualität in den Entwicklungsländern zu verbessern. Dies erfolgte zum Beispiel durch den Zugang zu Gesundheitsversorgung, durch Bildungsangebote und die Möglichkeit, an politischen Prozessen teilzunehmen.
1970–1990 Angesichts der Ölkrise und der Weltwirtschaftskrise verschärften sich die Gegensätze zwischen armen und reichen Ländern. Weitere Wirtschaftskrisen, der Verfall von Rohstoffpreisen, die Ausbreitung von AIDS, wachsender Drogenhandel, die Umweltzerstörung und die zunehmende Verschuldung vieler „Entwicklungsländer“ führten zu einem Umdenken in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit. Zudem wuchs das Bewusstsein, dass die Entwicklung in den ärmeren Ländern auch von Veränderungen in den Industrieländern abhängig ist.
1990 bis heute Die Politik des wiedervereinigten Deutschlands berücksichtigte nun die entwicklungspolitische Arbeit beider Systeme. Gleichzeitig wurden neue politische Grundsätze für die Zusammenarbeit festgelegt. Sie forderten unter anderem, dass die Partnerländer die Menschenrechte und demokratische Prinzipien beachten und vor allem die soziale Lage der armen Bevölkerung berücksichtigen müssen. Zusätzliche Aufgaben und ein umfassenderes Verständnis von Entwicklung haben 1993 zu einer Erweiterung des Namens in „Bundesministerium
this page online
Ministerinnen und Minister
Reem Alabali-Radovan, 2025– • Svenja Schulze, 2021–2025 • Dr. Gerd Müller, 2013–2021 • Dirk Niebel, 2009–2013 • Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, 1998–2009 • Carl-Dieter Spranger, 1991–1998 • Hans Klein, 1987–1989 • Jürgen Warnke, 1982–1987 und 1989–1991 • Rainer Offergeld, 1978–1982
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
2. Die Geschichte des Ministeriums / History of the Ministry Marker
The marker on the right side is the Das Europahaus marker.
The Federal Republic of Germany has been engaged in development cooperation since 1952. The first development cooperation fund, equipped with capital of 50 million deutschmarks, was established in 1956. In view of the growing significance and the increasing complexity of development work, the German government set up an independent “Ministry for Economic Cooperation” on 14 November 1961.
1952–1970 Initially, the Ministry focused on promoting economic growth in its partner countries. From the late 1960s, its work was targeted at improving the quality of life of people in developing countries, for example by providing access to health care and education and by enabling the population to participate in political processes.
1970–1990 Following the oil crisis and the recession, the gap between poor and rich countries grew wider. Further economic crises, plummeting commodity prices, the spread of AIDS, growing drug trafficking, environmental degradation and
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
3. Die Geschichte des Ministeriums / History of the Ministry Marker (Left Side)
1990 until today The newly reunified Germany now brought together the development policy work of both political systems. At the same time, new policies for cooperation were defined. According to those new policies, partner countries must, for example, observe human rights and democratic principles and take into account in particular the social situation of the poor. Additional responsibilities and a broader understanding of development led to the renaming of the BMZ in “Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development” in 1993. Today, development policy is above all an instrument which, together with other policy fields of the German government, can help establish the conditions needed to create a more just world. Development policy is regarded and implemented as structural and peace policy. An important step in that concept was the admission of the BMZ to the Federal Security Council in 1998. An international milestone for the Ministry was the adoption in 2015 of the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, since it is the BMZ that is responsible for helping to implement the Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They are about achieving a life in dignity for all people of the world, fighting hunger and poverty, and promoting global health, education and gender equality. Germany’s development policy, operating in tandem with foreign and defence policy, is focused on security, stability and peace.
Ministers
Reem Alabali-Radovan, 2025– • Svenja Schulze, 2021–2025 • Dr. Gerd Müller, 2013–2021 • Dirk Niebel, 2009–2013 • Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, 1998–2009 • Carl-Dieter Spranger, 1991–1998 • Hans Klein, 1987–1989 • Jürgen Warnke, 1982–1987 and 1989–1991 • Rainer Offergeld, 1978–1982 • Marie Schlei, 1976–1978 • Egon Bahr, 1974–1976 • Erhard Eppler, 1968–1974 • Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski, 1966–1968 • Walter Scheel, 1961–1966
Erected 2025 by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Design: neues handeln AG.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is November 14, 1961.
Location. 52° 30.331′ N, 13° 22.886′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. It is in Berliner Innenstadt. It is on Stresemannstraße just north of Bernburger Str., on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Stresemannstraße 94, Berlin 10963, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire, the former West Germany, and at the Berlin Wall.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Das Europahaus (here, next to this marker); Das „Hausgefängnis“ der Gestapo-Zentrale / The “House Prison” at Gestapo Headquarters (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Das Hausgefängnis des Geheimen Staatspolizeiamts (about 150 meters away); Myra Warhaftig (about 150 meters away); Baudenkmal Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Monument (about 180 meters away); Europahaus-Komplex / Europahaus Complex (about 180 meters away); Remains of the Berlin Wall (about 180 meters away); NS-Luftschutzbauten / Nazi Air Raid Protection Structures (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
