Internationalism and future of multilateralism

A speaker stands at a podium addressing an audience during a public policy panel discussion. Four panelists are seated on teal armchairs beside a coffee table with water bottles, while attendees listen from the audience. A large presentation screen displays the title, "Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition," and banners for the event organizers stand behind the podium, indicating a forum on international relations and Africa's role in a changing global order. — Creator: Exquisite Motivity (ExMotivity)

The fundamental crises of our time ask for international responses. International relations are too important to be left to governments or foreign policy experts alone. FES supports progressive voices from labour, feminist, climate and other social movements to engage in debates about South Africa’s international engagements. FES thereby aims to bring issues of political economy and social justice to what is often a narrow foreign-policy agenda. Secondly, using its global network, FES promotes international dialog amongst progressives. The aim is not only to foster international understanding but also to build progressive international alliances for a more inclusive and just multilateral order.

Occasional Paper Series

South African Political Parties Face the World in an Election Year: A Foreign Policy Panel Discussion

This year South Africa celebrates 25 years of its democratic breakthrough. It’s a significant milestone as the country remains fairly stable.

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Caught between Afro - Southern Solidarism and Liberal Cosmopolitan values: Four Turning points in South Africa’s Human Rights Foreign Policy

South Africa’s foreign policy is entrapped: it is trapped between Afro-Southern (or Africa-South-South) solidarism, on the one hand, and lofty liberal cosmopolitan values, including human rights, on the other.

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Events

News
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Socio Economic
Internationalism and future of multilateralism

South Africa’s trade union Federations to Host L20 Summit ahead of G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

Media Statement

Event
Internationalism and future of multilateralism

International Day for Women in Diplomacy

Commemorating the UN International Dat for Women in Diplomacy

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Internationalism and future of multilateralism

Colloquium on Progressive Internationalism

"There shall be Peace and Friendship”: Contextual considerations for Advancing Progressive Internationalism in the current geopolitical (dis)order.

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Recent Publications

Gendered impacts - blind responses

Dommen, Caroline | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

the 2025 Tariff crisis and the case for gender transformative reforms

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Gendered costs of the US tariff shock in South Africa's export citrus sector

Naidu, Vahini ; Bagooro, Sylvester Wullo | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

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Forging strong alliances

Adotey Buckman, David ; Essien, Lucy Abotare ; Meissner, Kathrin | Johannesburg : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Trade Union Competence Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa, [2024]

trade unions uniting across Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany

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The quest for equitable multilateralism

Mbete, Sithembile | Johannesburg : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, [2024]

mapping South African interests in reforming the global order

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A diverse group of around 20 young people pose together inside a museum or exhibition space with wooden floors and white walls. Some are standing while others sit on the floor, smiling and looking at the camera. Several wear event badges on lanyards. Behind them is a large black-and-white historical photograph and two portrait displays mounted on the wall, creating a sense of learning, heritage, and collective engagement. — Creator: Xara Fourie

Youth Leadership programme

Over the course of one year, 25 young leaders grapple with the challenges facing South African society and imagine alternative pathways out of SA’s crises in the Fort Hare Autumn School.