Ama Lorenz

‘Cashew means future’ in Swahili
Cashew nuts: They are not only meant to make you happy but also to strengthen the heart. On average, every European consumes an average of one kilo of this nut per year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Survey on organic food: What’s behind the hype?
Survey: The demand for organic products is rising in Germany. Is this all just marketing is there more behind this increase in turnover. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Wanted: New forms of trade partnership with Africa
After several months of different European leaders beating a path to the African continent, Jean-Claude Juncker’s European Commission has got in on the act. But for the moment, Brussels is not offering anything new on either trade or investment.
The digital farmers’ market
Farmers being in direct contact with the consumers and setting their prices independently, without having to submit to the wholesale market dictate - sounds like going back to the roots of agricultural markets. Behind this, however, is a model with a genuinely promising future. EURACTIV.de reports.
A fateful week for the Chancellor
Chancellor Angela Merkel's presumably last term in office appears to be by far the hardest of her career. EURACTIV Germany looks at the crucial week ahead.
Integration through language
Five years ago, the founders of ‘Teachers on the Road’ started visiting fifty refugee homes in the German states Rhineland-Palatine and Hesse. A lot has changed since then – and not always for the better. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France and Germany going through a rough patch
Neither France nor Germany is ready to acknowledge a cooling down in their relationship. But the German government's complete lack of flexibility is ruffling the feathers of the French side. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Merkel forced to make ‘painful decisions’ on minister wishlist
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) will hold a special party convention today, during which the CDU base will vote on the coalition agreement. In advance, Merkel has announced her picks for ministerial posts. EURACTIV Germany reports.
A small setback for intensive agriculture in Africa
Frequently criticised, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition just lost France’s financial support. For now, the project aimed at helping Africa's agriculture is still supported by Germany and the EU. EURACTIV.fr reports
Trans-Europe Express – Merkel can’t reform the EU alone
Since September 2017, one question has been weighing on Europe’s mind: What is actually going on in Germany?
German coalition deal: Reactions range between restraint and scepticism
“Tired, but satisfied,” the SPD negotiating team tweeted after an agreement on the new German government coalition was reached at noon on Wednesday. But the details of the deal might dissatisfy the party's base. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German coalition agreement: No breakthrough for Europe yet
After a week of talks, German coalition negotiators agreed on the cornerstones of their new programme. But when a new government could actively participate in meaningful EU reform is still uncertain. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Survey: agriculture and environmental protection – an odd couple?
Agriculture accounts for a great share of greenhouse gas emissions. EURACTIV Germany has asked participants of the Grüne Woche fair in Berlin how the CAP can help reach the Paris climate goals.
Wood from German forests as climate-neutral fuel?
Germany is the EU's richest country in forest and wood. According to European Commision plans, German forests are meant to be used much more as energy sources in the future. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Dual vocational education and training in Germany – a blue print for Europe?
To tackle the continuously high youth unemployment in Europe, the EU has introduced a range of initiatives and so-called “guarantees”. A long term strategy could contain the adaptation of a dual education system in other EU member states, which has hold up well in Germany so far. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Inner-African development goals instead of inner-African borders
During the AU-EU summit, the Commission outlined plans for its future development policy. However, it remains open how it intends to ensure that the European Development Goals in the future are not primarily a reward for migration control measures. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German coalition talks: ‘Speed-dating’ for old partners
Five days have been scheduled for exploratory talks between the CDU, CSU and SPD to negotiate the formation of a new German government. In case there is a common declaration at the end of the negotiation marathon, it nevertheless is still unclear, if the parties will agree to form a government coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Ghana’s president surprised Macron with a clear rejection of development aid
After the AU-EU summit in Abidjan, French President Emmanuel Macron visited several African states, including Ghana. Unlike other African heads of state, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has a clear vision how to make his country independent from development aid. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Trans-Europe Express: German coalition talks – Blessing or curse for Europe?
Many saw the last German government as a tanker ship cruising stolidly and unswervingly through the stormy seas of world politics. But in the past few weeks, it has looked like the German ship and Captain Angela Merkel are about to start rolling and listing.
Post-Jamaica collapse: Germany’s EU policymaking clout on the back-burner
After talks between Germany's four main political parties collapsed, the acting government's capacity to participate in EU-level decisions is limited. But important progress still needs to be made to pursue the reform process within the EU. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU-Africa strategy: An incentive for development?
After “years of indifference” and one of the biggest waves of migration to ever hit Europe, Africa now tops the political agenda. That means a new strategy has to be found, according to the European Parliament. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief: The ‘Made in Germany’ bottleneck
It was almost indifference with which the international public seemed to take notice of the election results in Germany. The only important thing, it seemed, was that Angela Merkel, albeit scarcely, managed to climb to the top again. Especially because for Europe, the German chancellor stands for stability.
MEP on EU-Turkey deal: Processing of asylum applications is being delayed
More than a year since the EU-Turkey Agreement, a European immigration law is still distant but badly needed. The European distribution mechanism does not work due to the lack of receptiveness of many EU member states, MEP Barbara Lochbihler told EURACTIV Germany.