Author: marten
Back to homepage
marten
IFC: The Art and Science of Benefits Sharing
Non-renewable natural resource projects – that is oil, gas, and minerals – are usually seen as part of a nation’s wealth. Accordingly, their use for the long-term sustainable development of a country is a prime objective of any legitimate government.
Read More
Luisa Nenci, CEO of SustainValues: A Capital Market Union or a Sustainable Financial Market?
In his political guidelines for the next European Commission, President Jean-Claude Juncker pushed for the establishment of a capital market union. Such a union should develop and integrate capital markets in order to cut the cost of raising capital. This
Read More
Russia – Moving Borders Politely
Vladimir Putin’s index finger is hovering over the, presumably red, button that activates nuclear Armageddon. The president of Russia threatened to bring the finger down should NATO further reinforce its defence of the Baltic States or make any attempt, covert
Read More
Natalia Vodianova: Rags to Riches Russian Style
Her face has graced the cover of all the major magazines, from Cosmopolitan to Marie Claire to Vogue in its many incarnations. Natalia Vodianova is one of the world’s top-earning models and the protagonist of a rags to riches fairy
Read More
A Memorable Faux Pas: Warren Buffett Gets His Facts Wrong
Billionaire investor guru Warren Buffett has come to the defence of the American Dream – the promise of intergenerational upward social mobility enabled by a society that values hard work and knows few, if any, barriers. Usually quite sensible, spirited,
Read More
Stealth at the Helm: The Manifest Destiny of Angela Merkel
As the Greek debt crisis inches to its climax, the euro’s guardians soften their tone of voice; not quite so sure any longer that contagion – and financial Armageddon – may yet be avoided. Over the past few weeks, the
Read More
DEG: Turkey – Growth Market and Bridge to the East
Turkey was long considered especially promising in the group of emerging-market countries. However, political developments and Turkey’s susceptibility to recent turmoil in financial markets means that the perception has now shifted. But which is the correct impression? Do current political
Read More
Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck: Life outside the Comfort Zone
You have geniuses and then you have Florian Maria Georg Christian Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck; filmmaker extraordinaire, fluent in five languages, pupil of Richard Attenborough (the elder brother of David), and a direct descendant of General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher,
Read More
British Referenda and Europe: Patience Is a Conquering Virtue
Afflicted by a veritable referendum craze, Britain seems set to question its very existence. In the wake of a stunning victory at the polls, the Scottish National Party (SNP) is looking to exploit its near-monopoly on politics north of The
Read More
Nigeria: An Economic Upswing Foretold
Oil prices have rebounded from their recent lows and may yet provide temporary relief to Nigeria, allowing the incoming administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to forego some of the proposed budget cuts or, alternatively, increase capital expenditure. Though market watchers
Read More