News from Berlin

World Congress of German Schools Abroad

June 12th, 2014
German Schools Abroad_Steinmeier.jpg

News from Berlin – Last week Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier inaugurated the four-day World Congress of German Schools Abroad in Berlin. The Congress, which was attended by representatives of approximately 140 schools from over 70 countries, focused on the slogan ‘Worldwide Education. Worldwide Opportunities’ this year.

In his speech, Steinmeier elaborated on the role of German schools abroad, stating that it was his and the Federal Foreign Office’s view,  that  they function as an elementary component of German foreign policy, rather than simply for the sake of decoration or embellishment. He further expressed his wish to carry on former chancellor Willy Brandt’s initiatives on cultural relations and education policy, something that became a third pillar and one that he would personally like to see strengthened again. A recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute demonstrates that Germany is the most connected country in the world – not only because of its export industry, but also with regards to digital data flows and human migration. As Steinmeier argued, this connectedness is changing both the world and his respective country, which is why to him education policy means to learn for the world as much as to learn from the world.

The congress also highlighted the introduction of the ‘German Schools Abroad Act’ on the 1st of January 2014, allowing them a legal claim to  government funding.

More Information about the World Congress of German Schools Abroad: http://www.weltkongress2014.de

News from Berlin – Berlin Global