xPrevious Articles

News from Berlin

The UK-German Connection: Building Bridges between Young People from Germany and Britain

June 16th, 2014
The UK-German Connection Building Bridges between Young People from Germany and Britain.jpg

News from Berlin - It is well known that the UK and Germany have had a close, albeit sometimes strained relationship throughout history. Today however, the relationship between the two states is arguably at a peak, unsurprising given the fact Britain is Germany’s biggest trading partner as of 2013 and the importance the UK attaches to Germany as a partner in reforming the EU.

Shared educational exchange is an area of great importance between the two states. Historically British universities have always hosted a great deal of German students, but in recent years growing numbers of students have flocked to Germany to take advantage of their excellent educational opportunities.

The ‘UK-German connection’ perhaps best epitomises this exchange. The organisation aims to facilitate inter-cultural dialogue through ‘increasing contacts and understanding between young people in the UK and Germany’. In an increasingly globalised world, the UK-German Connection also aims to equip young people with essential life skills, allowing them flourish in a diverse workplace through working with members of different cultures.

Through a multi-faceted approach, the UK-German connection works with all levels of education, as well as youth groups, further educational institutions and local authorities both in the UK and Germany to achieve their goals. The organisation also provides invaluable grants to schools and scholarships for students to provide opportunities to promote dialogue and actively engage students from Germany and the UK.

They provide a portal for youth activities by organising events, notably the ‘UK-German Youth Seminar’ in March 2013. To complement the seminar, the organisation has set up a magazine, ‘Still and Sparkling’, with young contributors from Germany and the UK. Both activities aim to bring individuals from both states to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of living in the 21st Century and the shared role young people have to play in combating them.

You can read more about the activities of the UK-German Connection by visiting their website: http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/home

 

News from Berlin - Berlin Global