2nd International Diplomats Programme

February 24, 2010, Berlin

The International Diplomats Programme invites young diplomats from the Near and Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia to experience Germany from a variety of perspectives.

During informational visits and expert talks, the participants have the opportunity to talk to a variety of public figures: They met politicians such as former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, chief administrators such as Frank Weise, head of the Federal Employment Agency, and Marianne Birthler, the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Archives, visited innovative IT or environmental technology companies, but also traditional industrial companies such as EADS and Wintershall, and dealt with citizens’ initiatives, integration (e.g. during a conversation with a school principal and students in Berlin-Neukölln) or international understanding through culture (with Daniel Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra).

Through this wide range of high-quality first-hand information, the participants are introduced to many job-relevant aspects and gain insights that go beyond their daily job routine. The young diplomats thus receive new ideas and inspiration and gain competent partners. The program increases their possibilities for cooperation, their options and career opportunities by means of a modern “Diplomacy by Networking.” The program is headed by a former German Ambassador who, drawing on his long experience and regional knowledge, provides both expert and personal guidance for the participants throughout the program year.

Opening

February 24, 2010, Berlin

The International Diplomats Programme was launched by State Secretary Wolf-Ruthart Born in the Europa-Saal of the Federal Foreign Office on 24 February 2010. The lecture was given by Jan Roß, Foreign Policy Coordinator, DIE ZEIT on "Interacting with Islam and the Muslim World as a challenge for Europe's foreign and domestic policy makers".