Young voices from Germany and Israel
At the German-Israeli Youth Congress, young people will develop future prospects for relations between their two countries.
“You get a completely different picture when you personally get to know people from a country,” says Alon Spitzer. The 21-year-old Israeli took part in a film on the importance of German-Israeli youth exchange and was enthusiastic about the intensive cooperation between the 20 participants from Israel and Germany. The project, called “Spotlight on ... 50 Years Israel & Germany”, has generated a whole series of short films that paint a very lively picture of German-Israeli relations.
The ConAct Coordination Centre and the Israel Youth Exchange Authority (IYEA) kicked off their joint projects for the anniversary year of German-Israeli relations with the Short Film Workshop. ConAct, which is based in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, was set up by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). It is supported by the Länder Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. For 14 years now it has been cooperating closely with the Israeli partner office; with a special budget from the Federal Foreign Office it funds about 300 exchange projects a year with more than 7,000 participants.
From football to the cinema: partnership with many facets
On a visit to Israel in 2001, Johannes Rau, then Federal President of Germany, had encouraged Germany and Israel to broaden and deepen youth contacts. This initiative led to the development of a dynamic and multifaceted exchange scheme. There is a wide spectrum of participating partners: scouts and musicians, municipal institutions, sports clubs, political youth associations and organizations to promote peace. Many of them will be presenting their joint theatre projects, short films, exhibitions or concerts at the German-Israeli Youth Congress in Berlin.
At the bilateral congress, young people from both countries will discuss German-Israeli relations and their significance for the young generations. It will be the BMFSFJ’s central event celebrating the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago.
German-Israeli Youth Congress from 8 to 12 May 2015 in Berlin
50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany on 12 May 2015.
