School system abroad is centre of attention at first International Educational Festival in Berlin

Representatives from the world of politics, the economy, culture and education both from home and abroad followed the invitation by the Foreign Office to meet at the Allianz Stiftungsforum in Berlin in order to discuss the potential of the German school system abroad.

Federal Foreign Minister Dr Guido Westerwelle called the foreign culture and education policy "a cornerstone of our foreign policy". He continued to say that education was the most important resource in the times of globalisation and this was the reason why it was his declared goal to promote the resource of education not only within his own country, "with the help of the foreign culture and education policy, Germany creates trust and builds sustainable networks."

The event's host, Minister of State Cornelia Pieper, stressed in particular the role of the German schools abroad, which "have developed increasingly important functions as beacons and bridges for Germany within the host country over the course of the past decades." The aim of the first International Educational Festival therefore was to raise attention for the potential of these schools also in Germany itself. It was to create a closer interrelationship between the economy, politics and future skilled workforce from abroad, said the Minister of State.

The Educational Festival also provided the starting signal for the "Excellence Initiative Innovative Learning", which was initiated by the Foreign Office and which is to awaken pupils' interest in studying mathematics, computer sciences, natural sciences and technology. Other goals include the interdisciplinary communication of media competence as a prerequisite for participation in learning programmes in the virtual realm as well as entrepreneurial thinking. During the festival, Minister of State Pieper awarded five German schools abroad satisfying the vision already now with their innovative projects.