The focus was on the pandemic-related strains and uncertainties at German schools abroad and branches of the Goethe-Institut, but also at branches of the German Academic Exchange Service and many partner organisations. Over 1,500 employees were brought home under the Federal Foreign Office’s repatriation action, but many continue to teach at German schools abroad and at branches of the Goethe-Institut, even under the most challenging conditions.

Goethe-Institut and German schools abroad received support

In view of the difficult financial circumstances resulting from the pandemic for the Goethe-Institut and German schools abroad in particular, the Federal Government made available additional funding of 139.2 million euros in order to prevent insolvency and maintain important educational and cultural infrastructure abroad.

500,000 young people got involved in online cultural programme

The cultural programme during Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union focused specifically on digital events. “Earth Speakr”, an artwork initiated by European artist Olafur Eliasson, who was commissioned by the Federal Government, enabled children and young people throughout Europe to express their opinions on urgent issues and take part in a creative process. More than 500,000 young people got involved using the app and the website.

Transformation partnership with North Africa

The transformation partnership with the countries of North Africa and the Middle East contributed to democratisation and reform processes with a total of almost 80 projects in areas such as civil society participation, advanced training and upgrading, and the award of scholarships. Some 19.41 million euros was available for this work in 2020.

With a view to the tenth anniversary of the Arab Spring in 2021, a new strategic direction was also elaborated for the transformation partnership.

Germany Year in Russia strengthens civil society in politically difficult times

Another priority of cultural and education policy abroad is the strengthening of cooperation and exchange at civil society level. In 2020 cooperation was extended with Russia and Eastern Partnership countries. For this, an increased budget of 20 million euros was provided for 170 projects to strengthen civil society in Eastern Partnership countries, including German-Polish cooperation projects for the first time.

Last September also saw the opening of the Germany Year 2020/2021 in Russia. It is strengthening cultural and civil society bridges, particularly during politically difficult times. 

Emergency assistance measures for Beirut

The disastrous explosion that caused widespread destruction in Beirut on 4 August 2020 also hit creative and cultural facilities, archives and workshops. The Federal Government thus approved funding to set up a mechanism to save cultural assets under the aegis of the German Archaeological Institute, as “emergency assistance”. The mechanism is to make it possible to mobilise experts swiftly to protect cultural assets.

Fight against racism and right-wing extremism

A whole series of measures to fight racism and right-wing extremism in the field of cultural and education policy abroad have been included in the list of measures drawn up by the Cabinet Committee. This establishes the fight against right-wing extremism as a cross-cutting task for cultural and education policy abroad, that is to culminate in a diversity strategy for cultural and education policy abroad.

On 3 March 2020, Germany assumed the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Important issues included accepting a working definition of antigypsyism and founding a Global Task Force Against Holocaust Distortion.

Looking to the future

In view of major upheavals in the world, from technological developments to global power shifts, cultural and education policy abroad will continue to innovate and evolve. The aim is to continue to promote Germany as part of a sovereign Europe based on solidarity, to strengthen Germany’s openness to the world and its force for change through international exchange and understanding, and to ensure that the model of a democratic society within a global framework remains attractive.