30 years of Europanetzwerk Deutsch means more than 3,000 scholarship holders from 39 countries, over 240 EU courses in Germany, more than 15,000 hours of German learning and specialist discussions with experts, and more than 1,000 individuals from the European environment connected each year.
Since 1994, EU officals and ministry officials have experienced the first-hand benefits of multilingualism and European cooperation in face-to-face and digital course and event formats. The motto of our anniversary year was "The Future of Europe". In addition to our popular formats, a number of special events also took place.
Congratulations from EU commissioner (ret.) Iliana Ivanova (ret.)
Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (ret.) and alumna of the Europanetzwerk Deutsch, congratulated on its 30th anniversary. Here you can hear and see the importance she attaches to multilingualism and the German language in European communication and for what she is still grateful to Europanetzwerk Deutsch.
"For me, Europanetzwerk Deutsch is the perfect example of how Europe should work together because it is well organized with a flair for diversity, inclusive and purposeful." (Francesca Siniscalchi, European Commission)
“For me, linguistic diversity in Europe is a reflection of a broader history shared under the principles of peace and unity, because each language keeps this unity alive.” (Beyza Karatas, College of Europe Natolin)
A special highlight was the celebratory evening to mark the program's 30th anniversary at Kloster Eberbach with State Secretary Uwe Becker and the Goethe-Institut's EU Representative Elke Kaschl-Mohni.
“The Goethe-Institut is a place where we can better understand German culture and language, but also make new acquaintances.” (Juraj Bezuh, Permanent Representation of Croatia to the European Union)
“For me, the Europanetzwerk Deutsch is an opportunity to improve my German and meet new people because it is very professionally organized.” (Žarko Vojnić, State Audit Office of Serbia)
Alumni of Europanetzwerk Deutsch, students of College of Europe Natolin and other friends of German language came together in Warsaw for a German-Polish networking evening.
The panel included Viktor Elbling, German Ambassador to Poland (left), Justyna Szczepanowska-Bielicka, Chancellery of the Polish Prime Minister and alumna of Europanetzwerk Deutsch (in the middle) as well as Marek Prawda, Polish Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (right), who discussed German-Polish relations.
“For me, German-Polish cooperation is past, present and future, because it connects, forgets and makes amends.” (Magdalena Sroka Barwińska, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland)
“German-Polish cooperation is a great life experience for me and a lesson in tolerance and mutual understanding, because as a participant in the Europanetzwerk Deutsch and Erasmus program, I believe that it is the best thing that could have happened to me to understand German-Polish relations.” (Katarzyna Czerwińska-Walerowicz, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Poland)
"If we see linguistic diversity in Europe as an opportunity, we can better understand and communicate our traditions, identity and cultural heritage and make contact with other cultures more easily." (Vania Ivanova, European Commission)
"For me, Europanetzwerk Deutsch is particularly important because it gives me the opportunity to make new contacts and get to know German society better." (Angel Kalinov, Court of Justice of the European Union)
"For me, Europanetzwerk Deutsch is a new world, because the German language has opened a new window." (Sonya Staykova, Supervisory Authority to the Supreme Judicial Council Bulgaria)
In addition to language courses and cultural events, the Europanetzwerk Deutsch also organizes regular alumni meetings to maintain the network. At one of our meetings, we asked the participants what they appreciate in the program...
Cristina Asturias works in the European Commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Here you can hear why she is taking part in the Europanetzwerk Deutsch program for years...
Oleg Dmitrijev works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia and is enthusiastic about the Europanetzwerk Deutsch. He wanted to improve his language skills and learn more about Germany's foreign policy and has learned a lot more...
Emmanuelle de Foy works at the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs. She explains why the Europanetzwerk Deutsch is an important instrument of European diplomacy for her...
Dr. Francesca Siniscalchi works for the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Here she unfolds why she believes that the Europanetzwerk Deutsch courses teach what it means to be European...
Magdalena Sroka-Barwińska works at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland. She associates the Europanetzwerk Deutsch with new friendships and unique experiences. Find out why she would recommend taking part...
Martin Kotthaus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Belgium, supports with the Europanetzwerk Deutsch for many years. Listen here to find out why he considers the program to be an investment... (You can find the complete interview here.)
