Our team
Online IDO 3–7 August 2020
Eduard Arnhold
Project Manager Main OfficeMy job is to coordinate communication with IDO partners, Goethe-Instituts abroad, the Goethe-Institut Dresden and the International German Teachers’ Association (IDV). I’m also in charge of public and press relations, creating marketing and communication media, and sponsoring. I coordinate the development of the contest in Germany and abroad. I’m working with the team in Dresden to organize the opening and closing events as well as the concert and award ceremony.
I often put lots of colourful stickers on and around my desk.
I particularly enjoy the multifaceted nature of this project. I’m already looking forward to the contestants in the Internationale Deutscholympiade 2020.
Contact: Eduard.Arnhold@goethe.de
Sophia Schwager
Project Assistant Main OfficeAs a member of the project team at the Goethe-Institut’s main office, I work with the project managers on the overall coordination. That includes communication with partners and the Goethe-Institut Dresden, developing contest formats, press and public relations, marketing, sponsoring and event formats such as the IDO concert and closing event.
I usually keep a notepad on my desk with pens and a cup of tea next to my PC.
The enthusiasm with which so many young people learn German all over the world really motivates me to do my best at my job for the IDO. And I’m equally motivated about bringing together these young German learners from all over the world so they can get to know one another and even become friends for many years to come.
Contact: Sophia.Schwager@goethe.de
Nivin El Sioufy
Head of language and education policy (Head Office)My job is to assist colleagues abroad in their efforts to promote German learning at schools, and to coordinate cooperation with partners in Germany.
On my desk is a headset because I'm often in touch with colleagues, whether through Skype conference calls or Adobe Connect sessions.
I particularly enjoy talking to colleagues about work and developing new ideas together for innovative projects.
Contact: Nivin.EL-Sioufy@goethe.de
Dr. Dorothea Klenke-Gerdes
Project Manager Goethe-Institut DresdenI’m responsible for managing the IDO team in Dresden and co-developing our new IDO online contest format.
On my desk is the final report on the IDO 2018 that was held in Freiburg, which went very well. We aim to build on that success and the terrific atmosphere there in this year’s virtual edition, so we’ll be putting on a whole bunch of “get-acquainted” and “join-in” activities!
I particularly enjoy working on the IDO because we can link up this one-of-a-kind contest, even in digital format, with the location in Dresden and have already succeeded in garnering so much support there. We and our whole network are delighted that so many excellent young German learners all over the world want to put their language skills to the test. They’ll be virtual guests in Dresden and will get an opportunity to discover the city online.
Contact: Dorothea.Klenke-Gerdes@goethe.de
Julia Lachenmaier
Pedagogical SupervisionIt’s my responsibility to plan the overall IDO 2020 programme together with the project managers and coordinators. I’m in touch with our cooperation partners in Dresden, gathering ideas for the leisure programme and the contest tasks. I’m working with fellow staffers to develop new, digital formats that will give young German learners exciting glimpses of cultural, student and working life in Dresden.
On my desk I have my PC to work on, a cup of espresso to help me concentrate and a perennial African violet.
I particularly enjoy working in the IDO team because I’m involved in a project that brings young people from all over the world together and creates a space for them to meet and exchange.
Contact: Julia.Lachenmaier@goethe.de
Marianne Hepp
President of the International Association of German Teachers (IDV)My job as IDV President is to work with our whole board on connections between German language teachers' associations all over the world in our umbrella organization. So, at the IDO, I focus my attention mainly on the accompanying teachers.
On my desk is a small collection of elephants from IDV member countries: they’re my daily good luck charms.
I particularly enjoy helping to build bridges between schools and university, between research and teaching. The IDO provides a unique opportunity for that.
Contact: marianne.hepp@unipi.it
Anja Epperlein
Project coordination DresdenMy responsibilities include coordinating the project team in Dresden and organizing local networking efforts to form workable partnerships with local partner institutions and prospective IDO sponsors.
I work with the project management to draw up the overall IDO programme for the young contestants. I’m delighted to be creatively involved in developing the innovative Online IDO 2020. We’re creating new formats for a varied lineup of contest and supporting events for our virtual guests.
On my desk is the new motto: "Be there! – The IDO comes to you.” I’ve also got a PC on it, a telephone and, because I don’t have enough room for them at home, lots of leafy plants and a white orchid.
I particularly enjoy working on the IDO because I’m absolutely fascinated by how many young people all over the world are learning German so enthusiastically. That’s truly impressive and it motivates me enormously to help, as part of the IDO team, to do justice to this enthusiasm and show the contestants a wonderful and unforgettable time during their virtual journey to Dresden.
Contact: Epperlein@goethe.de
Puneet Kaur
Project coordination: International German Teachers’ AssociationAs the IDV board member in charge of the Internationale Deutscholympiade, I’m delighted by our member associations’ growing interest in the IDO. The IDO is a means for us to network the associations in a totally different way. That goes for both the participating high school students and the accompanying teachers.
On my desk I always have lots of books and magazines that I need to prepare our workshops and seminars.
I particularly enjoy taking on creative projects with high school students, for which the IDO provides a unique opportunity.
Contact: kaur@idvnetz.org oder Puneet.Kaur@goethe.de
Beatrix Bartel
Administrator DresdenMy job is:
To provide support in all administrative matters
On my desk are lots of coloured pencils, because I like working colourfully, and a big calculator, because I have to crunch numbers a lot, and a funny movable wooden flower my favourite co-worker gave me.
I particularly enjoy working on the IDO, being involved in a project which, at least for a while, unites lots of people from all over the world with a shared goal: to learn and immerse themselves in German. We’ll have the world with us here at home in Dresden and we’ll be presenting ourselves to the world from Dresden – at least virtually. It makes me proud to know that it’s our German language that connects us all in this terrific project.
Contact: Beatrix.Bartel@goethe.de
Hannah Cuvalo
Press Officer: Goethe-InstitutI’m a press officer at the Goethe-Institut’s main office. Among other things, it’s my job to brief German journalists on our projects and activities around the world. That involves writing press releases, organizing press conferences and press trips, and inviting journalists to cover our various projects and events.
On my desk I have: a computer, a telephone (a wired landline, as a matter of fact), a green plant, a whole bunch of magazines and newspapers, and some Post-its with things I have to take care of.
I particularly enjoy working on the IDO because it’s an international project that brings together so many young people from all sorts
Contact: Hannah.Cuvalo@goethe.de
Dr. Michaela Perlmann-Balme
Contest DesignerMy job is to come up with problems for the contestants that will gauge their skills fairly and challenge their imagination.
On my desk is a colourful little porcupine.
What I particularly enjoy about working on the IDO is listening to contestants from all over the world conversing.
Contact: Michaela.Perlmann-Balme@goethe.de
Aimée Torre Brons
Press RelationsI’m responsible for briefing the press and media on the IDO 2020 online and setting up virtual interviews for them. So I gather information, write press releases and contact IDO contestants and project partners about giving interviews. In addition, I advise the project management on effective publicity for the IDO 2020.
On my desk are the two tools I use almost all the time: my laptop and my mobile phone. Above my desk is a photo of Machu Picchu in Peru, the country of my ancestors and my second home after Berlin.
I particularly enjoy meeting people from all over the world and working in a team. I’m really looking forward to the online Länderabend, where contestants introduce themselves and their cultures, at this year’s very special IDO.
Contact: torre@edition8.de
Nina Trinks
Social Media CommunicationI provide outside support for the IDO team through the KNE communication agency. My job is to organize and implement social media publicity by regularly posting information and updates for the public and building up anticipation in the run-up to the event.
Everything on my desk is in duplicate: the two monitors I work on, two glass water bottles and two friendly cacti.
I love talking to people who speak and learn different languages. Because that involves so much more than just vocabulary and grammar, it’s an opportunity to actually immerse yourself in their culture. I also try to motivate people who are learning my language and give them plenty of pointers. We’ve got to keep this exchange going!
Verena Rasp
Contest ReviewerMy job is to help develop materials for the IDO 2020 contest.
On my desk I always keep my laptop with a charging wire, a small loudspeaker, because I like working with background music, and a little cactus.
I particularly enjoy drawing on my practical teaching experience to come up with appropriate problems for the contestants and working productively with the IDO team.
Contact: Verena.Rasp@gmail.com
Gabriele Riedel
Content-ManagerMy job is to maintain the IDO website, i.e. to continually update the content in the form of texts, photos and videos.
On my desk is my computer, and before my eyes is a vast green meadow, because I get to work at home.
I particularly enjoy collaborating worldwide, looking forward to the young contestants and being virtually in on the action and up to speed all the time.
Contact: internet8@goethe.de
Alina Holtmann
Graphic DesignerMy job is to give the IDO a visual presence by designing all the media for its publicity campaigns, which include references to Dresden, the history of the IDO and of course the contestants.
On my desk I have a computer, a cup of tea, and reference material on the Goethe-Institut’s corporate design.
I particularly enjoy the creative work involved in designing the key visuals on various media for the IDO publicity campaigns and working with the IDO team. I'm looking forward to seeing my designs "live" at the IDO.
Contact: contact@alinaholtmann.com