Tasks and Targets

As the globally active cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany, we advocate for understanding between Germany, Europe and the world. The framework agreement with the German Federal Foreign Office is the foundation for this work. Worldwide, we provide information about the cultural and societal diversity of Germany and Europe. 151 Goethe-Instituts in 98 countries together with numerous partner institutions form the basis of our global network. The Federal Foreign Office supports our work institutionally. As a registered charity we operate autonomously on a legally independent basis and are not affiliated to any political party. We generate around a third of our revenue ourselves through income from language courses and examinations. We also receive support from the European Union (EU), further German federal ministries as well as foundations and companies in Germany and abroad.

We contribute to establishing the German language in the educational systems of the guest countries. We support over 100,000 schools worldwide in giving high-quality German tuition, and promote the advanced professional training and qualification of teachers of German. Furthermore, we offer languages courses ranging from general German courses to prevocational language courses and seminars to raise societal and cultural awareness. Our services include online courses and autonomous learning programmes. Every year more than 750,000 people sit a German examination at a Goethe-Institut or one of our cooperation partners. With a wide range of educational and information programmes, we support in particular students and skilled workers from abroad on their route to Germany. 

We believe in the potential of international cultural exchange. Our approximately 20,000 cultural events per year take place in partnership with governmental and non-governmental institutions and initiatives from civil society in our guest countries. We qualify, advise and interlink cultural professionals and support the development of sustainable structures in the cultural and creative economy by advanced training measures for cultural entrepreneurs or the internationalisation of creative companies. With our residence programmes, partnerships and co-productions, we promote the networking of cultural professionals around the globe. We offer stakeholders from civil society a protected space and scope for a sincere exchange of views. We do not break off democratic dialogue, even in difficult times. In our work we orientate ourselves towards the values of a democratic, liberal society governed by the rule of law.

Via our digital information and educational programmes in more than 60 languages and a network with 87 libraries, we offer a space to learn, meet up and participate. We use innovative technologies, seize the opportunities of digitalisation and, at the same time, reflect on their implications for people and society. Through diverse formats such as information trips for multipliers, specialist exchange between experts, youth exchange programmes and international festivals we enable communication on a worldwide basis.

Our main goals are to

• present in Canada a current image of culture from Germany
• promote the exchange between German and Canadian artists
• position German language and culture in the Canadian educational system
• promote Canada's foreign and cultural policy interest in Germany and the EU.

A modern image of Germany in Canada

We develop initiatives in order to update, accentuate and change existing ideas about Germany. Our thematic information packages and programs –created to enable a modern, differentiated perception of Germany– help reduce mutual cliches and preconceptions. We initiate and organise encounters in Germany and Canada to complement this exchange and to build sustainable relations.

Promotion of contemporary German culture

We present important positions in contemporary German culture. Not only do we bring art and culture from Germany to Canada, we also like to introduce current ideas in thought and life. We support the creation of individual and institutional relations between the cultural circles in Germany and Canada.

Positioning of German language and culture in the Canadian educational system

We promote Germany and its culture in the Canadian educational system. This is why we support efforts to learn German and the position of German teaching in the educational systems of our host country Canada. In doing this, we work closely with Canadian associations such as the CAUTG (Canadian Association of University Teachers of German) and the CATG (Canadian Association of Teachers of German).

Promotiom of Canada's foreign and cultural policy interest in Germany and the EU

We understand German culture as part of a European culture. Together with other European cultural institutes and partners, we want to contribute to building a transatlantic cultural community. Starting with common problems and challenges these days, we would like to integrate important intellectual, cultural and practical European contributions into the transatlantic community. The ever evolving European Union is a partner to the Canadian civil society.

Our partners in these endeavours are

• experts, decision-makers and leaders in the arts, culture, politics, economics, the media, education and sciences
• specialists and teachers for German as a Foreign Language
• young professionals
• high-school and university students
• the general public interested in German culture and language