A keynote speech by Gari Pavkovic, the head of Stuttgart’s Integration Department, focused on German integration policy. Pavkovic presented the successes and shortcomings of German policy approaches and drew comparisons to other European states. Program participants then took stock of the past nine months in an interview with Stefan Niemann, Department Manager for International News at North German Broadcasting (NDR). The participants especially emphasized the variety of insights into politics, economy, and culture which they had gained during the program.
At the end of the closing ceremony, Patricia Flor presented certificates to the young diplomats. She also encouraged the group to actively participate in the alumni network. The newly minted alumni heeded her advice just a few days after the closing event: former participants from Estonia hosted an alumni meeting in Tallinn from June 21-26.
The Diplomatenkolleg is a unique advanced training program organized by the Federal Foreign Office and the Robert Bosch Foundation for young diplomats from Central and Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and China who are accredited in Germany. The program is implemented with support from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).
For more information, please contact Ms Senta Höfer, senta.hoefer@diplo.de, 030 1817 4838 or Ms Sarah Wohlfeld, sarah.wohlfeld@diplo.de, 030 1817 1914.