The Diplomatenkolleg in Baden-Württemberg
The trip began with a visit to the Robert Bosch Foundation, which together with the Federal Foreign Office initiated the Diplomatenkolleg in 2006. In discussions there, the participants learned more about the philosophy of the foundation and its many activities.
The topic of integration was in the spotlight during the subsequent meeting with Stuttgart’s Mayor Werner Wölfe and the head of the city’s Integration Department, Gari Pavkovic. It became clear that policy measures in the field of integration often only bear fruit in the long term. “I’m a marathon runner,” Gari Pavkovic emphasized.
After the visit to the Federal Constitutional Court, the programme continued in Freiburg. At the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics the diplomats gained information not only about the specific work of the institute but also about the scientific community in Germany. Freiburg’s position as Germany’s top city for solar energy and environmental protection was one of the main topics of the discussion with the city’s mayor, Dr Dieter Salomon, which followed. During a guided tour through the socio-environmental model district Vauban, the group were able to experience first-hand how the city implements its concepts for sustainable energy management.
At the end of their study trip the diplomats gained insights into the work of the Freiburg Regional Commissioner’s Office. As a “small Ministry of Foreign Affairs” the Office represents the region’s interest in the official committees of cross-border cooperation.
The Diplomatenkolleg is a unique advanced training programme 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 programme is implemented with support from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).