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2nd Question:Via what Institutions is Germany being perceived? Which role is played by known intermediaries like Goethe Institutes, the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, Inter Nationes, DAAD, Schools Abroad?
(The following descriptions are taken from the respective official web sites)
The Goethe-Institut is a worldwide, non-profit, semi-private organization promoting the German language and culture. It is partially funded by the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.V. (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, http://www.ifa.de)
The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.V. (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations) is active in the field of German foreign cultural politics, sustaining a dialogue with partners in Germany and abroad. This work is geared to promoting peaceful relationships and mutual understanding between cultures and nations by way of international cultural cooperation. The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen therefore specially focuses on art, the humanities and education in the service of international understanding.
Inter Nationes is a private, but publicly funded institution for cultural, social and political communication between Germany and foreign countries in the media area. Our aim is to provide information about Germany to roughly 50,000 partners abroad in a objective, realistic and diversified way. The intention is thus to deepen people's understanding of developments in Germany, as well as to facilitate contacts with institutions in our country. The main target groups of Inter Nationes are institutions from the educational and scientific fields, representatives of the media, politics and culture, as well as decision-makers within society.
DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Auslandsdienst(http://www2.daad.de)
The DAAD is an institution for the promotion of international academic exchanges.
Further Links:
Study Abroad - Auslandsschulen:
http://www.auslandsschulwesen.de
German Culture:
http://www.deutsche-kultur-international.de
Politics - State Dept. / Auswärtiges Amt:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.government.de
German Embassies:
http://www.germany-info.org
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3rd Question:Which Media are taken notice of in foreign countries? Print Media, abroad broadcasting and cultural events like concerts, theater and lectures?
There are various media related to or originating from Germany which are available throughout the world. While its most known part of history is still Nazi rule, Germany seems to have regained reputation on most fields again. Apart from stereotypes, it is also received through its music (Beethoven), art (painting) and philosophy (Kant, Hegel, ...).
In films, while references to its said history remain (like in the 'Indiana Jones' series, or more recently, in films like 'Schindler's List', 'Apt Pupil', 'La Vita È Bella', 'The Big Lebowski' and 'Saving Private Ryan'), there's also a more positive view of Germany - a differenciation being made between the terms "German" and "Nazi". However, like reactions concerning the recent, right-wing dominated elections in Austria and Switzerland show, there is still some kind of distrust remaining, suspicions arising from concern.
Related Media Sources:
http://germanculture.about.com/culture/cultureeurope/germanculture/library/weekly/mcurrent.htm
http://www.dwelle.de/Welcome.html
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4th Question:In which language are offers of cultural exchange being perceived? In German, English, Spanish - or also in other languages?
The majority of the organizations referred to under Question #2 are still mainly based on German sources, the English sections are usually smaller. Inter Nationes also offers French and Spanish information, while the Goethe Institutes usually use German or English as base language, only rarely resorting to the native language of the country is situated in (like French, Spanish, Turkish or Italian).
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5th Question:How does Germany appear abroad? As a country of high technology, as the land of the "Lederhosen", as a cultural nation?
see Question #1 and Question #6
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7th Question:Which proposals do you have for German Foreign Cultural Politics? What do you need from us?
possible points for discussion:
How to reach the people
What kind of information is to be transmitted?
Are newer technologies being supported and used?
How to deal with German history?
While Germany wants others to be interested in it, does it itself reveal an interest in foreign cultures?
November 2nd, 1999
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