Issue 5/ 2010
May
What are you for sure going to bring along
to the meeting and why?
It will be a wonderful chance to meet new
people
and
exchange
ideas
on
how
to
improve on the German African relationship.
I am hoping for a stronger bond between
the
Editorial
This
time,
stage
we
leave
the
to
Go
entirley
Germany
...
Go
Africa
alumni. Many of you have
contributed
with
short
statements
for
the
upcoming meeting. Thank
you
so
much!
Miriam
Moreover,
Shabafrouz,
alumna
and
now
organizer
also
of
the
programme,
provides
some more details on the
meeting in June.
There is not much more to
say then: Please enjoy this
-
by
the
way
newly
designed - edition!
Best,
Dennis and Linda
Do
you
prepare
for
the
meeting, and if so how?
I'll be communicating with
my
group
members
to
brainstorm on our topic. I
look
forward
to
sharing
ideas and focusing on the
issues
most
that
we
important.
think
I
are
expect
that we'll use reports from
various government bodies
and
NGOs
to
justify
suggestions
contextualise
our
and
the
that we will raise.
- Simiso V., Zimbabwe
issues
?
Any questions on the Peer
Teaching Meeting in June?
three
Go
Africa...Go
Germany
generations. Apart from my 6 senses I will
bring with me my sense of gab and hope for
a fun galore.
- Victor O., Kenya
Whom are you looking forward to seeing at
the meeting the most and why?
I'm looking forward to meet my fellows from
the third generation again. Unfortunately,
many us of won't make it. Furthermore I'm
very curious about the participants from the
first and second year of whom I only read
their CVs and heard stories.
- Fabian K., Germany
I am most looking forward to not only seeing
everyone but additionally to meeting the
other
scholarship
holders
of
previous
generations of the Go Africa Go Germany
program. I think the Peer Teaching Meeting
provides a great opportunity to strengthen
the existing network of GAGG and I am
happy to be part of the process.
- Chidiogo A., Nigeria
What would you like to say to all those that
cannot come to the meeting?
Since the ultimate purpose of peer teaching
is the sharing of experiences, we will miss
your presence even if we hope that some of
you will be able to contribute through the
internet. We will make sure to share our
impressions with you through the JointMag
and to convey the renewed dimension of our
group experience until we can all meet
again.
- Joanna F., Mauritius
To all peers in Africa, who could not make it:
This is reason enough that the next peer
meeting should take place in Africa. Or how
else
could
we
functioning
peers
establish
partnership?
in
Germany
To
or
a
If you could choose, with whom would
What would you like to ask Katja
all
you like to share a room with and
Böhler, project leader?
Europe:
why?
This time, you are generously
Considering
that
you
are
now
excused.
And
to
all
peers
With Ophilia to make the old times
planning
anywhere
else
in
the
world:
come back to live!
German-African
What are you doing there? This
- Ilka R., Germany
creation of a foundation: How are
is
Germany
and
Africa
the
next
of
the
Partnership,
step
the
you adressing the issue of equality
What would you like to ask Thomas
between Germans and Africans in
future… :-)
Krüger,
the
-Claudia H., Germany
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung
managing
(bpb) at the meeting?
foundation and its activities?
establishing
How
will
their
you
common
travel
to
of
the
the
financing,
administration,
and
planning
of
this
- Kai S., Germany
Two questions actually: 1) In your
meeting?
Via
President
Brussels,
of
course,
how
opinion, which are the three most
What would you like to ask Holger
important
Ehmke, project leader ?
points
for
a
tangible
else? To be honest: I'll attend a
agenda of our network in order to
small
gain
in
We finished the programme on a
society, ensure continuity and gain
very high note and with great
international peacekeeping there
political influence?
hopes
on June 10. From the conference
cooperation between the network of
sustainable
room,
alumni and the bpb work at eye level ?
the people of Germany and Africa.
- Benjamin Z., Germany
Yet how do we intend to create
conference/research
meeting
on
the
I'll
EU's
head
whatever
that
role
in
straight
tiny
for
village
is
acceptance
and
support
2) How can the
and
aspiration
for
partnership
a
between
called (it's very lucky we're going
empowerment
to be picked up, I'd never find it
particularly
myself,
foundation for Youth Education?
as
I
can't
even
remember the name...).
Chapter of the 1st Generation
a
big
ressources-wasting
natural-
ozone-killing
Bavaro-German car and hit the
road
down
to
good
old
Nürembach-Biebernbrecht!
- Alex N., Germany
How should our first dinner look
like and why?
It would be fantastic if we had a
chance
to
already
at
talk
the
to
first
everyone
dinner.
I
guess that a "new plate - new
seat"
buffet
perfect.
between
dinner
This
would
means
courses
Africa,
with
a
be - given the fact that it is
I am going to get the Berlin
rent
in
youths,
How inclusive will the foundation
- Lotta M., Germany
together,
for
be
that
everybody
"How do we
intend to create
empowerment
for youths,
bankrolled by German tax payers?
For
decades
emerged
foundations
in
"sustainable
the
partnership"
that
with
people-
the
already
right
mixture
present
Africa, with a
- Joseph G., Sierra Leone
?
with
something else. I personally think
three
Youth Education
of
Africa and have ended up being
particularly in
foundation for
have
name
generations
-
in
we
of
the
can
produce the efficacious result.
What would you personally like to
contribute to the meeting?
As I understood the meeting is all
about to update and strength our
communication further ... kind of
"
experience sharing what we did
and
how
help-full
our
previous
swaps seats so that we could
participation of the program for
catch
our individual action. I think my
up
with
everyone
quickly.
- Alice H., Germany
quite
presence as one of Go-Africa and
Go-Germany participants helps to update
When Peers Come To Teach Each Other
myself about the issues and activities so
far done by other participants. Discusse
A German-African Reunion in a Valley near Cologne
what I did so far according to the aim of
Go-Africa and Go-Germany program and
by Miriam Shabafrouz, Germany
share to other how effective was my
previous participation of the program for
After three unforgettable exchange programmes of three different
my personal knowledge and education as
generations of “Go Africa... Go Germany...” there will finally be a
I experienced.
meeting where the former participants can meet and get to know
- Selam E., Ethiopia
each other. Up to now, only the project team has had the privilege to
meet all the participants, and so we are very much looking forward to
Hopefully good weather from Berlin, as
seeing you again and bringing you all together. This will be possible
our capital is really known for a lot of
during a four-day workshop in June with the somewhat mysterious
sunshine. ;-) And some knowledge about
name of “Peer Teaching Meeting”. The idea behind it is to refresh
coups as I have just finished my diploma
existing links between the former scholarship-holders and to create
thesis about this topic!
new ones so that we can establish a true network serving as a base
- Antonia F., Germany
for the ambitious project of the German-African Partnership in the
field of youth education.
What should a group picture look like?
On Thursday evening we will have a first come-together in the
The number one rule is that everyone
picturesque village of “Nümbrecht-Bierenbachtal”, where we are going
must be smiling, it gives the picture life.
to stay during the workshop. There you will have the opportunity to
The
share your memories, impressions and ideas you have kept from
type
of
smiles
depends
ocassion, for this ocassion
on
the
I suppose
Germany, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and the “Go
semi-professional smiles will do. (We are
Africa... Go Germany...” programme in general with your peers. The
future
be
next day will be a dense study day, starting with the welcome
looking like the crawl pub society). Since
address of Thomas Krüger, the bpb’s president, and with introductory
we are a multi-racial group, it would also
presentations of the project leaders, Katja Böhler and Holger Ehmke.
require a good mix in positioning to
You will get an update on the current efforts to institutionalize the
signify unity. And of course the short
exchange programmes and the fields of action of the recently
ones have to be behind the tall ones.
founded German-African Association for Youth Education. As a
(Just kidding)
precious input for the later workshop, we further have invited several
- Dambe B., Botswana
experts – Prof. Peter Meyns (professor emeritus of the university of
leaders,
we
dont
want
to
Duisburg-Essen), Saliou Gueye (Integration officer of the city of
Ludwigsburg),
Jürgen
Peters
(Friedrich-Ebert
Foundation)
and
Heinrich Bergstresser (journalist) – to debate the Challenges faced by
the German-African partnership. This panel will be facilitated by the
journalist Dagmar Dehmer (Tagesspiegel), and there will surely be
time for questions, comments and suggestions from your side.
In the afternoon, we will have some recreation time to watch the
opening match of the World Championship in South Africa in a nice
barbecue hut, and this will give us enough energy to continue the day
in good old “Go Africa...” manner with presentations, intense group
work and the production of ideas. These will be discussed on
Saturday morning in a plenary session and then be followed by the
second set of presentations and group sessions held and facilitated by
some of your peers. Here and there, a short break or a nice barbecue
evening will give you the opportunity to get to know informally and/or
to go deeper into the topic of your personal commitment for the
German-African partnership.
How do you image the First
Generation to be like?
as a training for peers /multipliers, as you have all learned a lot about the idea
I imagine the 1rst generation
to be like the 2nd: A group of
interested participants, eager
to learn about various issues
and the other participants life
worlds and experiences. Still
a
group
is
individuals
and
made
I’m
of
looking
forward to our meeting and
I’m glad to get to know some
of the participants of the 1rst
generation.
do
you
of the German-African Partnership and many of you have shown the willingness
to contribute to its further development. During this meeting, we hope to
elaborate new steps we all can take to make this commitment stronger. It would
therefore be beneficial, if all of you – not only those of you who will hold the
presentations – start to think about the topics we will be dealing with. This is
especially the case for those who will not be able to attend – 36 of you are
going to come, which is only half of the group. As we absolutely want to include
all of you, we will record parts of the meeting and put them online, and we
mostly welcome your contributions to the different topics. It will truly be an
international session, as the peers will arrive from all over Germany, from
Namibia, Scotland, Sweden, France, China and the DR Congo and this meeting
will boost our inspiration, our commitment – and last but not least our
friendships.
- Alia J., Germany
How
The whole meeting and the whole “Go Africa... Go Germany...” is conceptualized
picture
the
Second Generation?
A
few
weeks
ago
realised that the
world
is
small,
I got
to
when
know Antonia
second
from
generation
in
happened
on
to
the
see
my
list
of
participants for this year's Go
Africa...Go
Germany
programme! From talking to
her
I
expect
the
second
generation to be as eager as
the third one to get involved
in future developments of Go
Africa...Go Germany and the
German-African
youth
foundation.
the trip to Tanzania and
Uganda
was
my
first
visit ever to Africa. In
early 2008, I completed
a Bachelor’s degree in
Political
Science
and
Media
and
Communication
at
the
Masters
situation
organization
as
the
of
programme
has
the
improved
started
in
Allthough
they
enjoy
benefits
of
a
programme
participant of the second generation of ‘Go Africa…Go Germany’ in 2008/09 and
Studies
Universities
and
Since
of
Oslo,
October
2008, I am doing my
The third generation are in a
it
Julian: I am 24 years old and was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany. I was a
Norway.
... and Third?
since
Linda: Hello Julian! Please tell us about yourself.
Mannheim
- Corinna B.-M., Germany
better
by Linda Poppe, Germany
my
was sitting next to me and
name
Interview with Julian Bergmann, Germany
the
French class in Berlin. She
had
Alumni Profile
I
structure
2007.
the
better
I
am
in
Peace
Research and International Politics at the University of Tübingen, a small but
very lovely town in Southern Germany. My current research focus lies on the
study of civil wars, conflict management and peace-building, with a special focus
on conflicts in East and Central Africa. In addition, I am currently working on my
Master thesis on religious mediation in civil wars.
Linda: Last month we asked Emmanuel from Ghana about his media use - this
time we would like to get a German perspective. Do you follow the news on
sure that they are also a group of young,
certain themes or countries in Africa? Where do you get your
motivated and inspired individuals who are
information from and what do you think about the quality?
concerned
with
improving
the
lives
of
all
people.
Julian: In general, I do follow the news on African issues,
- Leitago N., Namibia
especially with regard to political developments, although I
have to admit that I get my information mostly from German
If you wouldn't be at the meeting, what would
newspapers and news websites. Of course, this means that the
you have done that weekend?
news on Africa are often a bit superficial and cover only those
topics that are of most interest from a German or European
If I wouldn't have made it to our meeting in
perspective. Sometimes, if I want to get more informed on a
June, I had probably worked a little that
certain issue, I look for online-versions of African newspapers
weekend, finally cleaned my appartment and
or news websites.
met some friends. Not very spectuacular really.
- Lena G., Germany
Linda: And news on Germany?
The Peer Teaching Meeting is an important
Julian: Concerning news on Germany, I am far more informed.
reflection of the three generations... Not being
I read the newspapers everyday, very often the newspapers’
around
being
online-versions such as Die ZEIT, Spiegel and Die Tageszeitung.
connected to get feedback of the progress of
Of course, in contrast to news on Africa, German and European
the issues... After all the great experiences we
news are widely covered. Currently, the war in Afghanistan and
have had with the team and others... it is
Germany’s contribution to the ISAF operation are one of the
worth a weekend..!
most prominent issues in the German media and there is a big
- Joseph M., Tanzania
debate about it. But, although we have a free press in
would
have
forced
me
to
Germany, it seems to me that critical voices about the war
How will you travel back home after the
remain sometimes unheard and ignored.
meeting?
Linda: So how do you envision African-German relations in ten
After the meeting I will be going to Paris by
years?
train to visit my sister Francina, who gave birth
to twin girls last year (Paola and Paolina).
Julian: Phew, that’s a tough question! To be honest, I doubt
From Paris I will get back to Frankfurt to take
that we will see many changes in Africa-German relations
my flight passing by Casablanca and from
within the next ten years. Although I think that Germany and
Casablanca I take another flight to Kinshasa.
African countries need each other more than ever to tackle
- Osang A., DRC
issues of common interest, such as for example the global
climate change, it seems to me that there is a lack of
awareness that intensifying their relations would be of high
benefit for both partners. From a German perspective, it looks
like
Africa
does
not
score
very
high
on
the
German
government’s agenda. Nevertheless, I hope that Germany and
African countries will deepen their political and economic ties
and intensify their cooperation based on a sense of a real
partnership between two equal partners.
With regard to social and cultural relations, I am quite
optimistic that we will see a positive change in the years to
come. There is a growing number of cultural projects and
exchange programs which aim to bring the people of the two
different continents together in order to exchange ideas and
learn from each other. In my opinion, this is the most
promising approach to intensify Africa-German relations since a
better understanding of each other is the precondition for a
positive change.
Editors: Dennis Kumetat and Linda Poppe // Editorial Team: Julian Bergmann, Mwenda Gatobu, Lerato Tsebe and Benjamin Zasche
Available online: www.bpb.de // Contact: goafrica (at) bpb.de