On the occasion of the 7th Session of the German-South African Binational Commission (BNC) on May 7-8, in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle wrote following article for today's edition of the South African Newspaper Pretoria News.
German-South African Binational Commission
Deputy President of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, DGB) Ingrid Sehrbrock visited South Africa from April 15 – 17, 2012. She was one of German Research Minister Annette Schavan’s delegates to attend the launch of the German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013.
Ingrid Sehrbrock visits South Africa
Germany and South Africa usher in a new era of cooperation with the official launch of the joint Year of Science on April 16 in Cape Town. The year promises dynamic offerings in both countries covering seven themes and demonstrates the long standing and successful scientific cooperation between the two nations. German Research Minister Schavan and South African Science and Technology Minister Pandor opened the event.
Joint Year of Science begins
On April 4, German Ambassador Horst Freitag hosted a concert to celebrate the work of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra. German cellist Mathias Donderer, renowned pianist Ilse Myburgh and members of the Youth Orchestra treated guests to an unique evening of classical music and Jazz.
MIAGI Youth Orchestra
Two regional centres for climate change and land management are being developed in western and southern Africa. The centres will provide a sustainable regional research infrastructure that is supported and operated by the African partners. Germany's Education Ministry is allocating up to 100 million Euro to the initiative.
Climate research centres in Africa
The German Embassy Pretoria has a new, small-scale project fund aimed at combating climate change and its effects, worth up to 25,000 Euro. Projects that raise awareness about the effects of climate change, introduce practical instruments for climate protection and support low-carbon development strategies are of particular interest.
Climate fund 2012 – Call For Proposals