Latest News

The bears are awarded at Berlinale

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:49:32 GMT

The 62nd Berlinale International Film Festival concluded with its famed awards ceremony on February 18. The Golden Bear went to the Italian docu-drama “Caesar Must Die” (Cesare deve morire). Best actress went to 14-year-old Rachel Mwanza from the Democratic Republic of Congo, for her first film role in War Witch and the documentary “Call Me Kuchu”, about gay rights activists in Uganda, was awarded Best Documentary as part of the independent Teddy Awards.

Former UNEP chief Dr. Klaus Töpfer gives public lecture in South Africa

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:45:19 GMT

Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, environmental politics expert and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be the featured guest at a University of Johannesburg public lecture on February 23. Dr. Töpfer, along with a panel of experts, will examine the experiences of recent and past world environment summits to assess the prospects and progress on the transition to a low carbon economy.

Increase of 9.3 million passengers at German airports in 2011

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:22:30 GMT

As reported by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) the number of departing and arriving passengers at German airports amounted to 175.2 million travellers in 2011; with a growth of 5....

Research and development are making German companies fit for the future

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:14 GMT

The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) published its "German Innovation Survey 2011" earlier this month. One of the key results to be shown is that in 2010, more German companies continuously pursued research and development than ever before. The relevant figure was put at 34,000, or 12 percent of German companies, thus topping the previous peak value from 2008.

Germany's Helmholtz Association offering 40 postdoc positions

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:19:18 GMT

The Helmholtz Association is offering 40 postdoc positions in the fields of Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Key Technologies, Structure of Matter, and Aeronautics, Space and Transport. The positions are aimed at up-and-coming young scientists, providing optimal conditions for starting a successful career in research. The application deadlines are March 30 and April 10, 2012 for the different programs.

New WHO office in Bonn to handle environment and health

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:54:54 GMT

The WHO European Centre for Environment and Health opened in Bonn on February 14 with German Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen, Health Minister Daniel Bahr and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab taking part in the ceremony. The centre will deal specifically with impacts of environmental factors on human health.

Intensive dialogue with important African partners

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:29:06 GMT

A German-Angolan Binational Commission has been established at Germany's Foreign Office to help the German Government achieve its goal of strengthening its cooperation with Angola.

New BMZ education strategy promises to double funding for Africa

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:37:10 GMT

The German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel, presented the new education strategy of his Ministry (BMZ) in Berlin on February 9. The strategy has the title "Ten Goals for More Education". Funding for Africa under the new strategy would rise to 137 million Euro, double the amount allocated for 2009.

Urban redevelopment takes centre stage in Project Earth: Our Future

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:35:12 GMT

Urban and rural communities play an important role in the development of sustainable lifestyles and are major players in Germany's Science Year 2012, "Project Earth: Our Future". To start off the year, a grass-roots oriented initiative entitled ZukunftsWerkStadt was launched wherein community members will contribute to the sustainable redevelopment of their local environment.

Zambians celebrate their heroes

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:19:49 GMT

Zambia's triumph in the 2012 Arican Cup of Nations came as a surprise to many. Here a short story on the wild celebrations in Zambia by Lusaka-based German journalist and employee of the German Develo...

German Imports and Exports increased 2011

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:19:02 GMT

Germany exported commodities to the value of 1,060.1 billion Euro and imported commodities to the value of 902.0 billion Euro in 2011. Hence, as further reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Des...

Red hands against the use of child soldiers

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:13:22 GMT

For many children, a peaceful childhood is only a dream. Children are even used as soldiers in armed conflicts in many regions of the world. Each year on February 12, Red Hand Day raises awareness about their situation.

South Africa’s contemporary dance scene bursts to life during Dance Umbrella

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:52:54 GMT

Johannesburg will yet again play host to the fifteen-day dance festival Dance Umbrella from February 17- March 4, 2012. The festival includes performances, workshops and face to face discussions with the choreographers. The Goethe Institut continues its partnership with the festival by hosting a three-day dance writers’ workshop and providing venues and support for performances.

European Fashion Award for 2012 targets sportswear

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:43:08 GMT

The European Fashion Award (FASH) is considered one of the most important fashion design newcomer awards in the world. This year the focus of the competition was on active wear. Winning designs came from young designers from across Europe, Latin America and Germany, with the yoga collection “We are”, taking first place.

South African football coaches receive certificates for DFB-Course

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:06:40 GMT

Three South African football coaches received their coaching certificates today at the German Embassy in Pretoria. They successfully completed the three-week International Coaching Course of the Germa...

Private-public support for adult education program for cotton farmers in Burkina Faso

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:10:46 GMT

The Aid by Trade Foundation and Otto Group have furthered their ongoing support to smallholder cotton farmers in Africa, this time through a program to increase literacy in adults in the Bazega Region of central south Burkina Faso. Courses will begin in March 2012 for farmers who work with the Cotton made in Africa initiative. The program is also supported by Germany's DEG and the NGO Welthungerhilfe.

“New era for German-African research cooperation" with climate protection initiative in West Africa

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:47:04 GMT

Together with ten West African countries, Germany's Research Ministry will launch the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use. The objective is to research the effects of climate change and develop effective protective measures against climate-related risks. Up to 50 million Euro has been allocated by Germany for the development of West African research infrastructure in the long run.

Berlinale is fertile ground for those in SA film industry

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:26:56 GMT

The Berlin International Film Festival officially opened on February 9. In the German capital, amongst the glitterati, are two dynamic representatives of South Africa's film scene who have their minds set on making the most of this experience: Nodi Murphy, pivotal player in the Out in Africa and Encounters film festivals, and Sakhumzi Mati, a promising young filmmaker.

German government steps up humanitarian assistance for Sahel zone

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:10:37 GMT

Germany's Foreign Office and its Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development are making 12 million Euro available to fund emergency assistance for the people affected by the drought in the Sahel zone.

Travelling exhibit Alptraum opens in Johannesburg

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:09:03 GMT

After showings in Germany, the US, Great Britain and Cape Town, the travelling exhibition Alptraum opens on February 9 at the Goethe Institut Johannesburg. The various pieces explore how the concept of nightmares is shaped by different cultures and expressed by artists. The exhibition will run until March 9 at the Institut's gallery.