Current Event 3/31/12

Berlin has confirmed its support for Palestine as of March 29, 2012. For the second time, the German-Palestinian council met to confirm strategies and positive relations. Included in these talks was an agreement to provide Palestine with 70 million euros, 40 million to be used for development. This intention was announced by German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, who also said that Germany supports the creation of a Palestinian state. Founded in 2010, the German-Palestinian council has intentions to further the agenda of the Palestinian people, and this support is gratefully received by Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, who also praised the unification of the EU on this issue. Despite reports of Chancellor Angela Merkel's annoyance with the policy, the government maintains it is united on the Palestinian issue.
The German position on the highly controversial Palestine issue is yet another mark of an increasingly progressie government. Westerwelle, the Bundestag and Bundesrat, and Merkel have had to cooperate both among each other and with the public to form the German-Palestinian council. Their views may yet prove hazardous in relations with the US or Israel, but as it stands now Germany is a leader in yet another area of international affairs, showing strength and consistency much desired from European nations. The cooperation of the EU in this issue is also a key point, showing common EU goals and interests that transcend the debt crisis and make Europe and Germany key players in the rebuilding of the Middle East.
http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15845497,00.html

Me, Part I

Well. Now that everyone's feeling a little more at ease with these blog shenanigans, it's time to do some talking. First up, a little about Rotary Youth Exchange and how we became friends.
Rotary International is a really fantastic organization (read more about its projects and mission here), and one of their many programs that benefits youth and sends messages of world peace and service is their Exchange Program. I know many youth who have benefited from this program in the past or are on exchange right now. For several years, I have been interested in going on a high school exchange, and during the fall of this year Rotary interviews were conducted and forms filled out for those wishing to go on exchange in 2012-2013. I jumped at the opportunity, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. The process was long: first a preliminary interview was conducted in the school district with interested students, and then I and another student were selected as the scholarship recipients. We two "outbounds" were instructed to receive immunizations, fill out forms, and write letters to our prospective host clubs. A second interview followed, and after selecting our top three countries the forms were sent to the district exchange coordinator. Several months later, our country assignments came.
The process continues: Visa forms are coming soon, and eventually I will be assigned my host district, and then the town where I will live.
In the meantime, the outbound students are meeting monthly to discuss culture, public speaking, and all the nitty-gritty of exchange. We all eagerly await our district assignments, but while we wait we have language learning to occupy our time. Learning as much language as possible is very important so it will be easier to acclimatize when in our new homes. In addition to language learning, I post a current event from Germany each week, to keep in touch with what is going on.
Hopefully I will be able to share more news soon, but meanwhile stay tuned for more current events and more about my life in the States.

Current Event 3/24/12

Joachim Gauck, a civil rights activist and former pastor, was inaugurated as Germany's president on March 23, 2012. Gauck had already begun work as president after his election, but was officially sworn in before the Bundestag and Bundesrat houses of Parliament on Friday. His inauguration speech encouraged freedom, justice and participation. He remarked that although Germany's democracy was an excellent trait of the nation, faith in the system appears to be declining. Decreasing voter turnout was a special consideration, he remarked. Gauck also vowed to continue work against far-right extremists, which was a concern of his predecessor Christian Wulff. Of extremism, Gauck said, "To those who despise democracy we say: Your hate is our incentive."
Gauck is the first East German president of the country, signifying unity and progression of the nation. Like Chancellor Angela Merkel, he is an East German Protestant. Although famous for speaking his mind, the president has no official party affiliation. Concerned with democracy and civil rights, the president is also concerned with Germany's relationship with Poland, and will pay Warsaw a visit soon. The president, at age 72, is the oldest president Germany has had. He and his partner, the journalist Daniela Schadt, are installed at the presidential residence of Bellevue Palace. Although the president is technically head of the state, the post has mainly ceremonial duties.
The election of an activist from East Germany shows progressiveness and openness that is encouraging in the field of German politics. Describing himself as a "conservative from the liberal left," Gauck bridges the gap between liberal and conservative and will hopefully be able to moderate disagreements between the two factions. As a strong advocate of democracy, Gauck will be a stabilizing force in the German parliament, and hopefully throughout the nation as well. His election is promising for Germany's continuing stability, democracy, and progressiveness.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15828372,00.html

Current Event 3/17/12

The German far-right extremist National Democratic Party has been controversial for over nine years, since the federal government first tried to outlaw the party. The request to ban the party is a tedious and technical process that involves a request to the Federal Constitutional Court. First investigated in March 2003, the case against the NDP eventually failed, not in deciding whether the party was unconstitutional but in making it possible to ban the party. The NDP has been active since then, associated with white nationalist and conservative groups.
However, in early 2011 a second attempt to ban the party was introduced by Hans-Peter Friedrich, and will be introduced to interior ministers in Berlin on March 22. This attempt will be supported by evidence from murders of nine immigrants and a police officer, committed last year. There has not yet been a connection between the possible perpetrators and the NDP, which was founded in 1964. A former representative from the NDP, Ralf Wohlleben, has been connected with the murders, accused of buying ammunition for the National Socialist Underground, which is the group responsible for the murders. As yet, there is no news to how this evidence will affect Friedrich's case on March 22, but some doubt that it will be enough to put into effect a complete ban on the party.
The NDP has a relatively small following, but still a large impact because of its extreme tendencies. If banned, the party would be the third to meet that fate after the Socialist Reich Party and the Communist Party of Germany. A renewed attempt to ban the party shows a progressive movement in Germany, and acceptance of more diverse peoples by the people and the government. Political cooperation between the federal government and both houses of parliament is also evident in this process, which is especially heartening in the wake of recent instability due to the resignation of former President Christian Wulff.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15811961,00.html

Current Event 3/10/12

Germany, which has been a central power in the world economy and in the Eurozone for quite a while now, has increased its industrial output more than economists predicted. After a 2.6% slump in production in December 2011, production has increased by 1.6% in three months.

Because of the current European debt crisis, which is forecast to shrink the European economy by 0.3% in 2012, Germany's economic rebound is welcome and reassuring. Possibly the mild winter may have something to do with Germany's early construction, which began in January of this year and was increased by 4.3%. 

Germany's economic recovery, while bolstering the German national economy, also means a lot to the entire Eurozone. The economic stability of Germany means security for nations such as Greece and Spain, who depend on Germany as a stable figure in the European debt crisis. A rise in German economic ratings would benefit the country as well as giving hope to indebted and chaotic European nations. The economic and industrial swing and recovery of Germany sets an example and acts as a beacon of hope for financially struggling countries in Europe.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/03/08/bloomberg_articlesM0KBTT1A74E901-M0KF4.DTL

Current Event 3/4/12

The German Parliament has begun to discuss a government draft bill in an effort to lure more foreign workers to Germany. The bill would require all non-EU foreign workers to carry a "Blue Card," the European equivalent of the US Green Card. Although Germany has been slow in implementing this measure, it is probably because the country is not noted for immigration or immigration policies.

However, Germany's zero to negative population growth means that by 2030, Germany will be short 6 million workers. This means that Germany's economy could take a serious blow. A lack of skilled workers will also decrease the quality of work and production in Germany, something that the highly industrialized nation cannot afford. 

To increase the appeal for foreign workers, Germany is also lowering their standards for hiring workers. Foreign workers must now make at least 45, 000 euros in salary per year and have a college degree. This will grant them a temporary residence permit. Salary requirements may be even lower for those whose skills are in very high demand, such as engineers or workers in health professions. 

The new policy also applies to German students, who will also get residence permits if they have pursued a job corresponding to their degree for two years.
Not only does this bill give hope to the decreasing German workforce, but it gives hope to foreign workers who have previously been unable to work in Germany. The lowering of hiring requirements is a step which shows Germany as a more open country. Lowering hiring requirements also shows that Germany wishes to keep up its skilled labor base and massive economy, an ambition which is being accomplished more rarely in European countries today. With enough work and incentive, the Blue Card bill will not only bolster Germany's economy today, but fortify the economy for tomorrow.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15778948,00.html