Search Results

November 18, known as the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia , marks Latvia’s declaration of independence in 1918 by the People’s Council. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Embassy of Latvia in Berlin, together with the Representation of the State of Schleswig-Holstein and in the presence of Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister President Daniel Günther, hosted a ceremonial reception. The German-Baltic Future Foundation, represented by Thomas von Lüpke, Jost Wiethölter, and Oleksandra Frankevych, was honored to join the celebration. Alda Vanaga, Ambassador of Latvia to Germany, during her Welcome Speech Latvia’s Ambassador to Germany, Alda Vanaga , opened the reception with an inspiring address. She expressed her deep appreciation for the partnership with Germany and emphasized the importance of “standing up for a future in which freedom, peace, and democracy are a given.” Minister President Daniel Günther  also conveyed his gratitude for the strong ties with Latvia. He paid tribute to those who had the courage to fight for independence—both in 1918 and again in 1990 on the Day of the Restoration of Independence , when Latvia regained its freedom from the Soviet Union on 4 May. He further highlighted the need to oppose rising antisemitism and right-wing extremism, calling on everyone to look to the future with optimism: “We cannot simply say that everything was better in the past. We must also say that we are working to make the future better.” Following the opening speeches, guests enjoyed a warm and festive gathering accompanied by light refreshments and engaging conversations.

Am 14. November 2025 fand in Vilnius das Forum zur Förderung der Mehrsprachigkeit in Litauen statt. Am Forum nahmen zahlreiche Organisationen und rund 100 Teilnehmende aus ganz Litauen teil. Auch das litauische Landesbüro der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung war vertreten. Zu Beginn des Forums hielten die Botschafter des Königreiches Spanien, der Republik Frankreich und der Bundesrepublik Deutschland sowie die Leiterin des British Council in Litauen ihre Grußreden in ihren Muttersprachen sowie auf Litauisch, was eine gute Einleitung in die anschließenden Diskussionen bildete. Anschließend diskutierten die Vertreterinnen und Vertreter litauischer Gymnasien, Sprachschulen, Universitäten und Jugendorganisationen in fünf Arbeitsgruppen zu folgenden Themen: Sprachen und Sicherheitsdialog: Wie der Fremdsprachenunterricht zur Demokratie und zur Resilienz von Gemeinschaften beiträgt Integration kultureller Aktivitäten: Fremdsprachen durch Theater, Kino und Musik Anpassung des Lehrplans: realistische Szenarien für Schulen Ausbildung und Bindung von Fremdsprachenlehrkräften: ein systemischer Ansatz Stärkung der Lernmotivation: Wie kann man Fremdsprachen erfolgreich an Schulen verankern? In der letzten Sektion nahm der Leiter des litauischen DBJW-Landesbüros, Daumantas Katinas, an der Podiumsdiskussion teil und präsentierte den Teilnehmenden unter anderem die Initiativen und Projekte des DBJW. Parallel zum Forum fand eine Ideenmesse statt, auf der auch das DBJW mit einem Stand vertreten war. Der Mitarbeiter des litauischen DBJW-Büros, Ahmed Salem, informierte dort Interessierte über alle Aktivitäten, Projekte und Initiativen des DBJW und knüpfte wertvolle Kontakte. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro bedankt sich bei den Organisatorinnen und Organisatoren des Forums und freut sich, Teil dieser gemeinsamen europäischen Initiative gewesen zu sein.

Last week, representatives of the   German-Baltic Future Foundation (DBJW)   and the   Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies   at the University of Tartu ( https://skytte.ut.ee/en ) met to discuss future   collaboration opportunities and partnership initiatives. The meeting was highly productive and underscored the strong mutual interest in deepening cooperation between the two institutions. The Johan Skytte Institute was represented by   Maili Vilson , Deputy Head for Academic Affairs. From the Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung, Katrin Deren , Deputy Head of the Estonia Office, and Daniil Iarlykovskii, our Brand Ambassador, took part in the meeting. Discussions focused on joint efforts to promote political education and youth engagement in Estonia, particularly among young Estonians – a target group shared by both institutions. The Institute expressed great interest in participating in the foundation’s events in Estonia as well as in activities within the broader Deutsch-Baltic network. A guest lecture at the Johan Skytte Institute  is already planned for the end of November, marking the start of a series of future joint activities. In addition, further collaborative projects are currently being explored to strengthen and expand this partnership. We are very pleased with the successful start of this cooperation and look forward to many exciting initiatives together in the future! Picture from the left: Katrin Deren, Deputy Head of the Estonia Office; Maili Vilson, Deputy Head for Academic Affairs; Daniil Iarlykovskii, Brand Ambassador of the German-Baltic Future Foundation

Vom 13. bis 19. Oktober fanden in Litauen bereits zum 10. Mal die Tage der deutschen Sprache statt. Seit 2016 macht die partizipative Initiative jedes Jahr im Oktober sichtbar, wie lebendig und vielfältig die deutsche Sprache in Litauens Bildung, Kultur und Wirtschaft verankert ist. Zahlreiche Institutionen im ganzen Land laden zu einem abwechslungsreichen Programm ein – mit Veranstaltungen, Workshops, Ausstellungen, Filmvorführungen und Mitmachaktionen rund um die deutsche Sprache. In diesem Jahr standen über 170 verschiedene Aktivitäten auf dem Programm der Tage der deutschen Sprache. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro war dabei an fünf Veranstaltungen und Initiativen beteiligt: Am 14. Oktober 2025 initiierte das litauische Landesbüro ein Treffen litauischer Jugendlicher mit Angehörigen der in Litauen stationierten deutschen Panzerbrigade 45. Am  15. Oktober 2025 setzte das Landesbüro seine Initiative „Deutsch verbindet: Von der Schule in die Welt“ fort und besuchte mit Vorträgen zu den Themen Karriereperspektiven mit Deutsch  sowie deutsch-litauische Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zwei Gymnasien in Niederlitauen. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro beteiligt sich zudem an der Initiative „Deutschlehrer/-in des Jahres“ und am Memes-Wettbewerb zur deutschen Sprache, und freut sich besonders auf die Fortsetzung des Fotowettbewerbs „Spuren“ ,  der in diesem Jahr erneut stattfindet. Die Autorinnen und Autoren der besten Fotos werden mit Geldpreisen ausgezeichnet, und die 20 besten Fotos werden im Frühjahr 2026 im litauischen Parlament ausgestellt. Hier finden Sie weitere Informationen: Tage der deutschen Sprache: https://www.goethe.de/prj/vok/de/med.html   „Deutsch verbindet: Von der Schule in die Welt“: https://dbjw.deutsch-balten.de/events/deutsch-verbindet-von-der-schule-in-die-welt   Fotowettbewerb „Spuren“: https://dbjw.deutsch-balten.de/events/fotowettbewerb-%22spuren%22-2025   Memes-Wettbewerb: https://www.flf.vu.lt/institutai/bkki/struktura/vfk/visuomenine-veikla?view=article&id=8046:vokieciu-kalbos-memu-konkursas&catid=91   Deutschlehrer/-in des Jahres: https://www.flf.vu.lt/institutai/bkki/struktura/vfk/visuomenine-veikla?view=article&id=8028:vokieciu-kalbos-mokytojo-os-apdovanojimas-2&catid=91

From 16 to 19 October 2025, Riga hosted t he 7th German-Baltic Conference (GBC)  under the theme “Rethinking Security Through Youth.”  The conference brought together young leaders, policymakers, security experts from across Europe to explore the role of youth in shaping Europe’s security and resilience. Held under the patronage of MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, the event opened at the Latvian National Museum of History with greetings from German and Latvian officials, followed by a high-level panel on “Defending Freedom: Youth Engagement in National and Regional Security.” During the session, panellists discussed and responded to participants’ questions on how young people can meaningfully contribute to defence and crisis preparedness. Over three intensive days at one of the venues of the University of Latvia, participants took part in expert sessions and interactive workshops. Presentations included a keynote by Christoph Eichhorn, former German Ambassador to Estonia and Bulgaria, alongside contributions from Prof. Dr. Wittpahl of Klaipėda University and Jānis Karlsbergs of NATO StratCom COE. Building on this expert input, participants worked in three thematic clusters, turning debate into concrete ideas and policy recommendations. The resulting recommendations will be presented to Members of the European Parliament in Brussels. Cluster A – Youth-Centric Innovation in Defence proposed a modern “Total Defence Service Duty” integrating military, civil, and digital service options, and an Erasmus+ Resilience Track to connect youth with practical defence learning opportunities. Cluster B – Youth Brain Drain and Security examined how demographic decline affects regional stability and proposed a Baltic Alliance for Security and Innovation Studies (BASIS) and an “I Choose the Baltics” initiative to turn brain drain into “brain circulation.” Cluster C – European Security and Discourse explored the social dimension of security, calling for a digital platform to document Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks, a “Personal Preparedness Agenda” to enhance civic awareness, and a cultural network inspired by Arte to strengthen European identity and unity. Meanwhile, the GBYEN organizations brought together youth-work professionals and organizations to exchange on “Security through Resilience.” Sessions addressed the experiences of Ukrainian youth during the war, cultural preservation in times of crisis, and the need for stronger civil-military cooperation. GBYEN organizations emphasized the need for greater youth involvement in security, resilience, and multi-level cooperation across Europe. The German-Baltic Future Foundation warmly thanks all participants from 20 countries — including experts, cluster teams, and young journalists who documented the event and will later share their insights and reflections. Their engagement showed that young Europeans are not only participants but drivers of a more secure, united, and resilient Europe.

On 16 October, the annual German-Baltic Conference was officially opened at the Latvian National History Museum in Riga, with the central theme being ‘Rethinking Security Through Youth’. A particular highlight of the opening ceremony was the welcome statement by Andrius Kubilius , Commissioner for Defence and Space of the EU , who emphasised the strength of European defence and the importance of young people as future decision-makers: Dear Youth Ambassadors, Andrius Kubilius The current political and security situation around us requires serious rethinking of how we envision our European security architecture in the future. To be ready to defend peace and itself, Europe is taking significant steps to strengthen its own security. This afternoon, the European Commission will present the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030. We are building on the unprecedented decisions we took during this year, which created a ‘big bang’ in defence spending and legal, industrial and political opportunities to boost defence production. Our roadmap creates conditions for clear plans, timetables, deliverables and indicators and a clear reporting and monitoring system, to ramp up procurement and production, bring permanent defence innovation, build European defence flagship projects and produce with, in and for Ukraine. Our roadmap shows all the major milestones to achieve Defence Readiness by 2030, so we can deter Russian aggression, prevent war and preserve peace. Our policy is production, our purpose is peace. But it’s not enough to have only material defence readiness. We must also have institutional defence readiness. Now the United States focuses more and more on the Indo Pacific, Europe needs to take responsibility for its own defence. As President von der Leyen said: This must be Europe’s Independence moment. It’s time to build a European Defence Union. A new security architecture for Europe, to strengthen the European part of NATO, involving also Ukraine, which has unique battle tested experience on the democratic side of the European continent. With also the United Kingdom and Norway on board, to make us much stronger. We need to build also our Political defence readiness - it’s no use having enough modern weapons, if we do not have the political will to fight, to use those weapons to defend ourselves. Putin is using all possible means of hybrid warfare to diminish our political defence readiness. We need to learn to strengthen our political will, to defend ourselves and deter hybrid provocations. In this regard, the theme of this year’s German-Baltic Conference – Rethinking Security Through Youth – is very relevant. Achieving material defence readiness and creating institutional and political defence readiness require the ideas, determination, and will not only of current but also future leaders of Europe. Therefore, by wishing you fruitful discussions today, I also invite you to reflect on the best ways to build defence readiness in order to prevent war and preserve peace. — Andrius Kubilius , welcome statement on the occasion of the German-Baltic Conference 2025

Am 14. Oktober 2025 folgten litauische Jugendliche der Einladung des litauischen DBJW-Landesbüros und besuchten im Rahmen der Tage der Deutschen Sprache den Generalstab der Deutschen Panzerbrigade 45 in Vilnius. Zu Beginn des Treffens berichteten Angehörige der Bundeswehr über die Entscheidung, die Deutsche Brigade in Litauen zu stationieren, über die Entstehungsgeschichte dieses Prozesses sowie über die aktuelle Lage und die künftigen Pläne der deutschen Soldatinnen und Soldaten in Litauen. Im Anschluss kam es zu einem regen Austausch zwischen den Jugendlichen und den Bundeswehrangehörigen. Die Teilnehmenden interessierten sich insbesondere für die Lebensbedingungen der deutschen Soldatinnen und Soldaten in Litauen, ihre Freizeitgestaltung, soziale Initiativen, das Familienleben sowie für Themen rund um deutsche Schulen und Deutschland allgemein. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro stellte sich zudem kurz vor und schlug vor, im Frühjahr 2026 ein Tagesseminar zur Integration der Bundeswehrangehörigen und ihrer Familien zu organisieren. Das DBJW-Landesbüro Litauen bedankt sich herzlich bei der Deutschen Panzerbrigade 45 für das freundliche Treffen, die anregende Diskussion und die Bereitschaft, auch in Zukunft weiterhin eng zusammenzuarbeiten.

On October 1–2, 2025, the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures in Tartu hosted a conference for German teachers and all those interested in the language. As a partner of the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network we were delighted to take part, reconnect with many familiar faces, and make new contacts. From the very first coffee reception, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Following the hosts’ words of greeting, Professor Christoph Schroeder from Potsdam University opened the program with a thought-provoking lecture on the use of artificial intelligence in foreign language teaching. Over the course of the two days, participants could choose from a wide range of talks and workshops on topics such as creative writing, multilingualism, differentiated instruction, and early German learning. What made the event especially valuable was the personal exchange between participants – during breaks, on the guided city tour, or while sharing a meal. The conference thus became not only a source of new ideas but also a place of genuine encounter and lively dialogue. Our conclusion: two days filled with inspiration, conversation, and practical impulses for teaching. A heartfelt thank-you to the organizers for this excellent event – we are already looking forward to the next reunion in Tartu!

Under the new leadership of Kirsti Sinivee, a dynamic and inspiring figure full of energy and fresh ideas, the German-Baltic Future Foundation is dedicated to engaging teenagers aged 13–14 and above in important topics that shape our world. We aim to show that politics, science, and security can be exciting and approachable when young people are actively involved in exploring and discussing them. Also new to the team is Katrin Deren as Deputy Director . At the same time, she works as a German teacher in Southern Estonia, thereby linking the foundation’s activities with school practice – a valuable bridge between education and engagement in the DBJW. As a result, the DBJW Country Office Estonia  is more closely involved throughout the country, connecting with young people and building new partnerships. Thanks to her initiative, many of her students and young people from Southern Estonia also took part in the event. First Stop: Sparkup Tartu Science Park – Space Up Close The day began with a fascinating visit to the Tartu Science Park where participants learned about innovative projects led by Andrus Kurvits. Following this, Sven Lilla introduced the space in an interactive talk, showing that space research isn’t just “far away” – it directly influences our daily lives.  For example: Mobile technology is built on innovations originally developed for space. GPS systems rely entirely on satellites. Advanced camera technology and materials used in sportswear also trace their origins to space research. The students were amazed by how close these concepts are to their everyday experiences, and the session flew by in no time. Tartu Startup Day – Experiencing Entrepreneurship The event also sparked the idea of exploring a possible collaboration with Tartu Startup Day , an annual festival that gathers over 3,000 founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts to celebrate entrepreneurship in the smart city of Tartu. With shared interests – offering young people a platform to express themselves, test their ideas, and be creative – this could open exciting opportunities for future cooperation and for youth to experience the startup world firsthand. Second Stop: VOCO – Practical Learning for the Future Next, we visited Tartu Vocational College (VOCO), one of Estonia’s most innovative vocational schools, offering hands-on training in technology, gastronomy, trades, and creative fields. At VOCO, students and participants enjoyed traditional Estonian kringel and coffee while attending a series of engaging talks: Military Attaché Harald Krempchen provided insight into NATO’s current role and how international coordination works. Aare Reintam, COO of CybExer Technologies, highlighted common online mistakes teens make and stressed the importance of being mindful of digital footprints. The participants were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions and clearly seeing that cyber security is already a real part of their daily lives.   Youth Leading the Way Our  Brand Ambassadors played a key role in guiding the event, facilitating discussions, and later created a playful video that captured the spirit of the day. The student council at VOCO was also enthusiastic about the new partnership, which paves the way for future collaborative initiatives. For the German-Baltic Future Foundation, the message is clear: young people are not just observers – they are active participants shaping conversations, exploring ideas, and helping to define the future of Europe. Together with partners like VOCO and Tartu Startup Day, we are creating experiences where youth can learn, engage, and contribute meaningfully.

This September, the German-Baltic Future Foundation proudly awarded two academic scholarships for the upcoming semester. We warmly congratulate Anike Weisenburger  and Nicolai Siré  on receiving this recognition and wish them every success in their studies! Anike Weisenburger Political Sciences und Economic Corporate Law Leuphana University Lüneburg Germany Nicolai Siré Business Administration Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich Germany

This month, representatives of the German-Baltic Future Foundation (DBJW) ) had the pleasure of attending a seminar in Tartu organized by the Estonian National Youth Council (Eesti Noorteühenduste Liit – ENL). Die Veranstaltung brachte Vertreter der ENL-Mitgliedsorganisationen zusammen, um eine zentrale Frage zu diskutieren: Wie können wir mehr junge Menschen gewinnen, die sich aktiv in unseren Organisationen engagieren? The event brought together representatives from ENL’s member organizations to explore one central question: How can we attract more young people to join and actively participate in our organizations? The program combined lectures and seminar sessions, giving participants the chance to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss the challenges of youth engagement today. For DBJW, which only recently joined ENL, it was an excellent opportunity to learn, connect, and begin shaping future cooperation in Estonia. ENL’s vision is clear: every road begins with a dream. The organization works to strengthen youth associations across Estonia, advocate for their interests nationally and internationally, and foster active youth participation in society. This mission resonates strongly with DBJW’s own commitment to empowering young people, building networks, and opening doors for cross-border dialogue. We were warmly welcomed by ENL’s Deputy Chair and Head of Member Development, Helene, who expressed enthusiasm for new ideas and collaboration opportunities. One exciting prospect we shared was the German-Baltic Conference (GBC) 2025, DBJW’s flagship event, which will take place in Riga from October 16–19, 2025 under the theme  Rethinking Security Through Youth. The ENL network was also excited to hear about another upcoming DBJW event in Tartu on September 25, 2025:  Defending the Future: Cyber Security and German–Estonian Security Relations. The seminar will explore the current threats and status of cyber security, as well as the increasingly important security relations between Germany and Estonia. The event will be opened by the German ambassador to Estonia, Jan Scheer, followed by a seminar by Aare Reintam, Chief Operational Officer and Member of the Executive Board of CybExer Technologies, and a workshop held by Harald Krempchen, German Defence Attaché in Estonia. The event will take place in a hybrid form, allowing participation both on-site in Tartu and via Zoom. We are only at the beginning of a journey toward developing future projects together, where the German-Baltic Future Foundation and ENL can join forces to offer Estonian youth diverse opportunities for learning, dialogue, and participation – not only within Estonia but also across Europe. With such promising perspectives ahead, we look forward with great excitement to future cooperation and to creating many more inspiring encounters

Vom 8. bis 10. August nahm das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro als Partnerorganisation am jährlichen Sommertreffen der DAAD-Alumni teil. In diesem Jahr fand die Veranstaltung in der niederlitauischen Stadt Plungė statt und stand unter dem aktuellen Leitthema „Deutsch-litauische Zusammenarbeit in Sicherheit und Verteidigung“. Am ersten Tag wurden die Teilnehmenden vom Bürgermeister der Stadt Plungė, Herrn Audrius Klišonis, empfangen. Anschließend erhielten sie einen Einblick in die Herausforderungen und Errungenschaften der Stadt, stellten den litauischen DAAD-Alumni-Verein sowie die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung vor und erkundeten die Umgebung. Der zweite Tag war dem Kernthema des Treffens gewidmet und begann mit einer Podiumsdiskussion im Saal des Oginski-Schlosses. Moderiert wurde sie von Frau Laurita Markevičiūtė-Zakarevičė (Zentrum für Physische und Technologiewissenschaften). Auf dem Podium diskutierten Frau Fausta Šimaitytė, Leiterin des litauischen Büros der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Frau Eglė Skeiverytė-Razauskienė, Referentin für Verteidigungsfragen an der Deutschen Botschaft Vilnius und Herr Vilius Semeška, Vorstandsmitglied von „Lithuania Defense Services“ und ehemaliger Vizeverteidigungsminister. Die Diskutierenden gaben einen Überblick über die aktuellen sicherheitspolitischen Themen in Deutschland und Litauen, erörterten politische Positionen und konkrete Schritte beider Länder, berichteten über den Stand der Stationierung der deutschen Brigade in Litauen und unterstrichen die Bedeutung einer engen bilateralen Zusammenarbeit. Dabei wurde die Hoffnung auf Frieden in der Region deutlich hervorgehoben. Im Anschluss folgten eine Schlossführung, der Besuch der Ausstellung des belgischen Künstlers Arne Quinze sowie ein klassisches Konzert der Deutschland-Alumni Kristina Zmailaitė und Edmundas Seilius. Den Abschluss bildete eine Kontaktbörse, bei der bestehende Verbindungen vertieft und neue Partnerschaften geknüpft wurden. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro sieht dem weiteren Austausch mit dem DAAD-Alumniverein und den Partnern der Podiumsdiskussion mit großer Zuversicht entgegen. Fotos von Vaidotas Kažukauskas