Suchergebnisse

We are thrilled to share highlights from the 12th Digi-Breakfast hosted by the DBJW Estonian country office on February 28th, held at the MTÜ Mondo office in Tallinn. This event marked a special collaboration with MTÜ Mondo, focusing on the engaging concept of Model UN. Attendees had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand how Model UN simulations operate, blending both online participation and in-person engagement. At DBJW, we cherish these moments of learning and cultural exchange, where participants delve into German-speaking cultures and beyond. Our Digi-Breakfast series continues to grow, offering a platform for meaningful connections and insightful discussions. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on future events that promise to be just as enriching. We look forward to welcoming new faces eager to explore and engage with us at our upcoming events. Join us on this journey of discovery and cultural exchange!

We are pleased to share that we have officially presented our open letter to  Dr. Markus Faber , Chairman of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag! In collaboration with representatives from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany, the letter highlights the urgent need to strengthen Germany’s security infrastructure and reinforce Europe’s collective defense.  Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and shifting global dynamics, we emphasize the importance of increased defense spending, stronger European cooperation and a more proactive security strategy. The German Baltic Future Foundation expresses its gratitude to everyone who contributed - whether through discussions at our PLS or by shaping the content of this joint letter. Slava Ukraini! From left to right: Jost Wiethölter (Webmaster at DBJW), Linus Kühl (Head of the German Country Office at DBJW), Dr. Markus Faber ( Chairman of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag), Holger Draber (Brigadier General of the Army of the Bundeswehr and Commander of the Bundeswehr Logistics School)

Am 26. Februar 2025 nahm das Team des litauischen DBJW-Landesbüros gemeinsam mit einigen Studierenden des Lehrstuhls für deutsche Philologie der Universität Vilnius am Neumitglieder-Event der Deutsch-Baltischen Handelskammer teil.   Die Veranstaltung fand in den Räumlichkeiten der internationalen Anwaltskanzlei „Sorainen“ statt. Im Rahmen des Events wurden die Aktivitäten der AHK-Baltikum, ihre Pläne für das kommende Jahr sowie die neuen Mitglieder vorgestellt. Zu den neu aufgenommenen Unternehmen zählen: die Anwaltskanzlei „Sorainen“, das Personalberatungsunternehmen „Imlė“, die Softwareentwicklungsfirma „Lever X“, der Umzugsdienstleister „ELP Moving“, der Hersteller von Stromverteilungseinrichtungen „Elga“, das Unternehmen für industrielle Anlagen „Machinery Assist“, der Vertriebsspezialist „Osama“ sowie das Litauische Rote Kreuz.   Im zweiten Teil der Veranstaltung hatten die Vertreter des DBJW und der Universität Vilnius die Gelegenheit, in informeller Atmosphäre mit den Unternehmensvertretern ins Gespräch zu kommen, Fragen zu stellen und wertvolle interkulturelle Kommunikationserfahrungen zu sammeln.   Ein herzliches Dankeschön geht an den stellvertretenden Geschäftsführer der AHK Baltikum, Dominic Otto, die Leiterin des Litauen-Büros, Audronė Gurinskienė, sowie an Justina Bražionienė, Managerin für Mitgliedschaften und Veranstaltungen, für ihre Unterstützung, ihre Ideen und die hervorragende Organisation dieses Events.

For the first time ever, Youth Ambassadors from the DBJW annual German-Baltic Conference had the opportunity to present their policy papers at national parliamentary hearings across Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. On November 29th, 2024 , Cluster B, which addressed AI in Healthcare , shared its insights and recommendations with MPs at the Latvian Parliament in Riga. This article captures the reflections of a Young Journalist, Sarah Mackel , who attended the session, exploring her impressions of the discussions and key takeaways. Cluster B at the Latvian Parliament Sarah Mackel On November 27, 2024, the AI in Healthcare cluster from the German-Baltic Conference gathered in Riga, Latvia, to present five months of research to the Latvian Saeima. This marked their first in-person meeting since finalizing their policy paper in Lithuania, where they had spent four days tailoring recommendations for AI integration into Latvia’s healthcare system. Parliamentary assistant Visvaldis Bērziņš, a conference alumnus himself, welcomed the group before leading them on a tour of the historic Saeima building.  Youth ambassadors were introduced to Latvia’s legislative process, current political debates, and the workings of parliament. The group then moved to another Saeima building for a hearing, attended by three Members of Parliament, including Aiga Balode, Deputy State Secretary for Digitalization at the Latvian Ministry of Health, and Jana Simanovska, a parliamentarian with expertise in environmental and health policy. At the heart of the discussion was Latvia’s post-COVID recovery and how to reduce pressure on the nation’s healthcare system. With challenges ranging from workforce shortages to digital transformation, the debate explored how innovation—especially AI—could play a role in shaping the future of healthcare. Cluster B’s policy paper proposed several applications of AI and digital technologies here, including: A centralized electronic health record system to reduce diagnostic delays by giving doctors faster access to patient histories. Interdisciplinary health communication platforms, similar to Ukraine’s e-Health system, to streamline specialist collaboration. Digital twin technology to improve pandemic preparedness by simulating disease spread and resource needs. AI-driven automation of administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, freeing up medical staff for patient care. Enhanced AI-supported diagnostics, offering doctors faster, data-driven recommendations. The youth ambassadors also emphasised the need for compliance with EU data privacy regulations, ensuring that patients control who accesses their data and that all actions are logged for transparency. They highlighted AI’s potential in medical research—tools like KNIT, which summarize and analyse research papers, could help doctors stay up to date with the latest medical findings, improving treatment outcomes and disease prevention. Beyond healthcare improvements, these innovations could lead to economic benefits by reducing inefficiencies and redirecting resources toward salaries and equipment. While there was broad agreement on AI’s potential, the discussion also raised several critical concerns. Legal accountability in AI-assisted medical decisions was a major issue—ensuring that responsibility remains with human healthcare professionals, even when AI plays a role. They also discussed AI’s environmental impact, questioning how the technology’s high energy demands align with Latvia’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Cybersecurity risks were another focal point. CERT.LV , Latvia’s cybersecurity reporting platform, has highlighted increasing cyber threats in recent years, raising questions about the safety of centralising healthcare records. Policymakers also examined the feasibility of implementing AI solutions across Latvia, especially in rural areas where infrastructure gaps could limit accessibility. Despite these concerns, there was broad agreement that AI could play a vital role in improving Latvia’s healthcare system, provided that it is introduced thoughtfully and incrementally. The parliamentarians acknowledged the value of engaging with young, innovative voices but stressed the importance of a balanced approach to AI integration. Overall, the discussion underscored that integrating AI into Latvia’s healthcare system is not a straightforward set of decisions. While digitalisation and artificial intelligence have the potential to increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes, they also introduce legal, ethical, and infrastructural challenges that need careful navigation. The key challenge lies in balancing these factors—i.e., leveraging innovation without compromising security, accessibility, or accountability. For those involved, this was more than just an academic discussion—it was an opportunity to contribute to ongoing policy conversations in the EU; through participating in this hearing, participants had the chance to share their insights with policymakers and have their voices heard.   The session ended with discussions about future collaboration, with parliamentarians and students exploring opportunities for internships, further research presentations, and partnerships with other stakeholders. This dialogue opened doors for ongoing engagement between policymakers and the next generation. The dialogue also made clear that progress will not only depend on technological advancements, but also on thoughtful policymaking and inclusive discussions. As these conversations continue, the focus will need to remain on ensuring that any policy decisions serve the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. In the end, this exchange wasn’t just academic or political—it was a tangible opportunity for young people to influence policy and participate in meaningful conversations. The hearing showed that current leaders are open to new perspectives, and that young people have a say in the decisions being made in the world that they will grow into. The initiative, supported by the German-Baltic Future Foundation, ensured that the next generation’s perspectives will be heard in shaping the future of healthcare in Latvia.

Each year in Dresden, as part of the Deutschlandstipendium initiative, the Hegenbarth scholarships are awarded to two students in the Meisterschüler program at the city’s Academy of Fine Arts. On January 23rd, the Städtische Galerie Dresden opened Rotelinie ("Red Lines"), a joint showcase by this year’s Hegenbarth Scholars, Si Cheng and Gleb Konkin-von Serebrowski. This year’s showcase opened with speeches from the gallery’s director, curator, and sponsors, who reflected on the scholarship’s history and introduced the artists. Speeches discussed the artists’ creative processes, their inspirations, and the works’ relevance to current issues, after which a local choir, sponsored by the DBJW, performed traditional Lithuanian folk music. Guests then headed up to the showcase in the Neue Galerie’s Project Space, where the choir intermittently performed traditional Ukrainian and Lithuanian music. Representatives from the DBJW, including its chairman Thomas von Lupke, and Anna Behrens, the head of the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network, were in attendance at the vernissage, where they helped to represent their organisations to gallery officials and audience members alike. The event concluded with a reception in the Galerie’s foyer, where conversation and reflection continued over drinks. Between discussions, the choir gave several more performances, as guests mingled with faculty staff and curators, and the artists discussed their work. A Look into the Showcase: The 2024 Hegenbarth Scholars Born in 1994 in Xinjiang, Si Cheng first trained in visual communication in Xiamen before moving to Germany in 2016 and enrolling at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts in 2018. Her work combines foam, paper, and thread into finely-sewn structures, often focused on organic motifs and biological elements, to address the aesthetics of ephemerality, decay, and memory, and question the importance thereof in society. On the right side of the room, her work "Rebirth" hangs from the ceiling, glowing softly and swaying as audience members walk by. Nearby, two wall-mounted works take a closer look at a universal human experience - how a child discovers the world by putting a hand up to the light of the sun, watching how light exposes the blood vessels within. Fine red threads run through the foam of the installations, mimicking blood vessels, and electric light quietly shines through the foam and paper structures, illuminating the room. Red ropes also stretch across the ceiling and walls, connecting elements of the exhibition, reinforcing the idea of unseen bonds running across time and space. Born in 1997 in St. Petersburg, Gleb Konkin-von Serebrowski first trained as a forensic archaeologist in 2008 before moving to Germany and enrolling at the Academy in 2016. His archaeological training is a recurrent theme throughout his work; his installation, “Was essen wir heute zum Abendbrot?” works with found historical objects to explore themes of collective and personal trauma. On the near side of the room, a table is set with fragmented kitchenware recovered from the 1945 bombing of Dresden. Impacts from shelling mirror matching cut-outs in the table’s surface, emphasizing the void left by the items’ destruction. Nearby, a mural displays more objects recovered from the rubble of World War II: the remains of commonplace household items, including kitchenware, cutlery, and cooking utensils, salvaged from scrap heaps, are carefully arranged under a spotlight. © Frank K. Richter-Hoffmann Red Lines: Threading Memory Through Art Both artists explore the processes or experiences that interlink us as both individuals and members of society, especially the importance of memory, and the simultaneous transience and fragility of life. “Rebirth” examines this theme through a recurrent motif in Si Cheng’s work - the life cycle of an octopus, an animal whose civilisation is marked by its inability to transmit generational memory. The octopus, being incredibly intelligent, is the animal considered to have the highest potential to form a civilisation. However, its reproductive process, during which both parents die, means that each generation of children is born without any form of memory or society. Born in isolation, they fend for themselves and die upon mating, repeating this life cycle ad infinitam. The void left by this lack of generational memory, the permanence of disappearance without memory as a form of endurance against time, and the fragility and loneliness of an existence without context, are constantly referred to in her central work. Having no shared history through which to transmit stories, octopi’s lives are markedly transient despite their intelligence, with no possibility for memory of those who pass away. The viewer is invited to reflect on the fragility and ephemerality of this life cycle through the installation, which sways as audience members walk by, and pulses with electric light. In doing so, they are also forced to reflect on the ephemerality of human life, and the role that memory and transience play in their personal narratives: the work invites a painful awareness of the loneliness of existence without memory or community. The rest of Cheng’s installation, and the contemplation of common human experiences, works to reaffirm that humankind has ties that bind it together and shares common experiences, such as discovering the world in childhood. As such, it becomes a quiet, subtle commentary on the importance of community and the invisible ties that connect us. “Was essen wir heute zum Abendbrot?”, on the other hand, is not just a reflection on intergenerational memory, but also a bitter reckoning with Dresden’s own past, and a broader reflection on civilian suffering in war, and how civilian survivors of war carry its trauma even after conflict ends - in both the past and present. It confronts the viewer with the void that conflict and trauma leave in their wake, creating permanent holes in the fabric of daily living. The banality of the recovered objects contrasts with the deliberate way that they are arranged, and the way that they are highlighted by spotlights in the Project Space; the viewer’s innate familiarity with household objects, and identification with these, is contrasted with their state of decay and destruction. Suddenly, the viewer is conscious that these objects were once owned and used, and become aware of the fragility, and potential precariousness, of their own daily lives. These once-mundane items now serve as silent witnesses to loss, forcing the viewer to consider the everyday lives disrupted by war. As viewers walk by, the ghosts at the table walk amongst them, juxtaposing past and present. As such, in exploring what happens when we turn attention to a common thing that others may overlook, both artists highlight the fragility of life and the importance of memory. The viewer is invited to see through the eyes of the past, or the eyes of a child, and then come back to their own world to reflect. The exhibition’s title, Rotelinie, carries layered significance. These eponymous red lines refer to more than the physical red lines in the space. They are the links between us, our ghosts, and the history that ties us to them - in short, the thread that constitutes collective memory. In China, red lines, or red threads, commonly symbolise fate. In certain regions, red threads can also symbolise familial connections and ancestral ties. Cheng’s “Rebirth” comments on these connections through cycles of renewal and loss, or as the physical presences of red threads depicting blood vessels throughout her work. Meanwhile, Konkin-von Serebrowski’s work anchors itself in historical trauma and its lingering presence, reflecting on “red lines” as the humanitarian lines that are crossed when trauma is inflicted, and the scars that are left in its wake. The red line represents, in turn, the lifeblood that feeds children as they grow, the invisible ties of fate that connect individuals and communities, the red lines that humanity cannot afford to cross, and the scars left when it does. The DBJW’s Role: Folk Music and its Importance in Collective Memory The traditional choir sponsored by the DBJW played a central role in reinforcing these themes. Folk songs, passed down through generations, serve as a living repository of history, carrying collective memory through melody and tradition - something often exemplified in DBJW’s events, such as in Riga, which help showcase traditional Latvian music and dance. Choir members, some of them Ukrainian refugees, pointed out that collective singing is a powerful way through which a community processes its own history and memory, including its trauma, and heals therefrom: it is an act that unites and brings together individuals into a collective, and a powerful tool for healing. The juxtaposition of the exhibited works, their messages, and the choir’s presence not only superimposed themes of loss and healing, but also of past and present. The traditional Ukrainian music was also a stark reminder of the current relevance of the exhibition’s themes. Art, at its core, is about attention and what we choose to give a stage to—art challenges us to pay attention, whether to history, to our experiences, or to the forces shaping our world. Rotelinie invites visitors to consider what connects us, how we remember, and what we pass down across generations. It asks: What happens when memory is lost, or we are unable to learn from it? How do we preserve what connects rather than divides us? In doing so, it invites us to take responsibility for the memory we inherit, and how we use it to shape the decision that we make. Because, as we carry on patterns and memories, we also carry within us the ability to shape the future. That is, as both artists remind us, so long as we can learn from the past and remember the lines that connect us. Nothing is set in stone - neither our stories nor our decisions. And unlike the subjects of the artworks on display, we have the opportunity to learn from the past and create a different future, in which we consciously pass on what connects rather than divides, what strengthens rather than weakens. Rotelinie runs until March 23, 2025, at the Städtische Galerie Dresden. On February 27, an Artists' Talk will provide further insights into the exhibition and creative process. © Frank K. Richter-Hoffmann

This year marked a historic milestone for the DBJW annual German-Baltic Conference : for the first time, Youth Ambassadors presented their policy papers to national parliaments in Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania after the conference. On November 18th, 2024 , Cluster D, focusing on AI in Climate Change Management , engaged with Estonian MPs in Tallinn. In this article, Youth Ambassador, Tom Teske , shares his perspective on the parliamentary hearing and reflects on the dynamic discussions that unfolded: Cluster D has ceremoniously presented its policy paper to the Estonian Parliament - Field report of the parliamentary hearing in Tallinn More than two months of work went into the eleven-page paper that we, Cluster D of the Youth Ambassadors at the Baltic-German Conference 2024 in Vilnius, ceremoniously presented to a delegation of Estonian parliamentarians on the afternoon of 18 November. In our work, we have explored various ways of using artificial intelligence to combat climate change in Estonia and to deal with its consequences in the best possible way. To this end, we have submitted a total of eight recommendations for action to the Estonian government in four sectors, namely agriculture, construction, energy and biodiversity. Our recommendations range from supporting Estonian farmers in the use of smart farming systems with a focus on sustainability to the use of AI in the monitoring and protection of nature reserves and wildlife populations. After a restful night in a hostel not far from the UNESCO-protected medieval old town of Tallinn, we used the morning of 18 November for a short exploration tour of the city, including a visit to the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the Upper Town. We were later to learn that the cathedral is not entirely uncontroversial among the Estonian public and that there were even plans to demolish the building, as it was clearly related to the Russian occupation and thus represented an inappropriate disfigurement of the view from the Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament. After this brief stopover, we made our way to the other side of the street, to the entrance of the parliament. Our guide for the afternoon, Anna Kruusmäe, was already waiting for us there. Firstly, she gave us a detailed tour of the stately rooms of the parliament building and gave us interesting insights into her day-to-day work as a political advisor to the liberal group in parliament. The highlight of this tour was being able to observe parliament in action. Just a moment ago we were looking at the empty chamber downstairs, twenty minutes later we found ourselves in the visitors' gallery and were able to look over the shoulder of the Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, among others, from above. After this exciting experience, it was time for us to get down to business. The appointment with the four parliamentarians was on the programme. All four politicians who had agreed to meet with us were from the parliamentary group of the liberal Reformierakond party, which leads the governing coalition in Estonia. On the one hand, this may make the composition of the group appear one-sided, but on the other hand, as the largest governing party, the party also has the best opportunity to put our proposals into practice. In addition, the composition of the group offered quite a bit of diversity in terms of personnel. The youngest member of the Riigikogu and climate expert Hanah Lahe, the former Minister of Information Technology Andres Sutt, the philosophy professor at the University of Tartu Margit Sutrop and the physicist Mario Kadastik provided a certain breadth of opinions and expertise despite having the same party membership. After taking around half an hour to present the Cluster D proposals to our counterparts, we then entered into a substantive dialogue about our proposals. We heard clear interest in our proposals, but were also made aware, among other things, that it is important to communicate with the population at every step of the implementation of such measures. In any case, we left the negotiation room with a good feeling about the constructive atmosphere and are convinced that we have done our best to provide the Estonian government with new options for managing climate change with the help of AI. After the obligatory final photo in the Parliament's ballroom, we rounded off the successful day in a nice pub in the trendy Telliskivi neighbourhood. This Parliamentary Hearing closed the circle for us as Cluster D in the Estonian capital and we are now a lot richer in experience, knowledge and contacts after our work as Youth Ambassadors. Many thanks to everyone involved and, of course, especially to the German-Baltic Future Foundation for this great opportunity! Tom Teske (Youth Ambassador Cluster D)

Listen to the recordings of the framework programme of the German-Baltic Conference 2024   on Spotify : The opening ceremony with welcoming remarks and a keynote speech by Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart: “ The Military Can’t Do it Alone: Building Resilience Across the Whole of Society ” The panel discussion “ Weaponising Disinformation: Insights from Ukraine and the EU’s Response ” The keynote speech by Erika Kuročkina: “ Building a Future-Ready Workforce: AI, Youth, and Education in the Baltics ” Moreover, we are very happy to publish two podcast episodes by our dedicated Young journalists, Tanishka Murthy  and Gleb Konkin-von Serebrowski . Tanishka followed the work of the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network and reports on her experience in her podcast episode. Gleb conducted an interview with cluster C’s (focusing on the topic of AI and disinformation) expert Tammo Polle.  Since 2019, the German-Baltic Conference (GBC) has brought together young people from all over Europe to meet in one of the major Baltic cities, giving them a platform to make their voices heard. From 24 to 27 October 2024 , participants of this year’s conference had the opportunity to join working groups in Vilnius that focus on policy development and civic engagement. Four clusters with 36 young individuals ( Youth Ambassadors ) were engaged in developing sustainable policy approaches in the realms of the environment, economy, society, and values – drafting their own policy and position papers around the topic “ AI for Europe: Reinventing Crisis Management ” that subsequently will be disseminated to political actors and decision-makers. Concurrently, the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN) has brought together stakeholders from civil society, administration, politics, and beyond, to explore future challenges and opportunities of youth exchange in the Baltic region and Europe. The conference provided them with an inspiring programme comprising networking opportunities, expert keynotes, and insight into local best practice and culture. Since 2023, the DBJW has supplemented the conference’s programme by offering five young people the possibility to participate as Young   journalists , shadowing the work of one of the clusters and of the GBYEN group. Throughout the conference, they closely accompany the discussions and the development of the end results and present in a creative way what the GBC looks like from the inside.

Am 5. Februar wurde Gilma Plūkienė, Deutschlehrerin am Viekšniai-Gymnasium im Bezirk Mažeikiai, als „Deutschlehrerin des Jahres 2024“ ausgezeichnet. Sie erhielt den Preis für ihr herausragendes Engagement in der Förderung der deutschen Sprache und Kultur sowie für ihre innovativen Lehrmethoden und außerunterrichtlichen Aktivitäten. Die Preisverleihung wurde von einer Delegation hochrangiger Vertreter akademischer und bildungspolitischer Institutionen begleitet. Zur Preisverleihung und zur Ehrung der Preisträgerin reisten Dr. Justina Daunorienė, Dozentin am Institut für deutsche Philologie der Universität Vilnius (VU) sowie Organisatorin und Durchführerin der Initiative, Indrė Aukštikalnienė, stellvertretende Leiterin des litauischen Büros der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung und Deutschlehrerin, Dr. Daumantas Katinas, Dozent am Institut für deutsche Philologie der VU, Leiter des litauischen Büros der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung sowie Mitorganisator der Initiative, sowie Dr. Eglė Kontutytė, Dozentin am Institut für deutsche Philologie der VU und Absolventin des Viekšniai-Gymnasiums. Die Preisträgerin wurde zudem von der stellvertretenden Bürgermeisterin des Bezirks Mažeikiai, Kristina Juškevičienė, der leitenden Fachreferentin der Bildungsabteilung der Bezirksverwaltung, Jelena Sutkienė, der Schulgemeinschaft des Viekšniai-Gymnasiums sowie weiteren Gästen beglückwünscht. Die Auszeichnung „Deutschlehrer/-in des Jahres“ wurde von der Philologischen Fakultät der Universität Vilnius ins Leben gerufen und wird seit vier Jahren verliehen. Ziel ist es, die Arbeit von Deutschlehrkräften in Litauen zu würdigen und die deutsche Sprache zu fördern. Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung unterstützt diese Initiative und setzt sich für den intensiveren Austausch zwischen Bildungseinrichtungen in Litauen und Deutschland ein, um die kulturellen und wirtschaftlichen Verbindungen beider Länder zu stärken. Alle Fotos sind von der Bezirksverwaltung Mažeikiai

2024 haben die Projektleiterschulung (PLS) in Darmstadt und das GBYEN-Netzwerktreffen in Lüneburg, das Schwerpunktseminar Riga (SPS Riga), das Paul-Schiemann-Seminar (PSS) in Odziena/Lettland, das Vorbereitungsmeeting in Annaberg/Bonn, der Baltische Jugend- und Studentenkongress (BJSK) in Lüneburg, die DBK Vilnius2024 sowie ein Seminar für unsere neuen Markenbotschafter (Brand Ambassadors)  in Potsdam stattgefunden. Das Schwerpunktseminar Tartu (SPS Tartu) mussten wir leider wegen nicht bewilligter Fördergelder absagen.   Zur Deutsch-Baltischen Konferenz (DBK) Vilnius2024  waren wie geplant ca. 130 Teilnehmende aus 16 Ländern präsent, darunter auch zahlreiche Vertreter der Litauenbrigade. Das Feedback für alle Veranstaltungen war wieder sehr positiv. Eine noch viel größere Zahl an Personen haben wir über unsere Auftritte in den Sozialen Medien erreicht. Auf der Konferenz haben sich 36 aus 250 Bewerber:innen ausgewählte ehrenamtliche Jugendbotschafter:innen  unter Anleitung unserer vier Heads of Cluster, Egija Graudina, Harriet Klepper, Ronja Pohl und Sergej Stoma mit dem Thema „Künstliche Intelligenz“ auseinandergesetzt und vier Policy Papers entwickelt, um diese mit Entscheidern aus Politik, Wirtschaft und NGOs  zu diskutieren und den entwickelten Ideen an entscheidenden Stellen Gehör zu verschaffen. Die Einladungen zu parlamentarischen Anhörungen in allen vier Ländern werten wir als sehr erfreuliches Interesse an unserer Arbeit.   2024 konnten wir für unser 2021 neu gegründetes  German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN) weitere Netzwerkpartner gewinnen. Es bietet allen Akteuren des Jugendaustauschs zwischen dem Baltikum und Deutschland die Möglichkeit, sich an einem zentralen Ort zu präsentieren, zu vernetzen, von den eigenen Projekten zu berichten und künftige Projekte anzukündigen. Besonders wichtig ist uns die Vernetzung mit zwei ukrainischen Organisationen und dem Herder-Institut in Marburg. 2024 konnte diese Arbeit durch ein großes Netzwerktreffen in Lüneburg weiter intensiviert werden.   Zusätzlich zu den Seminaren, dem Kongress und der Konferenz haben wir die Arbeit unserer  Landesbüros  stark ausgeweitet, so dass sie den Bekanntheitsgrad des DBJW durch ihr intensives Engagement stark steigern können. Die Landesbüros halten Kontakt zu Politikern, zu den GBYEN-Partnern und repräsentieren die Arbeit der Zukunftsstiftung bei vielen Veranstaltungen. 2024 fand bspw. wieder der Essay-Wettbewerb  statt (organisiert durch das Landesbüro Lettland), dieses Mal unter dem Motto „Die Baltischen Länder in Europa – Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft“. Auch organisiert das Landesbüro gemeinsam mit dem Volksbund Kriegsgräberfürsorge Veranstaltungen. Das Landesbüro Estland hat unter anderem zahlreiche Digi-Frühstücke  zu aktuellen Themen mit teilweise über 100 Teilnehmenden und ein Erasmus-Projekt für ukrainische Kinder in Estland durchgeführt.  Das Landesbüro Litauen war verantwortlich für den Fotowettbewerb  „Die baltische Fotoreise” und stark mit der Vorbereitung der Konferenz beschäftigt. Das Landesbüro Deutschland hat seine Vortragsreihe „sustainable mornings“ fortgesetzt und im August ein Seminar "Demokratie in der Zerreißprobe!“ veranstaltet.   Die Stiftung konnte 2024 vier Stipendien  gewähren. Hervorzuheben ist eine Gruppe der Philisterschaft   der Fraternitas Dorpatensis  zu München, die einen Großteil der Spenden für Stipendiat:innen in Tartu aufbringt. Auch fördert die Stiftung pro Baltia  eine Germanistikstudentin aus Litauen für vier Semester. Im Rahmen der Ausbildungsförderung aus dem Birkfonds hat die Stiftung aktuell sieben Darlehensnehmer.   Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung (DBJW) ist ein selbstständiger Verein, der ab 2023 die Aktivitäten der Deutschbaltischen Studienstiftung übernommen hat. Der Vorstand  besteht aus Thomas von Lüpke, Tatjana Vollers und Bernd Vogenbeck. Die Leiter:innen der Landesbüros  waren Kirsti Sinivee (Estland), Rozite Katrina Ponne (Lettland), Daumantas Katinas (Litauen) und Maximilian Wende/Linus Kühl (Deutschland).   Im Leitungsteam der DBK haben sich 2024 Anna Lelkes, Alexandra Ehresmann und Nelda Oseniece als Koordinationsleitung  erfolgreich engagiert. Anna Behrens hat Mitte des Jahres die Leitung des GBYEN  übernommen und plant, dessen Aktivitäten noch deutlich stärker auszubauen. Maximilian Wende als Zukunftsmanager  bereitet die Zukunftsstiftung gut auf die Herausforderungen der nächsten Jahre vor. Er koordiniert u.a. den Leitbildprozess, die konzeptionelle Arbeit und das Fundraising. Johanna Mogwitz hat als stellvertretende   Geschäftsführerin  viele neu Managementinstrumente implementiert und damit das Fundament der wachsenden Stiftung gestärkt. Peter Sinivee als Koordinator Landesbüros  und Leiter Kommunikation  hat den Bekanntheitsgrad der Zukunftsstiftung deutlich gesteigert und wesentlich zum Wachstum beigetragen. Viele weitere Teamer stehen mit Rat und Tat für einzelne Projekte – vielfach ehrenamtlich – bereit. Insgesamt engagieren sich derzeit , mehr als 70 Personen in der Stiftung.   Zahlreiche Gespräche mit Ministerien, Abgeordneten sowie den Botschaftern Estlands, Lettlands und Litauens haben dazu geführt, dass wir seit 2019 bereits sechs große Netzwerkkonferenzen veranstalten konnten. Der aktuelle Zuwendungsbescheid des Auswärtigen Amtes gilt für das Vier-Jahres-Projekt Deutsch-Baltische Konferenzen 2022-2025 . Besonders dankbar sind wir für die Aufstockung unserer 2024er Mittel durch den Deutschen Bundestag. Durch die vorläufige Haushaltsführung des Bundes werden sich für unsere 2025er Arbeit wesentliche Zuwendungsbescheide leider erheblich verzögern.   Zuwendungen  erhielten wir insbesondere vom Auswärtigen Amt , vom Bundesministerium des Innern  (BMI), der Beauftragten für Kultur und Medien  (BKM), von der djo  – Deutsche Jugend in Europa, der Mildtätigen Stiftung des  Verbandes der Baltischen Ritterschaften , der von-Wahl-Stiftung , der DBGes in Niedersachsen  und privaten Spendern . Gemeinsam mit unserem Zukunftsmanager setzt sich Thomas von Lüpke weiterhin dafür ein, im Rahmen der Auswärtigen Kultur- und Bildungspolitik  auch in der Zukunft Finanzmittel für die Landesbüros  und für die Deutsch-Baltischen Konferenzen zu erhalten. Die Partnerschaft mit dem Deutschen Kulturforum östliches   Europa  sehen wir weiterhin als wichtig an. Im Rahmen unseres Leitbildprozesses haben wir folgende Vision formuliert: „Die Jugend in den baltischen Staaten und Deutschland stellt sich gestärkt aktuellen Herausforderungen für ein friedliches und nachhaltiges Zusammenleben in einem demokratischen Europa.“   Durch das herausragende Engagement und die  Begeisterung unserer Teamer  sowie durch die große Unterstützung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und anderer Förderer  konnte das DBJW auch 2024 seine Mission erfüllen, sich für Austausch und Verständigung zwischen jungen Erwachsenen aus Deutschland, den baltischen Staaten und der Ukraine auf den Grundlagen von Rechtsstaat, Demokratie und Menschenrechten einzusetzen. Wir danken allen Förderern, Mitwirkenden und Unterstützern.   Der Stiftungszweck wurde erfüllt. Bremen, 31. Januar 2025

In May 2024 the country office Estonia initiated the new solidarity project Socializing Unites Us! funded by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union. At the first gathering of this year, we enjoyed the charms of the winter season - ice skating and a walk to the beach. We had 14 participants, and it was nice to see that almost all of them felt comfortable being on the ice. And of course, the pizza together with hot tea was the most enjoyable part of the event. For more information on the project, visit the page of the Estonian country office

Am 24. Oktober 2024 wurde die Deutsch-Baltische Konferenz in der eindrucksvollen Aula Parva der Universität Vilnius feierlich eröffnet. Die historische Kulisse unterstrich die Bedeutung dieses Anlasses, welcher auch hochrangige Vertreter aus Politik, Wissenschaft und Militär versammelte, um einen Beitrag zu leisten. Zu den Rednern gehörten unter anderem Thomas von Lüpke, Chairman der German-Baltic Future Foundation, der damalige litauische Verteidigungsminister Laurynas Kasčiūnas sowie Saulius Olencevičius, der im Namen von Präsident Gitanas Nausėda sprach. Auch Dr. Cornelius Zimmermann, Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Litauen, Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rektor der Universität Vilnius, und Generalleutnant Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart trugen mit inspirierenden Reden zum erfolgreichen Auftakt der Konferenz bei. . Die feierliche Atmosphäre, geprägt von der beeindruckenden Architektur der Aula Parva, schuf den perfekten Rahmen für dieses besondere Event. 📽 Das Video zur Eröffnungszeremonie findet Ihr hier:   Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung bedankt sich nochmal von ganzem Herzen bei allen Rednern, Organisatoren, Experten, Teilnehmern und Unterstützern, die diese Konferenz so besonders und wertvoll gemacht haben und blickt mit voller Vorfreude auf die Deutsch-Baltische Konferenz 2025!

Am 6. Dezember 2024 nahm das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro, vertreten durch Indrė Aukštikalnien ė und Daumantas Katinas, am Festival der deutschen Lieder teil und stiftete einen eigenen Preis. Das Festival der deutschen Lieder wurde 2010 vom Litauischen Deutschlehrerverband mit Unterstützung des Goethe-Instituts Vilnius ins Leben gerufen. Ziel der Veranstaltung ist es, jungen Menschen die deutsche Sprache und Kultur durch Musik näherzubringen, ihre Leidenschaft für Musik zu fördern und eine Plattform zu schaffen, auf der Talente entdeckt und kulturelle Brücken gebaut werden können. Zu Beginn der Veranstaltung hielten mehrere Ehrengäste Grußworte, darunter: Valdemaras Kaupinis , Schulleiter des Mykolas-Biržiška-Gymnasiums in Vilnius, Donalda Meiželytė , Vizebürgermeisterin der Stadt Vilnius, zuständig für allgemeine Bildung, Anna Maria Strauß , Leiterin des Goethe-Instituts Vilnius, Edvinas Šimulynas , Präsident des Litauischen Deutschlehrerverbandes, sowie Vaiva Jucevičiūtė-Bartkevičienė , Vorsitzende der Jury und Gesangs- sowie Musikpädagogin an der Vytautas-Magnus-Universität. Im Anschluss bot die Bühne ein wahres Fest der deutschen Musikkultur. Schülerinnen und Schüler aus ganz Litauen präsentierten bekannte und neuere deutsche Lieder, darunter: „99 Luftballons“ von Nena, „Aber bitte mit Sahne“ von Udo Jürgens, „Warum hast du nicht nein gesagt“ von Roland Kaiser und Maite Kelly oder „Die immer lacht“ von Kerstin Ott. Mit ihren kreativen Interpretationen und leidenschaftlichen Darbietungen zeigten die jungen Talente, wie viel Freude die deutsche Sprache und Musik bereiten können. Die Jury, der auch der Leiter des litauischen DBJW-Landesbüros, Daumantas Katinas, angehörte, lobte besonders die Kreativität der Schülerinnen und Schüler bei der Gestaltung ihrer Videoclips sowie den Mut und die Bühnenpräsenz der Sängerinnen und Sänger. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro ist stolz darauf, Teil dieser wunderbaren Initiative gewesen zu sein, und freut sich auf weitere spannende Projekte mit Schulen in der Zukunft.