German-Israeli Networking Conference in Berlin
What helped us stay connected was consistent and open communication between the teams and our understanding that partnerships are most important in moments like these.
With these words, representatives of the youth exchange between the German Alpine Club and the Regional Council Upper Galilee in Israel described their solidarity over the past two years at the opening of the German-Israeli Network Conference.
From November 23 to 27, 2025, ConAct – Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange and the Israel Youth Exchange Authority held a German-Israeli Network Conference in Berlin to resume concrete planning for youth exchange projects in 2026 after the difficult period of war. Up to 300 representatives and educators from various exchange formats were involved: extracurricular youth exchange, school partnerships, vocational training, and volunteer services. Cooperation partners included the Pedagogical Exchange Service of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, and the Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany.
The 2025 Networking Conference is a further step toward strengthening the network of German-Israeli youth contacts on the way to establishing a German-Israeli Youth Office. The network conference provided a forum for discussing current developments in education and society in Israel and Germany. Representatives of the exchange partnerships offered many of the workshops and presentations themselves – on topics ranging from education and democracy building to volunteer work, the resilience of young people in times of crisis, and dealing with antisemitism. The aim was to deepen cooperation, establish new contacts, discuss pressing issues, and plan future encounters together.
The German-Israeli Network Conference was opened by State Secretary Dr. Petra Bahr from the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, and the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ron Prosor.
