WE ARE CONNECTED. Education and Encounter After October 7
As part of the initiative “WE ARE CONNECTED: German-Israeli Youth Exchange in Support for Israel”, ConAct hosted about 50 exchange partnerships from Germany and Israel in Berlin. With more than 100 professionals in youth and educational work, the event took place from November 26 to 28, 2024.
German-Israeli exchange partnerships are currently facing significant challenges: since October 7, 2023, bilateral encounters have become almost impossible. Building on a network meeting held in April 2024, ConAct – Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange – and the Israel Youth Exchange Authority once again created a space for German-Israeli partnerships to be in touch just NOW.
The seminar provided participants with in-depth insights into current developments in youth and educational work as well as public discourses in both countries. Beyond the inputs and important impulses, the participants had time to spend some quality time with their exchange partners: they shared their thoughts and experiences since October 7, developed ideas for future projects and took a break from their challenging daily routines while they participated in creative workshops.
During a festive evening event, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus paid tribute to the steadfast work and dedication of the professionals who carried out exchange projects in Germany in 2024 despite all obstacles. In her address, she described youth exchange as an important gateway to the future, fostering mutual respect and tolerance – values and skills that are essential for a democratic society.
Five exchange partnerships presented their inspiring projects – all of them made possible through the WE ARE CONNECTED special funding program. The diverse initiatives included encounter projects that offered young people from Israel– who were directly impacted by the war – a safe space for dialogue and recovery. Moreover, the funding facilitated a theater project designed to help pupils in Germany understand the events of October 7.
All of these projects emphasize the deep connection between Germany and Israel, demonstrating that even in challenging times, German-Israeli youth exchange continues to build, strengthen, and reinforce the bonds between both countries.
