Press Release, November 9th, 2009

The German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation attaches a special importance in its funding activities to strengthening civil society cooperation. At the third Board of Trustees meeting on November 8, 2009 in Jerusalem, three priority areas for the next funding period were decided upon. These three areas will enable the creation of networks of young people in both countries in the field of civil society engagement. According to former State Secretary Dr. Michael Jansen, Chairman of the Board, „the so-called third sector is being accorded an even greater importance in both countries. It offers various possibilities for civic engagement, political participation, and social integration. At the same time, the third sector represents new chances and challenges. It is here that we can actively implement new priorities in the collaborative work between young Germans and Israelis.“

(left) „A Future in Friendship“ Film project of the German-Israeli Future Forum, (right) ILanD 2009 in Tel Aviv: „Young People create the Future”

Under the first priority area, „Commitment and Responsibility“, the Foundation funds a program for young Israelis, the first of its kind in this particular form. For quite some time young Germans are doing a voluntary service in Israel. Now there is a program sponsored by the Foundation that offers a similar program for young Israelis in Germany. This program will be implemented by ten different youth associations and organizations from both countries. The following locations will made available as work sites: youth centers, cultural, ecological, and educational projects, social care establishments, and memorial site education.

Aware of the importance for the future outlook of German-Israeli relations, with its second priority area „The Past in the Future,“ the German-Israeli Future Forum will address the challenges that face our ever-changing society in the area of “dealing with the past.” The Foundation promotes projects that put to test the different ways in which the past is discussed and in doing so will respond especially to migratory movements, demographic developments and contemporary discourses. Ideas for bilateral projects can now be submitted. The project ideas will be discussed together with experts and selected projects will be funded.

The Foundation is convinced that language facility is an important building block of the German-Israeli relationship. Therefore, together with the Goethe Institute in Tel Aviv, the Foundation advocates an additional emphasis on language acquisition. Participants of projects funded by the Future Forum, as well as participants of other German-Israeli projects, are eligible to receive grants for language courses.