Minister of State Cornelia Pieper is hosting the Second International Education Day at Berlin’s Allianz Forum on Thursday (13 September). The motto of this year’s Education Day is Demographics and Meeting the Demand for Skilled Labour.

The looming shortage of skilled workers is one of the major challenges which our society will have to tackle in future. The Second International Education Day is intended to highlight the role which Germany’s promotion of education plays in mastering this challenge. The Federal Foreign Office’s partners are the 140 German schools abroad, the other schools which form part of the “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH) Initiative and are supported by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad and the Goethe-Institut, as well as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Educational Exchange Service.

In the 21st century, education is key to Germany’s development as an important centre of industry, research and higher education. The Education Day provides the Federal Foreign Office with an opportunity to celebrate the multifaceted potential of promoting education abroad. The goal is also to create closer links amongst industry, politics and future skilled workers from abroad.

The ceremony will be attended by former Federal Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher as guest of honour and former Minister Professor Marion Schick as keynote speaker.