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The Work of the Japanese-German Center Berlin |
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A lively exchange between experts takes place in specialists’ symposia on the bilateral as well as international level. Each year the Japanese-German Center Berlin (Japanisch-Deutsches Zentrum Berlin JDZB) carries out 20 to 30 independent and cooperative projects, some of which take place in Japan. Topics covered include long-term political, economic and social developments, but also issues of current interest in both countries. The events are generally open to the public and those interested can participate in conferences and workshops, or attend lectures and discussions held by the Foundation in Berlin or Japan.
There are six areas of topical focus for events in 2012:
- Global Responsibility of Germany and Japan
- Raw Materials, Energy, Climate, Environment
- Demography
- Progress through Knowledge
- State, Enterprise, Civil Society
- Dialog of Cultures
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The JDZB offers a cultural program that includes concerts, exhibitions, readings, dance performances and musical soirees, film and theater events, and other German-Japanese events.
The exchange programs of the Japanese-German Center Berlin focus on young potential leaders for German-Japanese relations. Because general high school and university exchange programs are already organized by other institutions, the JDZB’s programs target groups that include young employees, future senior managers or young academics. The JDZB not only seeks to foster the development of young people but to promote discussions between representatives of Japanese and German youth work during visits to the other country.
The JDZB’s library is open to all those seeking information about current affairs or problems related to Japan or German-Japanese relations, or to those requiring Japanese language reference books or material for an academic project. Our modern library houses more than 10,000 volumes on Japan, German-Japanese relations and Japan-related research published in the languages German, English and Japanese; journals and daily newspapers complement the library’s selection. |
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The students that attend the JDZB’s Japanese courses are living proof that you can learn the Japanese language. A learning method was developed with JaFix (Japanese as a foreign language with integrative-communicative steps) that promises success as well as fun while you’re learning Japanese.
The newsletter “jdzb echo” is published quarterly by the Japanese-German Center Berlin. In addition, the JDZB documents its events in various publications. Most of the publications can be obtained via our internet website. Our press and public relations department is responsible for any inquiries from journalists as well as for the “jdzb echo.”
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The Building
Since the spring of 1998 the Foundation’s facilities are located in the former officers’ club of the American Armed Forces in Berlin-Dahlem. The property located directly near the underground station Oskar-Helene-Heim is approximately 6,200 m². The former club building, covering approximately 1,500 m², was completely redesigned in order to accommodate events, conference and exhibition facilities. A conference hall that easily sits 200 people (it can also be divided into two rooms) and two seminar halls were built to hold events. In order to ensure that there was still room for musical performances, the hall was equipped with a 'room in room' technology that shuts out any traffic noises (subway trains and cars). The dividing wall in the hall is noise-proof so that both rooms can be used independently. Thanks to the latest audio and video conference technology, events can be simultaneously translated into three languages and films can be shown.
For breaks in conferences and events, JDZB visitors are welcome to use our cafeteria and a lobby that opens into an atrium which is ideal for displaying exhibitions. In the main building there are additional rooms for language courses and for the JGCB library with its book collection of more than 10,000 titles.
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A new administrative wing, two storeys high with an underground cellar, was erected to accommodate the offices of the JDZB’s 24 staff members. The new wing is connected to the main building by a single storey foyer.
Funding
German and Japanese sides equally share operational costs. The JDZB relies on and welcomes funds provided by third parties or sponsors for the realization of its projects. The JDZB is not a subsidizing foundation and is unable to provide financial support for events held by third parties. |
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