The annual Afrikamera Festival returns to Berlin from 12 to 17 November 2024 with this year’s theme, BELIEVE, focusing on faith, spirituality and empowerment. Hosted across various venues – Kino Arsenal, fsk, Sinema Transtopia, Brotfabrik Kino and City Kino Wedding, the festival highlights diverse and thought-provoking perspectives from the African continent, exploring how belief systems shape personal and societal experiences. …

Bavaria has unveiled a new initiative aimed at simplifying the immigration process for skilled workers to address the state’s urgent labour shortages. As from next year’s summer the recognition of foreign professional qualifications will be expedited. According to Social Minister Ulrike Scharf, the ‘Fast Lane’ initiative is designed to streamline bureaucratic procedures, reducing waiting times for skilled immigrants. It will …

Many in Togo still romanticize the German colonial era. Could this be because it ended earlier than the British and French periods? A monument to German-Togolese friendship still exists and portraits of German colonial governors still adorn school buildings. And every year in November, on Remembrance Day, Germans who died in Togo are remembered and honoured. There are seven German …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a member of the Green Party and former MEP, examines the ongoing political crisis in Germany, shedding light on the key issues at stake and the position of her party. — In a speech delivered on the evening of 6 November 2024, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the dissolution of the “tricolour” coalition—formed by the Social Democrats (SPD), …

Germans are feeling more satisfied with life in 2024, according to the newly published Happiness Atlas 2024, a regular survey on the life satisfaction of inhabitants of the country. The study reveals that life satisfaction has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, marking a significant improvement compared to last year. This year’s average life satisfaction score is 7.06 out of 10 – …

GAIDI gUG, a Berlin-based nonprofit social organisation, has announced the launch of “We Can Do More”, a new initiative aimed at mobilising African associations, organisations and initiatives in Berlin to support the integration of newcomers from African countries. Supported by the Deutsche Stiftung für Ehrenamt und Engagement (German Foundation for Volunteer Work and Civic Engagement), the project seeks to empower …

In June 2024, Germany introduced the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), a new visa category aimed at attracting skilled workers from non-EU countries. Since its launch, approximately 2,500 Opportunity Cards have been issued, with Indian nationals receiving the most, 780, followed by applicants from China, Turkey and Pakistan, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. To qualify for an Opportunity Card, …

The Landesnetzwerk Afrikanischer Vereine (State Network of African Associations or LAV) convened its annual conference on 26 October 2024 in Berlin, where it addressed the topic “The Partnership Between Europe and Africa Amidst Epochal Change.” Held in the Erika-Hess Hall of the SPD Kurt-Schumacher-Haus, the event drew attendance from representatives of the African diaspora and German citizens interested in Africa. …

This November brings various new regulations impacting many aspects of life in Germany. These include updated laws on gender and name changes, the option to receive identification documents by post, reduction of bureaucracy and the introduction of the Economic Identification Number for self-employed individuals and businesses. Additionally, knives will be banned in public places and a group of asylum-seekers will …

In the first month since Germany began enforcing border checks across its land borders, about 1,000 people were denied entry. From 16 September to 20 October, the Federal Police recorded approximately 1,700 unauthorized entry attempts and apprehended around 30 suspected human smugglers, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. While open borders are standard within the Schengen zone, Germany …