The main partners are the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Studies Association in Ireland (GSAI), the Business German in Ireland Working Group (BuGI), the Association of German Teachers in Ireland (GDI) and a number of Irish institutions working in the field of secondary and third level education. Many Irish education and business institutions have expressed their support.

Target: students, parents, school, business people and policymakers

The campaign will engage with a broad spectrum of the Irish population – pupils, students, parents, school principals, business people and policymakers. The initiative wants to highlight that German is an important language worth learning.

Following a successful media campaign in February and March this year, negotiations are under way with Irish, German and multinational companies based in Ireland on an internship programme for German language learners on secondary and third level. The idea is to find companies that are willing to offer short term work placements for potential employees during the summer, autumn or spring break. From October 2013 a road show (“Deutschmobil”) will follow.