The experts who participated in the study visit, organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

(from left) Christian Spahr, Head of the KAS Media Program South East Europe and the Deputy Government Spokesperson Georg Streiter

The guests from Albania, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Serbia met politicians, KAS representatives, journalists and NGO managers.

The study visit took place from 23 to 29 April in Berlin, organised by the KAS department for domestic programmes and the KAS Media Program South East Europe. The guests from Albania, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Serbia met politicians, KAS representatives, journalists and NGO managers.

Germany is perceived as a leading power in the EU. This is what the guests from South East Europe mentioned many times in the discussions. It is one of the reasons why they are interested in meeting decision makers from Berlin. Тhe future of the EU in the context of migration and Brexit as well as current challenges in the political landscape of South East Europe were key themes of the discussions. Fake News and the declining trust in media as well as the impact of activities of NGOs have equally been debated.

Dr. Lars Hansel, Head of the Team Europe and North America of KAS, and Christian Spahr, Head of the KAS Media Program, opened the event and spoke about the role of KAS, regional and international cooperation. Spahr emphasised the main goal of the study visit which is to strengthen Germany’s dialogue with the countries of South East Europe.

The participants met Deputy Government Spokesperson Georg Streiter and were acquainted with the work of the Federal Press Office. Streiter explained his view on professional communication and drew a clear line between working for the state and working for a party – two fields that get intertwined too often in South East Europe.

With the federal elections ahead the meeting with Anja Pfeffermann, CDU expert on online communication, attracted much interest. She shared innovative social media concepts with the participants and advised on how to handle trolls and hate speech, taking the online communication strategies of the CDU as an example.

The delegation also visited BILD’s editorial office and could discuss the concept of the German tabloid, which has 20 million readers per day, with chief reporter Hans-Jörg Vehlewald. The guests were invited to join a daily editorial video conference.

More in the event report.