Initiative "Schools: Partners for the Future"

The initiative “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH) was launched in February 2008.

With a worldwide network of currently more than 1,400 partner schools, PASCH has three main objectives:

• Strengthen and expand the network of German schools abroad and schools that offer the German Language Diploma
• Foster cooperation between schools in order to consolidate German as a foreign language within national educational systems
• Increase the number of student and teacher exchanges and of school partnership programs

The Goethe-Institut supports the PASCH-schools in introducing or developing German as a foreign language subject. We provide teaching staff with advanced methodological and didactic training and language courses, and equip schools with modern teaching-, learning- and cultural studies material that is multimedia-compatible. Furthermore, the Goethe-Institut has sent teaching experts to partner schools throughout the world to provide support for the initiative. Finally, youth courses in Germany for students at the participating schools help improve language skills, strengthen intercultural competence and bring cultural studies to life.

The project is coordinated by the Federal Foreign Office and implemented jointly by the Central Office for Schools Abroad, the Goethe-Institut, the Pedagogical Exchange Service of the Conference of State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the German Academic Exchange Service.

The PASCH website provides in-depth information on:

• how the program works
• participating schools
• how to get involved