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Außenblick

Project picture of the study "Außenblick" © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut
How is Germany viewed by the world? The DAAD, GIZ and Goethe-Institut have addressed this question together in the study “Außenblick – International perspectives on Germany in times of the Covid-19 pandemic”. From the perspective of science, culture, economics and politics. A particular focus of the study is the corona pandemic, which affects all areas.
Video message of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the expert exchange on the results of the study "Außenblick" on July 8, 2021
Reasons we are respected © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut

Hard-working. Efficient. Reliable.
Reasons we are respected.

Germany’s political system is seen as a stable democracy that follows a constitutional rule of law. 

Reasons people shake their heads © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut

Inflexible. Critical. Hesitant.
Reasons people shake their heads.

Germans are often over-cautious and over-critical, or simply unyielding – with extremely high standards. 

What people are warning us about © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut

Reserved. Dominant. Smug.
What people are warning us about.

Populist and extremist tendencies are perceived as being on the rise in Germany – no other area of risk is under such diverse discussion abroad. 

What people believe we are capable of © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut

Solution-oriented. Trustworthy. Responsible.
What people believe we are capable of.

Being solution-oriented and competent are attributes used to describe Germany in a wide variety of social areas. 

What people hope © DAAD/GIZ/Goethe-Institut

Open. Cooperative. Future-oriented.
What people hope.

Migration is seen as a reality now and in the future. The desire for an open Germany that embraces this diversity, is both great and global. People hope for an open country and open hearts.  

Without German skills it’s difficult to gain access to Germany and the Germans: “The easiest way to make Germany your own is to speak their language.” At the same time, learning the German language is considered a great challenge.
The study is based on a dual level mixed format: a combination of a structured online questionnaire and semi-narrative in-depth interviews. We contacted experts from the partner networks of the three organisations who know Germany well and are able to formulate the expectations, desires and fears they have of Germany based on their observations. 622 people from 37 countries responded to the quantitative online questionnaire. 48 interviewees from 24 countries were questioned on their perspective of Germany during the in-depth interviews.
Management of the corona pandemic in spring 2020 was to a large extent viewed as efficient and exemplary. This opinion changed in the second wave. A gradual reduction in discipline was observed in the population, as well as problems with sourcing, logistics and organisation in the vaccination campaign. The interviewees felt that the lessons learned from the corona pandemic include the necessity for stronger international cooperation, as well as the importance of a functioning healthcare system and the requirement for an effective crisis management strategy. 
From an external perspective, German history is strongly linked with the history of National Socialism: “When Germany is thinking about its future, the neighbours are thinking about its past.” 

Further Information

Do you have further questions about the study "Außenblick - International perspectives on Germany in times of the Covid-19 pandemic"? Then please contact one of the following persons.

Contact

We are happy to send you a print copy of the study. Please contact Melanie Barón to request one.
 
Melanie Barón
Referentin Studie Außenblick
Goethe-Institut
+49 (0)89-15921 881
Melanie.baron@goethe.de 
Frederike Berje
Referentin für Studien
Goethe-Institut
+49 (0)89-15921 318
Frederike.berje@goethe.de 

Viola Noll
Stellvertretende Pressesprecherin
Goethe-Institut
+49 (0)160 96 99 09 95
noll@goethe.de 
www.goethe.de/hauptstadtbuero  
 
 

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