Investments pay off particularly when we benefit from them in the long term. Our foreign school system is such a project, allowing us to sustainably invest in the freedom, security, and prosperity of our country. I am pleased that the German economy highly appreciates this investment. The longstanding support for the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) competition is the best proof of this!

During my foreign travels, I could personally witness the valuable work done by our 135 German schools abroad – most recently in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. These schools are meeting places between Germany and the host country. They foster mutual understanding across borders and educate the talents of the future. For the German economy, this presents considerable potential: With their language skills and intercultural competencies, our graduates are ideally prepared to connect people, companies, and initiatives – whether as employees in companies or as contacts in the host country.

Therefore, it is worth jointly promoting training and study offers with a reference to Germany even more intensively. Moreover, our schools abroad also enable worldwide cooperation with professionals and executives connected to Germany.

In 2026/27, we will celebrate the 10th edition of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) competition abroad – marking its first "round" anniversary! I wish to extend my warm congratulations and am delighted to assume patronage of this jubilee edition as Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs. My explicit thanks go to the IHK for this generous initiative. I am curious to see what innovative solutions the students of our foreign schools will develop this time to tackle the multifaceted challenges of our time.

I wish you, dear students, much success and creative ideas!

Dr. Johann Wadephul

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs