News from Berlin
3,000 people commemorate the Nakba in Berlin
For the first time in years, the Berlin Nakba demonstration was allowed to proceed. After four and a half hours, this year’s Berlin demonstration commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Nakba on May 16 arrived at its destination, Südstern, at 6:30 p.m. in 2025, the assembly authorities prohibited a demonstration; only a stationary rally, also at Südstern, was permitted. This year, around 3,000 people participated in the demonstration. “We had the impression beforehand that the police genuinely wanted the demonstration to proceed peacefully,” Ali C., from the alliance that organized the demonstration, told “nd.” Except for one incident, this was the case. Source: nd-aktuell
140 Berlin primary schools in socially disadvantaged areas will have smaller classes
Teachers at Berlin schools are set to receive relief from their workloads in the future. This also applies to the educators employed at these institutions. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) and the Berlin branch of the Education and Science Union (GEW) signed an agreement regarding a corresponding package of measures, as announced on May 18. According to the agreement, classes at primary schools located in socially disadvantaged areas—among other institutions—are to be reduced in size from 24 to 20 children starting in August. This means that 140 of the capital’s 457 primary schools (a bit more than 30%) will feature smaller class sizes. Source: rbb
News from Germany
No time for evaluation
Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) is currently restructuring “Demokratie Leben”, a federal program for enhancing democracy. The Greens have criticised the changes. One point is about the timing since the evaluation of the current funding cycle (2025 to 2032) has not yet been completed. Around 140 organizations recently called upon Federal Family Minister Prien in an open letter not to act prematurely, by axing projects she dislikes. Prien justifies the restructuring by citing the allegedly lacking public acceptance of “Demokratie leben.” The 2020-2024 program cycle has received positive evaluations. Source: taz
Germany could miss climate targets, experts warn
The impact of the climate protection program presented by Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) is likely to be significantly smaller than the government planned, affirms the German independent Council of Experts on Climate Issues (“Expertenrat Klimafragen“). Even if the program were fully implemented, none of the targets set for the year 2040 would be achieved, the independent agency has said. Although the Council of Experts confirms the calculations made by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) for 2025, indicating that greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.1% compared to 2024, it believes UBA’s projections for greenhouse gas emissions up to 2030 to be overly optimistic. Source: spiegel
Greens alarmed by child poverty in Germany
According to an international comparative study on child well-being recently published by UNICEF, Germany ranks a mere 25th out of the 37 countries evaluated. UNICEF notes that Germany’s child poverty rate has stagnated for years at a high level of 15%. Considering such persistently high levels of child poverty in Germany, the Greens are criticizing the planned budget cuts to the education and social welfare sectors. This is “scandalous,” affirmed Misbah Khan, deputy parliamentary group leader for the Greens. She also pointed out that “The fact that the Federal Government is doing the exact opposite with its planned cuts amounts to an admission of failure regarding education and social policy in Germany.” Source: n-tv
Germany launches program for civil protection
The Federal Government aims to bolster civil defense and disaster relief capabilities through multi-billion-euro investments, a new command structure, and an improved warning system. According to government sources, the Federal Cabinet is expected to soon approve a corresponding package of measures. Particularly considering the Russian threat, this initiative is intended to fortify Germany’s resilience—running parallel to the expansion of the Bundeswehr. “We are integrating military and civil defense to ensure greater security and resilience,” as the German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) stated. The plan is quite comprehensive, with the goal of informing the public of all public shelters via “NINA”, a federal government’s digital warning system. Source: dw
“Atlas of Civil Society”: downgrade for Germany
The report “Atlas of Civil Society” is published annually by Brot für die Welt — an organization supported by Protestant churches in Germany. This year’s report focuses on disinformation as a global phenomenon. According to that “Atlas”, only 3.4% of the world’s population lives in truly open societies, and Germany is no longer considered a fully open society amid concerns over disinformation and police brutality. “This year, there has been a 7% increase on societies categorized as having ‘limited’ openness,” said Brot für die Welt human rights expert Silke Pfeiffer. She pointed out to increased police brutality and arrests at protests in Germany as a major factor to its placement in the rankings. Source: dw
