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Nov 9, 2012
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The Week in Germany
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Dear TWIG Readers,
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A reason to smile
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(©picture-alliance/dpa)
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Germany has consistently scored highly for several years on major international opinion polls comparing countries on a wide range of criteria. Most recently, Germany came in second for the third consecutive year in the Nation Brands Index (NBI), a global annual survey ranking 50 countries in terms of their attractiveness. The United States came out on top and Britain took third place in the same survey. Germany garnered particularly high marks on its economic output, and as a center of science and technology. This only serves to underscore that the words "Made in Germany" bring to mind high standards of quality and innovation to people all over the world. Overall, Germany was also perceived as a reliable and modern country.
Germany also scored top marks in the recently released 8th annual Country Brand Index (CBI) report. That survey gave Switzerland the coveted top spot, while Germany came in 7th overall in a list of the "2012-2013 Top 25 Country Brands," with the United States in 8th place. In the CBI survey, Germany ranked 2nd overall in business, as well as 5th in quality of life, 7th in tourism, 7th in heritage and culture, and 9th in value system. At the same time, Germany has repeatedly come out on top in an annual BBC World Service Country Rating Poll, in which it received first place in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2012, Japan - with positive ratings of 58 percent - moved into pole position on this particular poll. But Germany - with positive ratings of 56 percent - still came in second. In sum, Germany is one of the most popular places on the planet for all the right reasons. Karen Carstens
Editor, The Week in Germany
Webteam Germany.info
The Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index
Country Brand Index (CBI)
BBC 2012 Country Ratings
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In this issue
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German Leaders Congratulate President Obama on Election Victory
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Chancellor Merkel and Federal President Gauck both sent messages of congratulations to President Barack Obama on his re-election victory. Foreign Minister Westerwelle said he looked forward to continuing the close coordination with the Obama administration.
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Germany Retains Number Two Spot in Nations Branding Index
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In the Nation Brands Index, a global survey ranking 50 countries in terms of their attractiveness, Germany has once again taken second place. The United States came out top and Britain took third place.
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November 9 – Historic Day
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The date November 9 is often referred to as a fateful day in German history. It is the anniversary of numerous momentous events—representing both highpoints and lowpoints. Here, we look at the 1918 Proclamation of the Republic, the 1938 Reichkristallnacht and the 1989 Fall of the Wall.
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Cologne: From Roman Metropolis to Modern-Day Cultural Mecca
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The city of Cologne offers a variety of attractions for travelers who wish to explore its sights and sites. One of Germany's largest urban areas, there is something for everyone in this ancient Roman city on the Rhine turned modern-day cultural and artistic metropolis.
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Destination Germany: Unbridled Tourist Enthusiasm to Break Overnight Stay Record
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More travelers are choosing Germany as their destination, as recent numbers from the German Tourism Association attests. In 2012, Germany will reach 400 million overnight stays, a previously unrealized sum.
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German-Style Christmas Markets in the USA
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Ringing in the holiday season, cities across the United States are celebrating with their own reincarnations of the traditional German Christmas market, each with its own unique flair.
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Merkel in European Parliament: "Together We are Europe"
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In a keynote address to the Members of the European Parliament, Chancellor Merkel has called for the economic and currency union to be strengthened. She appealed to member states to surrender national powers to Brussels, and to consider amending the treaties.
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Red Cross Sends Humanitarian Assistance to Turkish-Syrian Border
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The German Red Cross (DRK) has sent its first truck laden with humanitarian cargo for Syrian refugees to Turkey.
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Business, Technology and the Environment
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Decline in Economic Growth has Bottomed Out Say Economic Experts
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The report by the German Council of Economic Experts predicts that economic performance will stagnate in the current fourth quarter and will start to grow again early next year
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Experts Predict Excess of Renewable Energy by 2045
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A large technical group, the VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, declared at a Stuttgart meeting recently that Europe may well have more renewable energy by 2045 than it currently could use.
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Looks Like a Giving Christmas Season
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Accounting firm Ernst & Young released a study recently on Germans' gift-giving budgets during the coming holiday season – and there will apparently be few Scrooges in Germany in 2012, the study found, registering an average increase in planned holiday spending.
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Desertec Conference to Present Desert Electricity Concept
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Experts are gathering in Berlin starting November 7 for the third Desertec conference, and this time the participants will focus their attention on how solar energy might be harvested for all of Europe.
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Christmas Tree Cultivators Launch “Fair Forest” Label
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Christmas tree growers in Sauerland have created the Fair Forest label, certifying that trees are grown in an ecologically sound manner, though conservationists argue that the standards are not stringent enough.
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25th AFI-EU-Showcase
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November 09 to November 20 - The AFI-EU Showcase features a first-class selection of films from EU member states. The German films to be screened are "Barbara", "The Silence", and "This Ain't California."
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German Films Win Prizes at Festival
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The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany is proud to announce that Germany took home 8 awards at the closing ceremony of this year's Chicago International Children's Film Festival.
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Celebrating St. Martin's Day on November 11
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Children with colorful, handmade lanterns promenade through the streets, cheerfully singing songs they learned by heart and hoping to catch a glimpse of the man in the medieval soldier’s uniform. Learn more about the celebration of St. Martin.
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Der Faust Prize an Honor that Highlights the German Stage
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“The German theater prize is like an Oscar – it is an honor just to be nominated,” said German Theater and Orchestra Association Director Rolf Bolwin. The prize, called Der Faust, will be awarded on November 10 in Erfurt.
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Word of the Week: Kleinod
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A "Kleinod" is a jewel, or something of value, but it can also be used in a figurative sense to describe almost anything vested with deep personal meaning to someone.
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Readings: Second Opinions Courtesy of Germany.info
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$1b settlement with Jewish Claims Conference. Also big: World's largest container ship christened in Hamburg. Karamba Diaby poised to become first black German MP, while the first census data after 25 years shows a decline in population. Minister sound the alarm on youth unemployment at a Paris conference, while ants ring a woman's doorbell in Germany. Caligari, not only a 1920s expressionist movie, but also a movie theater. Spring has a new meaning: the season of rain.
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About "The Week in Germany"
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A Publication of Germany.info and the German Information Center, USA
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The articles referred to in this newsletter may contain links to websites that are maintained by third parties. These links are for readers' reference only, and the German Information Center USA is not responsible, nor shall it be held liable for, the content, services or products provided on these websites. The opinions and material contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the German government. © Germany.info unless otherwise noted.
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