GermanAmericanWorldPage

German-American World Page

Modern Germany - Today

Today, countries like the Federal Republic of Germany are in
many ways facing the same questions and problems: our
societies are aging, too few children are being born. The
globalised world economy is putting great competitive pressure
on domestic industry. Here in Germany, jobs with secure
futures are being created mainly in innovative and knowledge-
based export sectors. Knowledge and education are becoming
a crucial resource in federal states (Länder) that lack raw
materials.

For this reason, politics in Germany is now posed with two
great challenges: internally, to maintain and secure social
peace in society for the long term and externally, to
contribute actively and responsibly to peace and security
between nations. This policy points the way to a good future:
security, justice and prosperity for people in this country, but
also solidarity with the weak and those in need worldwide.
The red-green Federal Government under former Chancellor
Gerhard Schröder and present Chancellor Angela Merkel
supports these objectives.

These problems push politicians towards a central question:
how can we boost the essential strength and competitive ability
of our national economy and nevertheless maintain and secure
the effectiveness and fairness of the welfare state for the
future? The Federal Government’s answer to this question is
Agenda 2010 – the comprehensive reform programme
presented by Chancellor Schröder in March 2003. Agenda 2010
has formed the basis of this Federal Government’s economic
and social policy for two years now.

Keeping the welfare state effective and fundable

How do we create a fair balance between different generations?
The social security Germany offers its citizens is better than
that of nearly all other countries. Benefit payments are higher
and differences in income are lower than in many comparable
countries. This achievement of the German welfare state must
be maintained in the future too.

In order to make
this possible, however,
not everything could
remain as it was. To
the right is the new
Stuttgart railroad
Station.

German citizens will
have to do without
some things in the future. The principle of individual
responsibility – that is also responsibility of the individual – had
to be reinforced in Agenda 2010 too. Pensions will not rise as
sharply as in the past. Patients themselves will now bear more
of the cost of health.

These measures were necessary and fair, because they reduce
labour costs. This creates new jobs and secures existing ones,
and as a result, the State’s revenue increases and it can use
these funds to help the very weak and those in need.

The newly rebuilt Frauenkirche in Dresden,
stands in all it's beauty from the ashes of
the destroyed city of Dresden, known
world-wide as the Florence on the Elbe.

More education and care for children and
young people

Do we offer our children the best
opportunities? The red-green Federal
Government supports men and women
who opt for family and children, as they
secure the future of our country. For this
reason, the Federal Government has
increased its benefit payments for families
by 50 per cent since 1998. No other federal
government has done as much as this for
the family. The tax reform has reduced, in
particular, the burden on families on small
incomes. Care for the youngest is being
improved. The structure of the labour world
is becoming more family-friendly. The
Federal Government is providing four
billion euros up to 2007 for more all-day
schools. The education pact agreed with
trade and industry is intended to provide all
young people with an apprenticeship.

Taking the lead with innovations:

To the left is the aerial view
of the Brandenburg Gate, and
the new United States
Embassy.

Like reform, innovation is one
of the key terms used in
political debate today. What
does innovation mean and
how can it be promoted? At
first, innovation means
nothing more than something
new. However, the Federal
Government’s idea of
innovation goes beyond this.
It believes innovation is
about a culture of being
willing to change, of courage
and readiness to take risks
that should encompass the whole country. Creativity, curiosity
and the will to perform should be the virtues of the future. The
will to take the lead should be everyone’s concern now.

Together with trade and industry, the Federal Government is
working towards this goal through the “Partners for Innovation”
initiative. The proportion of gross domestic product spent on
research and development is to be increased from its current
level of 2.6 to 3 per cent. The Federal Government’s High-Tech
Masterplan will provide small and medium-sized companies
with 500 million euros for innovations and future technologies.
The universities are to take part in a competition to promote
outstanding achievements in research. The red-green Federal
Government has massively extended the nation’s support
programmes for students. As a result, the number of people
taking up degree courses at German universities has increased
significantly.

German family (right) enjoying the
outdoors.

German Seaside Resorts. The Modern
Federal Republic of Germany is a nation
with strong democratic principles, an
ally of the United States of America, and
a nation dedicated to "Human Rights". The
nation is under the supervision of the
Basic Law, which permits all Germans to enjoy life in a
secure government, with welfare towards its citizens, an
excellent medical program, and an anti-discrimination advocacy.
It is one of the founders and promoters of a United Europe
where all people in the member nations can live and work
together as friends and neighbors. Germany does not permit
the foreclosure of private property.

Highlights of a Modern Germany

The new immigration law takes into account Germany’s
economic interests as well as its humanitarian obligations.
Immigration brings highly qualified staff into the country and by
doing so, it strengthens the German economy.

One main focal area for the promotion of innovation is eastern
Germany. A quarter of all the Federal Government’s funding for
research went to these regions in 2003. With the master plan
“Information Society Germany 2006”, use of the Internet in
Germany is to be further extended. The Federal Government
also states this claim in its eGovernment initiative “BundOnline
2005”, through which many public services are to be made
accessible via the Internet. This also forms part of the reduction
in unnecessary red tape and obstacles in administration
through which the Federal Government intends to reduce the
strain on German citizens and trade and industry.

Making Germany more attractive as a centre for business.

Germany is a world champion in exports: No other country
exported as many goods in 2003 as Germany – not even the
USA. This shows that German products and the jobs through
which they are produced are globally competitive, since
Germany has outstandingly well trained staff and a first-class
research environment. Social peace is also a factor whose
strengths need to be maintained and expanded.

To the left, maintaining
the bridge of friendship
between the Federal
Republic of Germany
and the United States
of America, is the
German-American
National Congress
(D.A.N.K.) marching in
the Chicago Steuben
Parade.

Modern Germany (right) showing
the skyline of Highrise buildings in
a large Metropolis.

Agenda 2010 reduces incidental
wage costs, improves the climate
for innovations and secures the
long-term dependability of the
welfare state. This can only be
achieved if there is more growth
and employment in Germany. This
is why the Federal Government has reduced taxes and passed
laws to modernise the labour market. At the heart of the so-
called Hartz reforms is the reform of the Federal Employment
Services into a modern services company, the promotion of
self-employment, the improvement of young people’s
opportunities in the labour market and the merger of
unemployment benefit and social welfare to form the new
unemployment benefit II (Hartz IV).

The Little
Miss
Schuetzen
Park float
in the
annual
Steuben
Parade on
New York's
Fifth
Avenue. The
float is
sponsored
by
Thumann's Provisions of Carlstadt, New Jersey. The Little Miss
Schuetzen Park Beauty Pageant is jointly sponsored by
Thumann's and the Plattduetsche Volksfest-Vereen of New York
and New Jersey.

The weak and those in need will not be left to stand alone in the
future either. This is not only an
obligation for everyone able to help, but
also the right of those who need help.
Likewise, those willing to perform will
gain the best opportunities to employ
their strengths for the benefit of
everyone in our society. Greater
individual responsibility among people to
create more employment – this is the basic
thought behind the reforms of Agenda 2010.

Securing quality of life and health for the long term

Politics must look beyond the immediate needs of the day.
Securing quality of life and prosperity for the long term – this
basic idea of Federal Government policy is not only apparent in
labour market reforms. The Federal Government has also
initiated the turning point for sustainable development in
Germany’s energy provision, climate protection, transport and
consumer protection.

Germany is a global pioneer of ecological and future-oriented
energy policy. Electricity production using renewable energies
has nearly doubled since 1999. The withdrawal from nuclear
energy use is underway. As a result, Germany has already
nearly met the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.
Environmental pollution in Germany is on the decline. The
transport system is being expanded in an environmentally
friendly manner. With the introduction of the toll system from
2005, heavy goods traffic will in future bear a greater share of
the costs of motorway construction. This will contribute to
safeguarding essential mobility in Germany for the long term.

The rights of consumers have consistently been reinforced by
the Federal Government. Everyone should be able to make a
conscious choice about what is served at their table. Creating
awareness of healthy eating is a main focal area of consumer
protection policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural policy
is based on the compatibility of environmental protection,
animal welfare and consumer protection.

Expanding Europe as a region of peace and growth

German Brass Band
marching in a parade,
somewhere, in the
Federal Republic of
Germany. The Brass
Bands, the Music, the
Arts, the significant
beauty of the cities.
the mountains, the forests, the people, the friendliness, are
all evidence of a revitalized modern democratic Germany,
whose historic areas, excellent beaches and resorts, cry out to
the international community to enjoy the hospitality and
ambiance of a nation, that is modern, scientifically advanced,
globally concerned, and interesting in all aspects from the
Rhine to the Oder; from the Alps in Bavaria; the Black Forest
in Wuerttemberg; to the Rhineland; the Frisian Islands in the
North Sea; Schleswig-Holstein; to the Hanseatic Cities of
Bremen, Hamburg and Luebeck; and much, much, more.

2004 was an historic year for the European Union: After its
enlargement to the east, the EU now offers peace and freedom,
security and prosperity to 450 million people in 25 countries.
And in December 2004 the EU decided to start accession
negotiations with Turkey. The new constitution will strengthen
the EU’s ability to act for the long term.

EU enlargement will make Germany a wealthier country:
Germany already exports almost as much to the growth
markets of the new members as it does to the USA. Meanwhile,
however, the Federal Government supports a cautious
adjustment of the labour markets of old members to the new
situation. Free movement of workers from the new Eastern
European members has therefore been restricted until 2011.

Another excellent addition to
German-American friendship,
is the development of
Hockemeyer Hall, the first
National German-American
Cultural Center in Washington,
D. C., scheduled to open to
the General Public in late 2008
or early 2009. This remarkable
historical edifice will house
offices, an auditorium,
scientific exhibitions, the
Arts, the historic
accomplishments of Germany,
Austria, Switzerland, and Germanic organizations throughout
the United States of America; North, Central and South
America; Europe; Asia; Africa; and Australia. This worthwhile
project deserves the support of all people of Germanic
extraction, because from the exhibits and historic works, the
world will finally know the truth about Germany and their
people. Many Germans who have non-Germanized their
names, should re-establish themselves into the network of
Germania, and be proud of their Germanic heritage. This
wonderful accomplishment of the German-American Committee
of the U.S.A. and the German-American Foundation in founding
the German-American Cultural Center is a milestone in the 21st
century, and a worthwhile example of German ingenuity and
friendship, extending their outstretched hands to the brother-
hood of worldwide understanding and love towards all.

International efforts for security and stability

Together with its partners and allies, Germany is working at a
global level for peace, security and sustainable development.
Intensive efforts are still being made in the fight against
international terrorism. The reconstruction of Afghanistan has
made reasonable progress with German assistance.
International peace-keeping forces have contributed to
stabilisation in Southern Europe.

Germany is currently one of the biggest providers of troops for
international peace-keeping forces. With around 7,000 soldiers
from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) and 400 police
officers from national and regional police forces, our country is
involved in securing peace in many regions of the world. No
one has committed more staff for the reconstruction of
Afghanistan than Germany. Through various reconstruction
projects and the training of police officers, Germany is also
involved in normalising living conditions in Iraq. Germany is
also prepared to assume greater responsibility in a reformed
UNO.

Policy of peace is always policy of development too. With the
debt relief initiative of the G8 industrial nations, which it
proposed in 1999, the Federal Government has contributed
significantly to improving the development opportunities of 27
Third World countries.
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