German-French friendship: workshops for students celebrated in Nancy!

German-French friendship: workshops for students celebrated in Nancy!

On July 1, 2025, a remarkable event took place in the garden of the Goethe Institute in Nancy: a ceremony was celebrated to mark the 70th anniversary of the twinning between Nancy and Karlsruhe. Part of this ceremony included workshops organized by students from the Karlsruhe University of Education. The events took place from June 10th to 14th and had the theme “Soil”. 65 students from grades 1 to 3 and 48 students from grade 7 took part.

The workshops were conducted in German in order to focus on learning this language, as all participating students learn German. The students Nicola Block, Jule Ramming and Emma Hoinkis, who are enrolled in the master's program "Biodiversity and Environmental Education", offered a diverse program that included profiles of animals living on the ground, a soil quiz, station work and sludge samples. The teachers and staff of the Goethe-Institut supported the workshops with translation services.

Learn with all your senses

The aim of the workshops was to enable participants to learn holistically. The students can look back on a positive outcome, as they not only imparted knowledge, but also enabled experiences in nature and gained practical experience in the field of environmental education. Contact with the Goethe-Institut was made through Dorothee Benkowitz and her project “School Garden goes Europe”.

The philosophy of the master's degree program will be continued in the coming winter semester 2025/26 in “Biodiversity and Ecological Education”. The focus here is on areas such as ecology, organismic biology and nature and species protection. Graduates of the program find a wide range of employment opportunities in the areas of nature conservation, ecology, education, consulting, planning, science and administration.

Importance of town twinning

The town twinning between Germany and France is of great importance. According to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, around three quarters of those surveyed see partnerships as an essential part of their administration. The relationships are rated as very positive. Particularly common forms of exchange are regular trips for festivals and events (77%), student exchanges (62%), music events (41%) and sporting events (44%).

The lively town partnerships are characterized by a wide variety of common topics and activities. What is surprising is that access to these partnerships often comes from hobbies or personal curiosity, not primarily from an interest in Europe. Over 70% of respondents say the partnerships appeal to broad demographics. While only 10% report that it is primarily people with higher education who take part in these programs, personal encounters are the decisive motivating factor for many participants.

The reconciliation between France and Germany, which was of great relevance until 1975, has given way to a broadening of motivations in recent decades. Since 1990, horizontal expansion and new opportunities for younger generations have come to the fore. The desire to think outside the box plays a central role, especially among younger participants.

Considering the positive development of town twinning and educational projects, it shows how education connects people across national borders and contributes to understanding between cultures. These initiatives not only shape the individual, but also strengthen the community and the European idea.

PHKA students led workshops for French students | Further information about town twinning | Relevance of town twinning today