This is our last day of meetings after a long two weeks of many great talks and wonderful learning experiences. As the day wraps up, I cannot avoid feeling reflective and thinking back on all that we have done and seen. Also, it dawned on me that I wrapped up this journey relieved that my prior expectations were not met. Meaning, despite it indeed being a tiresome and busy two weeks, it was also an incredibly enjoyable one. Not that I did not expect to not enjoy it, but I did expect it to be incredibly hard along with being received by stern and intimidating German officials, politicians and scholars. I could not have been furthest from the truth in my pre-established judgement. The German people, yes politicians included, are very welcoming, gracious and quite generous. I was especially inspired by Michael Brinkmeier, a former member of the Landtag, who got involved in politics through the motivation to make a difference and in the belief that we cannot just take a complacent stance, we have to get involved so to see progress, freedom and most importantly democracy in the world.
Speaking of democracy, I had not realized how very driven the German State is towards spreading democracy throughout the world. However, their agenda is promoted in a “soft” way, if you will. The state is not aggressive about pushing their beliefs upon other nations, but instead do so through very thoughtful diplomatic approaches. The main area they seem to try to reach the people is through education. Not only informing themselves of the culture, system and need of the targeted country, but also providing the necessary steps needed for democracy to become accepted. They are like an ever patient mother who knows that someday her child will learn right from wrong and if she forces her wishes upon that child rebellion is almost certain. That brings me to another topic I have observed, which is Germany’s tiptoeing around the subject of national pride and “hard” power. Due to their given history, Germans feel as though the minute they express nationalism or state pride that it will be taken the wrong way. Thus, they simply avoid it, which is quite unfair to them in my view. Germany is an awe-inspiring country with quite an impressive political and financial system and nothing short of national pride should be expected from them. Nonetheless, as Thomas Habicht, a successful journalist said, when my colleague Thibaut Hugueny expressed his personal admiration for Germany, it is important to stay grounded and realistic. That is, first live in Germany for a time to then make an assessment. That was quite a refreshing response on his part due to his honesty and transparency - which only added to our admiration.
As I conclude this journey, I am happy to emerge more informed, more enlightened and quite proud to say I have had this experience. Most of all, I am delighted to have been proven wrong about this great nation’s people, and deeply admire their push towards a democratic world.
Additionally, I must express my great gratitude to the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a foundation that has spread the democratic word since 1964 in over 100 countries, who not only graciously but quite generously sponsored our group of students and made this amazing opportunity possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment