One year after the Skilled Immigration Act came into effect, the German government is reporting notable progress in addressing labour shortages. According to provisional figures, around 200,000 visas have been issued for employment purposes since November 2023, the Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Foreign Office and the Ministry of Labour announced on Sunday. The legislation aims to attract skilled …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) has elected a new executive committee to steer its activities for the next two years. The election took place during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held from 7-10 November in Athens, Greece. The newly elected leadership for the 2024-2026 term succeeds the team led by Dr Bashir Obasekola, who served two consecutive …

At their recent party congress in Wiesbaden, Germany’s Green Party adopted a landmark resolution advocating for the complete abolition of work bans on foreigners without regular residency status. The Greens emphasized that those unwilling to utilize such opportunities should consider voluntary return, with the party advocating robust counselling to support reintegration in their home countries. The decision, made with overwhelming …

The 2024 edition of Bazaar Berlin drew an impressive 35,000 visitors to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 6 to 10 November, offering a vibrant marketplace of unique goods from across the globe. With over 500 exhibitors representing 58 countries, the fair showcased a stunning array of handmade products, ranging from fashion and jewelry to home décor and artisanal foods. This …

The annual Afrikamera Festival returns to Berlin from 12 to 17 November 2024 with this year’s theme, BELIEVE, focusing on faith, spirituality and empowerment. Hosted across various venues – Kino Arsenal, fsk, Sinema Transtopia, Brotfabrik Kino and City Kino Wedding, the festival highlights diverse and thought-provoking perspectives from the African continent, exploring how belief systems shape personal and societal experiences. …

Bavaria has unveiled a new initiative aimed at simplifying the immigration process for skilled workers to address the state’s urgent labour shortages. As from next year’s summer the recognition of foreign professional qualifications will be expedited. According to Social Minister Ulrike Scharf, the ‘Fast Lane’ initiative is designed to streamline bureaucratic procedures, reducing waiting times for skilled immigrants. It will …

Many in Togo still romanticize the German colonial era. Could this be because it ended earlier than the British and French periods? A monument to German-Togolese friendship still exists and portraits of German colonial governors still adorn school buildings. And every year in November, on Remembrance Day, Germans who died in Togo are remembered and honoured. There are seven German …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a member of the Green Party and former MEP, examines the ongoing political crisis in Germany, shedding light on the key issues at stake and the position of her party. — In a speech delivered on the evening of 6 November 2024, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the dissolution of the “tricolour” coalition—formed by the Social Democrats (SPD), …

Germans are feeling more satisfied with life in 2024, according to the newly published Happiness Atlas 2024, a regular survey on the life satisfaction of inhabitants of the country. The study reveals that life satisfaction has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, marking a significant improvement compared to last year. This year’s average life satisfaction score is 7.06 out of 10 – …

Under the auspices of the “We Can Do More” project, aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by African refugees in Berlin, a gathering of African associations, projects and initiatives took place on Sunday, 3 November 2024. The event, implemented by German-African Initiative for Development and Integration (GAIDI) gUG, a non-profit social organization, and supported by the German Foundation …