It was a great privilege for me to take part in the 18th Diplomatenkolleg just after starting my foreign posting to Berlin this year. It helped me understand how Germany is facing up to the new challenges at a time of ever more rapid political and economic transformation, war in Europe and increasing global economic competition.

During the entire programme, we had numerous opportunities to get to know our host country better through discussions with parliamentarians, government officials, journalists, representatives of the private sector and academia. Time and again, I was pleasantly surprised by the openness and honesty with which our interlocuters shared their views and by their patience in responding to our many (in part awkward) questions. The meetings provided an outstanding introduction to the different actors and levels involved in shaping politics in Germany, ranging from the Mayor in Cottbus to the Land governments in Potsdam, Mainz and Kiel, also covering the influencing factors and considerations feeding into German European policy in Brussels.

For me as a representative of one of Germany’s Nordic neighbours, the programme was a real eye opener, demonstrating just how much our nations have in common. It also showed me just how much our interests overlap, not just as open, export-oriented economic nations but – since Finland’s accession to NATO followed by Sweden on 7 March 2024 – also as partners in NATO in the Baltic region. I thus especially appreciated the discussion on how the German Government and wider society have reacted to the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, our visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels and our excursion to Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s True North.

Alongside visits taking us beyond Berlin, the programme included an optional selection of museum visits and a concert providing an insight into Germany’s cultural, social and geographical diversity. What is more, the Diplomatenkolleg enabled the participants not only to make professional contacts but also to forge valuable friendships.

On behalf of the group, I would like to thank the Federal Foreign Office and Germany very much for offering diplomats in Berlin this unique opportunity. Particular thanks go to Ambassador Hans-Jürgen Heimsoeth, Programme Coordinator Antonia Maria Linder and Programme Assistants Diana Leitz, Pia Kehder and Caroline Haritz for the enthusiasm, friendliness and dedication they displayed by organising such an extensive programme.

Mats Pontus Karlsson