Day 13: Federal Press Office and Farewell Dinner

Today started with a visit to the Bundesregierung.

Also known as the Federal Press and Information Office in English.

We learned about what this office is involved with, like media monitoring, content production, and the government spokesperson.

It was interesting to hear about how the office interacts with the government, parties, media and public.

For example, the German press corps forms a "bundespressekonferenz" organization, which invites the German press office and spokesperson to come share information with them.

A chairman who is part of the press is in charge of when the government spokesperson can choose to be done with a topic or not, so the government can't stonewall the press or decide when to stop sharing information.

We also learned a bit about how information is processed and important pieces are texted to the chancellor and other key people at all hours.

We had a two hour break before our next meeting, so two of us went to the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom).

The cathedral was impressive and large and very shiny. 

There were several small staircases to climb to get to the top of the dome, but the view was totally worth it.

I got some cool pictures of Berlin and the statues on top of the Berliner Dom. 

We then met with a member of Germany's Renewable Energies Agency.

We talked about what this agency does, including the creation of infographics, pamphlets, tour books, etc. to help educate people about renewable energy and dispell myths that may surround that topic. 

The agency recently moved to its current building, where they can walk down a hall to talk to lobbyists and groups who they collaborate with on a fairly consistent basis in their work. 

Today was wrapped up with a fancy, farewell dinner that marked the end of our official, study abroad events. 

Excited to be able to sleep in tomorrow,

The Purple Writer