German Ambassador Deike Potzel has called on Sligo’s youth to learn languages and use their vote to secure the future of EU’s open society. Speaking at the launch of IT Sligo’s German Language Network, Ambassador Potzel spoke of her own experience growing up behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany and expressed the importance of everyone to use their right to vote.
Speaking about the Launch of the Language Network, the Ambassador revealed the German government is looking to create stronger relations with Ireland after Brexit and told students to learn German and other languages to secure careers:
“I visited a large multi-national tech company in Dublin and spoke with the management there. When I asked why there were so many Germans here, they said they couldn’t find enough fluent speakers in Ireland and it was easier to train people in technology than it is to teach them a language.”
The ambassador also described how learning a language can also improve your experiences of other cultures when travelling.
Welcoming the Ambassador, President of IT Sligo, Dr. Brendan McCormack said:
“IT Sligo launched the German Language Network to establish a community of German speakers, students of German, those with an interest in Germany – in its people, its culture, its language, its economy. Our students have been very actively involved in founding this Network and it is an honour to have Ambassador Potzel to officially launch the initiative.”
The launch was also attended by Cathaoirleach of Sligo Co. Council, Martin Baker, colleagues, students and members of the German community in the Northwest region.