Israel, 14.03.2010

Rede von Frau BM Dr. Claudia Schmied anlässlich des Empfanges beim Österreichischen Botschafter Michael Rendi in Israel

(es gilt das gesprochene Wort!)

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.

In December 2008 I had the opportunity to accompany our Federal President, Dr. Heinz Fischer, to Israel. It was my first stay here in Israel and I was so fascinated that I knew I would come again.

A little over a year later, I came back. I arrived yesterday on my official working visit in Erez Israel and after a trip to the Negev today it is my great pleasure to extend my warm welcome to you on the premises of the Austrian Ambassador in Herzelya.

I am pleased to see that the bilateral relations between Austria and Israel are determined by friendship and growing cooperation.

To further enhance these ties will be in the core of my meetings with Minister Limor Livnat and Minister Gideon Saar in the next two days.

The societies of our countries both are confronted with the phenomenon of migration and the resulting problems in the field of education.

One of the keys to cope with these challenges is to foster the dialogue between societies.

Face to face contacts are the best way to build mutual trust and understanding: they build the basis for successful cooperation projects in education and culture.

Let me just mention the exhibition “In between. Contemporary Austria”, I had the honour to inaugurate in the Genia Schreiber Gallery in Tel Aviv I 2008.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Austria has come a long way towards mainstreaming the readiness of the Austrian population to face the Holocaust as part of its historical identity.

As Minister of Education I see it as an important task to ensure an adequate education about National Socialism and the Holocaust in Austrian schools.

Since ten years my Ministry and its Holocaust Education-institution _erinnern.at_ holds annual seminars for Austrian teachers in the International School for Holocaust Studies in Yad Vashem.

400 Austrian teachers up to now have had the opportunity to attend such seminars and to meet with Israeli colleagues and survivors from Austria residing in Israel.

On Tuesday I will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Chairman Avner Shalev to mark this important cooperation.

I commend the Austrian Ambassador for the important work he and his team undertake to promote the mutual understanding of our people, especially in the field cultural cooperation.

Thank you, Ambassador Rendi, and thank you, Director Feigl for the extraordinary preparation of my visit here in Israel and the lovely reception.

I am looking very much forward to this evening and to the possibility for many interesting conversations.

Geändert am 19.03.2010