Country Profiles: Germany - Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

7.2: Weltküche
Agent of Cultural Diplomacy: Weltküche and Graefewirtschaft e.V.
Agenda: Cooking meals from diverse origins with people with a history of migration
Vehicle of Cultural Diplomacy: Produce, service and location
Target Audience: Local/international consumers, potential employees
Berlin – Kreuzberg, one of the most multicultural districts of Berlin and the perfect place for
the Weltküche, a self-styled multicultural cafe. Supported by Graefewirtschaft e.V. it is a place
with a wide offer of specialties from countries all over the world. The meals represent the
workers of the cafe: from Arabic to Indian to South American. The café was founded by
migrants from nine different countries and Germans. The aim is to offer jobs for immigrants in
independently established companies. Usually, the Weltküche enjoys good attendance by
people with diverse background and various ages. Students, seniors, and businessmen are all
common patrons. The prices are low and the meals are healthy and well prepared. Annette
Jankowski is the head of the project. With degrees in business studies, communication and
psychology she had a great career in the Deutsche Bahn AG. However, she increasingly felt
that her work at the Deutsche Bahn was meaningless. Eventually, she drew the conclusion to
resign. Since then, she has engaged with the Weltküche, including investing her own savings
in the project. Besides the cafe, Graefewirtschaft established a sewing company and a
catering agency. 102
The kitchen is a professional kitchen with just one significant difference: given the need for
the Weltküche to keep expenditures low, in order to maintain affordable prices, the project
always requires donations, not just money, but also flatware, plates or whatever else needed
in a kitchen. 103
Thanks to this great idea and concept, Graefewirtschaft already received awards for
Weltküche. The prestigious ‘Selected Places’ ( Ausgewählte Orte) award of the initiative
Germany – Country of Ideas’ (Deutschland - Land der Ideen) is just one of many amongst
others. 104 Soon Weltküche will be 100% self-financed and independent of financial support
from Graefewirtschaft e.V. The project is well prepared for it and able to stand on its own feet.
7.3: Protestant Intercultural Day Care Centre: Astrid Lindgren
Agent of Cultural Diplomacy: The institution itself
Agenda: Offering children an intercultural arena where they can build and develop their
intercultural communication skills
Vehicle of Cultural Diplomacy: Service users, employees
Target Audience: Families with children in the local community
The Astrid Lindgren Day Care Centre in the suburb of Vorwerk-Falkenfeld, Lübeck, is part of
the Protestant-Lutheran day care division Lübeck gGmbH (Evangelisch-lutherisches
Kindertagesstättenwerk Lübeck GmbH). It was built in 2000 and offers places for children