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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Post-WWII Germany's first Jewish cabinet member on past lessons, new risks
Berlin — When Karin Prien's mother brought her to Germany as a little girl in the late 1960s, she gave her one urgent warning: "Don't tell anyone you're Jewish." Nearly six decades later, Prien is now post World War II Germany's first Jewish federal cabinet member, having been selected as the Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Prien told CBS News she intends to use her platform to confront the rise of antisemitism in Germany and further afield, and the fragility of democracy in a country still reckoning with its past. "Well, in a way, I'm proud," the minister told CBS News in a candid interview. "Proud to be a minister in the federal government, but also that I'm recognized as Jewish and that German society is now so far [advanced] as to accept that Jewish people have a right to be a self-conscious part of this society." Prien's political career, and her personal story, represent an arc of conflict, tension and reconciliation that echoes that of post-Holocaust Germany itself. "A question of responsibility" Born in the Netherlands to Holocaust survivors, Prien moved to Germany at the age of 4. Even as a child, she was heavily aware of the silence surrounding her family's identity. Her mother's warning that it was still too dangerous to talk about being Jewish — more than two decades after the war ended — shaped her early years. "There was always fear. My mother was afraid that there were too many Nazis still around," Prien said. "It wasn't taken for granted that you could talk about being Jewish. It was something you kept inside the home." But that silence eventually became intolerable. As a young teen, she said she began to understand that the democratic values she cherished — freedom, human dignity, anti-discrimination—- required defending. "I decided, 'I have to do something about it. Democracy is not something you can take for granted,'" she said. But Prien still waited decades before publicly acknowledging her Jewish identity. The turning point came in the early 2010s, when she was already a member of state parliament in Hamburg. Prien began pushing for systematic documentation of antisemitic incidents in schools. When a journalist asked why the issue mattered so much to her, she paused and then told him: "Because I'm Jewish." "That was the moment I realized I had a political voice," she recalled. "I had some kind of influence. And for me, it was a question of responsibility." Lessons from the past for the threats of today That sense of responsibility weighs heavily on Prien in today's Germany, where she said antisemitism is no longer confined to the political fringes. "We see rising antisemitism all over the world," Prien said. "They dare to be openly antisemitic. I think it's now more than after the end of World War II. They dare to be openly antisemitic, and that's also in Germany getting stronger and stronger. That has changed. And so we have antisemitic tendencies on the margins, but we also have it in the middle of society." While Germany once appeared to be a model of historical reckoning, Prien said she fears complacency is setting in. After some "honest decades," during which Prien says Germans confronted themselves with the stark realities of their country's history, "now, people are dying. And now we have to find new ways to talk about that." Prien thinks that should include a shift in Holocaust education. She wants German schools to expand from their current focus on the atrocities of World War II to also teach the history of Israel, the cultural contributions of Jewish Germans, and the origins of antisemitism. "Jewish identity is part of German identity," she told CBS News. "Young people need to know that Jews are not only victims. Jewish people are diverse. They have a voice. They are part of this society." Prien said she draws inspiration from figures including Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor who famously coined the phrase: "Be Human." That, Prien said, should be the foundation of any education system in a democracy: teaching empathy and human dignity. But it's not only historical facts and universal dignity that need defending, she said, it's also Germany's democratic fabric. "We are an immigration society," Prien said. "But we're not very good at having fair and equal chances for children who start with more difficult conditions." She sees educational equity and national democratic resilience as intrinsically linked. Prien is now leading efforts to limit mobile phone use in German elementary schools, warning that parents and policymakers have been too naive about the risks of digital exposure for young people. "We are anxious about the real world. We drive our kids to school and into the classrooms but we are not anxious about the stuff online," she said. "That has to change." Asked what message she has for young Jews with political ambitions in Germany today, Prien didn't hesitate: "Stay. Don't pack your luggage. This is a different Germany. This is a country where you can live safely. And it's our job to make that promise true every day." SpaceX loses contact with its Starship, spins out of control Post-WWII Germany's first Jewish cabinet member on finding her "political voice," facing the past Elon Musk says he and Trump administration sometimes have "differences of opinion"
Arab Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
'Kuwait Disability Index 2025' to strengthen disability rights and services
KUWAIT CITY, May 26: The Minister of Social Affairs, Family Affairs, and Childhood, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, announced the official launch of the "Kuwait Disability Index 2025" on Monday, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to both national legislation and international agreements on disability rights. Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) about the initiative, Dr. Al-Huwailah emphasized that the launch aligns with Law No. 73/2020, particularly Article 48, Clause 17, which mandates the establishment of clear scientific standards for diagnosing disabilities. Additionally, the law requires that these standards be made publicly available through the Public Authority for Disability Affairs' (PADA) official website. The comprehensive reference guide, which has been under development for the past ten years, is the result of collaborative efforts involving experts from the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), the PADA's medical and technical committees, and specialists from the Ministry of Health (MoH). The aim is to provide precise and standardized criteria for diagnosing various types of disabilities, including mental, physical, psychological, mobility, visual, and hearing impairments. Dr. Al-Huwailah explained that the reference guide will not only assist specialists in making accurate decisions but will also promote fairness and consistency in the procedures followed across medical, educational, and employment sectors. The guide serves as a key tool for unifying the diagnostic process, ensuring that all individuals receive the appropriate support based on their unique needs. Highlighting the social importance of the initiative, Dr. Al-Huwailah stressed that protecting the rights of people with disabilities is a shared national responsibility. She reaffirmed the country's commitment to providing equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities, ensuring their active participation in community development. Dr. Al-Huwailah also expressed her gratitude to all those who contributed to the creation of the guide, emphasizing Kuwait's continued support for the disabled community and their full integration into society. In a related statement, Wafaa Al-Muhanna, the Acting Director General of PADA, described the guide as an essential tool in advancing transparency and promoting awareness of disability issues in society. Al-Muhanna pointed out that the guide will help government and medical agencies accurately assess and categorize disabilities, ensuring a consistent approach to diagnosis and care. Al-Muhanna noted that the guide would be uploaded on PADA's official website in compliance with Law No. 8/2010, and it is designed to serve both governmental agencies and medical professionals working with individuals with disabilities. The official launch of the "Kuwait Reference for Disability 2025" marks a milestone in the country's ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive society and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Local Germany
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
What parents in Germany need to know about the planned schools shake up
For years a lack of investment and ambition has hampered attempts to improve education in Germany. Enter Karin Prien (CDU), Germany's new and super-charged Minister of Education -- officially Minister of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Young People, or head of the BMBFSFJ -- with ambitious plans to reform schooling in Germany. Prien, who has years of experience in the field as a state education minister for Schlewig-Holstein, is determined to take advantage of the ministry's expanded remit to 'think about education holistically … and from the perspective of children and young people.' So what does this mean in practice? Here are the main planned changes that parents of school kids in Germany can expect. The expansion of all-day schooling With German schoolchildren falling behind their peers in other countries, according to PISA scores , and more and more families with both parents in full-time employment, the minister is determined to push ahead with plans to offer all-day schooling across the country. These plans were originally introduced by the previous traffic light government, and many schools have already started building out new canteens and other school buildings they need to offer all-day schooling. Unfortunately, as many of these projects have fallen behind schedule, the first bill Prien has brought before parliament (which was discussed on Thursday morning) will attempt to delay federal deadlines for all-day schooling by two years, to 2030. READ ALSO: How do pupils in Germany compare in international maths and science tests? More investment in early education, and mandatory testing In interviews, Prien has suggested that the number of children who start school with a poor command of German is responsible for the relative decline in educational achievement in Germany in recent years. With the goal of raising standards, and halving Germany's school dropout rate by 2035, Prien wants to introduce mandatory testing for children at the age of four. She has also talked about introducing mandatory support for children whom the tests identify as being behind in their development. During a recent speech, Prien stated that the federal government would 'invest billions in daycare centres and schools.' The minister has also announced her intention to relaunch the language daycares ( Sprach-kitas ), and extend the Starting Chance ( Startchancen ) programme in schools to Ki tas in socially deprived areas. Prien also wants to review nationwide quality standards for Kitas , with a view to placing more emphasis on education and less on childcare. Advertisement No more mobile phones in primary schools? Prien has taken issue with children spending too much time in front of screens. School children in Germany are among the world leaders in screentime, according to a recent OECD report which found that 15 year olds in Germany and Austria use electronic devices for an average of 30 hours per week. Prien has set her sights on minimising screentime from an earlier age. She has spoken out against the amount of time pre-schoolers spend in front of screens, and voiced favour for banning the use of mobile phones in primary schools altogether. State ministers of education are already looking at the issue. Prien intends to help them in their deliberations by providing better access to scientific studies, evidence, and analysis. READ ALSO: What are the rules in Germany on students having phones at school? Advertisement Integrating youth services and specialised teacher training However, halving the school dropout rate in the next ten years won't be possible simply through testing pre-schoolers, offering all-day schooling, and banning mobile phones. Prien also wants to invest in more support for children who arrive late in Germany's school system – and in additional training for teachers on how to cope with 'difficult and demanding groups of pupils.' She intends to take advantage of the expanded remit of her ministry to 'link youth welfare services more closely with schools,' in order to prevent pupils from falling through the cracks. READ ALSO: What having kids at a German kindergarten teaches you about the local culture
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Doctor Who fans will recognise guest star Ariyon Bakare from other major shows
Doctor Who is set to welcome a new guest star in the form of Ariyon Bakare, who has previously appeared in a number of popular shows. WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who. Doctor Who is in full swing, with actor Ariyon Bakare set to join the cast in episode five, The Story and the Engine. Doctor Who has been a cornerstone of BBC programming since its original launch in the 1960s, and its revival in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston at the helm. Fast forward two decades, and Ncuti Gatwa has taken up the mantle as the 15th Time Lord, ready to embark on his latest adventure this evening, Saturday, May 10. In this episode, the Doctor finds himself in Lagos, where he encounters a "mysterious figure called the Barber" who holds sway over the Nigerian city. The character of the Barber will be brought to life by actor Ariyon Bakare, a familiar face from several popular shows. Bakare, 53, is perhaps most recognised for his role as Dr Ben Kwarme in the BBC medical drama Doctors, a part he played for four years before leaving the show in 2005. Before his departure, his character Ben had assaulted a burglar, who subsequently pressed charges for grievous bodily harm. Ben was ultimately acquitted, prompting him to leave Letherbridge and embark on travels with his son Nathan. However, Doctors isn't the only series that Doctor Who fans might recognise Bakare from. Bakare has an impressive array of roles under his belt, including his turn as Adrian Scott in Family Affairs, taking the helm as Chief Superintendent Burridge in Thirteen, embodying Ligur alongside former Doctor Who lead David Tennant in Good Omens, and stepping into the fantastical world as Carlo Boreal in BBC's His Dark Materials. His diverse acting resume extends to Netflix's Too Close, alongside on-screen appearances in Crossfire, Karen Pirie, Carnival Row, Black Ops, and sharing the screen with Fear the Walking Dead star Lennie James in BBC's Mr Loverman. A peep at his IMDb profile reveals Bakare's next big project: the action-packed drama The Bleeding Ground. The tantalising preview states: "In the heart of the Niger Delta, a local man's quest for justice collides with the ambitions of an oil executive, igniting a battle that threatens to consume them both."
