DW-WORLD.DE: Paths to mutual understanding on the Web

DW-WORLD.DE is one of the most modern multilingual and multimedia websites there is, providing services in 30 languages, ranging from Amharic and Kiswahili to Urdu. German and English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic and Brazilian are the main languages, with their own online editorial offices. In 2007, Farsi (Persian) has been added. Each language has its own Internet market. "For instance, when the Chinese online editors report on current events from a German or European perspective, they always keep their eyes open for bilateral, German-Chinese stories. All the editors at DW-WORLD.DE work on the same principle," says Editor-in-Chief Uta Thofern.

DW-WORLD.DE has become established as Deutsche Welle’s third media "pillar". As an interactive medium, the Internet plays a pivotal role in the dialogue between cultures. Communication on the Internet goes two ways. The users’ opinions are desired and their feedback – whether via email or in discussion forums – is expressly requested. DW-WORLD.DE launches surveys every day. A wide range of daily, weekly and monthly newsletters also creates close bonds with users.

Pioneer in audio and video content

The range of audio and video content available at DW-WORLD.DE puts DW at the cutting edge on the Internet. Users can access programmes from DW-TV as well as radio broadcasts in German and English. All DW-RADIO programmes are stored in an online archive after being broadcast. In 2004, DW was the first radio station to introduce podcasting (download subscription). In 2005 it launched video podcasting in Germany. Now, more than 50 programmes in numerous languages are available as podcasts.

DW-WORLD.DE offers a large part of its content in a form that is optimised for mobile end devices. Users can access the online content in all 30 languages on their mobile devices, so they can stay informed anywhere and anytime. The service also includes information for listeners and viewers of DW programmes, as well as entries from kalenderblatt.de, the history website on DW-WORLD.DE.

At present, DW-WORLD.DE offers two different modes of mobile access. Users can simply type http://mobile.dw-world.de/ into the browser of their mobiles for direct online access to news, background reports and services. Alternatively, they can synchronize their PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or Pocket PC using the service of DW’s partner AvantGo.

Since 1 January 2006, the Distribution department at Deutsche Welle has included a New Media division. Its primary task is to set up and develop Web-based distribution channels for DW-WORLD.DE, DW-TV and DW-RADIO. Step by step, new functions and services are being introduced and existing ones expanded: for example, the newsletter services, streaming in various formats, mobile services, audio and video downloads, and podcasting/videocasting.

study-in-germany.de

DW’s presence on the Web goes far beyond the main multilingual service provided at DW-WORLD.DE. Among the many other special offers is the service-oriented research and university portal "study-in-germany.de." Here you can find answers to your questions about studying and research in Germany – in eight languages: Arabic, English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. The website presents three hundred and fifty institutes of higher education and research institutes, along with descriptions of life in the cities where they are situated.

Anyone who wants to brush up on language skills before a stay in Germany can do this online as well. DW-WORLD.DE offers not only textbooks for downloading, but also a modern, interactive language course and audio files for online learning.

thebobs.com – the best international weblogs

The international Web community has "grown legs": under the slogan "Web 2.0", user-generated content has experienced a worldwide triumph. The users produce their own content - texts, photos, videos or audio files - that take an individual, often radically subjective look at their world. Particularly in countries where there is limited media freedom such as Iran and China, weblogs are often the only way for people to express themselves. As early as 2004, Deutsche Welle launched "The Best of the Blogs" (thebobs.com), a competition giving a unique overview of the international weblog scene in ten languages: German, English, Arabic, Persian, French, Spanish, Brazilian, Russian, Chinese and Dutch. Once a year, an international jury, together with the partner Reporters without Borders, chooses the best blogs in various categories, including the best blog against censorship on the Internet. With its "Blogopedia," the website "thebobs.com" provides a constantly growing encyclopaedia of the weblog with a multilingual search function, so that users can, for example, look for English-language blogs on the Middle East conflict as well as media blogs in different languages – the possibilities are virtually endless.

Dialogue with Islam has a name: Qantara.de

Intercultural exchange is also the aim of another portal in which DW is a chief participant, along with the Goethe-Institute, the Institute for Foreign Relations and the Federal Office for Political Education. Qantara.de – at the request of the German Foreign Office – promotes dialogue between Germany and the Islamic world. The journalistic contributions and various services – in Arabic, Turkish, English and German – reflect both similarities and differences between the cultures. Interactive functions invite discussion, without barring contentious issues.

A tongue-in-cheek look at the "typically German"

For all young people and the young at heart who have always wanted to be "typically German," DW offers www.germanizer.com, a humorous, entertaining multimedia website in English that takes a light-hearted look at German stereotypes. It’s a place where users can meet, share information about Germany and have fun together.

Deutsche Welle offers many paths toward mutual understanding on the Web – as well as virtual access to Germany and Europe.

May 2007