Bonn is an international city and home to many globally active companies as well as the headquarters of the UN Climate Change Department. This international orientation is not only reflected in the population, but also determines a personnel policy in the city administration that is increasingly geared towards international cooperation. Based on a Council decision in 2014, an internationalisation strategy for personnel development and vocational training in the Federal City of Bonn was developed in 2018. The objective is to develop international competencies at all hierarchical levels and departments, combined with a stronger understanding of international cooperation among employees. An essential building block for achieving the goals are the European internships, which, in addition to imparting foreign language skills and intercultural competences, also serve to reduce obstacles to international cooperation. Participants who have already worked as European interns in European city administrations serve as multipliers and open up the opportunity for further and deeper international cooperation and make a significant contribution to the harmonisation of the European Education Area.
Since 2013, the Federal City of Bonn has placed apprentices and vocational training staff in internships in numerous project partner cities as part of the Erasmus+ programme. More than 490 employees of the city administration were given the opportunity to gain professional experience in other European countries. Due to its very international population, it is a special concern of the city of Bonn to promote the development and expansion of foreign language skills, in particular the strengthening of intercultural competences. In addition, European internships enable an exchange of experience on practical professional issues, which can then be incorporated into the working practice. On the receiving side, there is also an increase in knowledge, so that a win-win situation arises. It should not be overlooked that European values and regulations are increasingly shaping everyday life in local areas. Participants benefit on a personal level as their self-esteem and awareness are strengthened. As a result, this strengthens the motivation to work and helps a lot with the upcoming change processes in the administration. Experience of working methods already practiced abroad, e.g. in the digital sector, also reduces resistance.