The future of German society – indeed, the future of Europe - will to a large part depend on how well its immigrants become integrated. This explains why the telc poster campaign has been receiving increasing attention. In adult education centres as well as other educational establishments, the campaign seeks to offer encouragement to language learners and improve integration.
The posters show portraits of unusually successful people. In addition to former German Parliamentary President, Prof. Rita Süssmuth, the European Commission’s working language genius, Ioannis Ikonomou (who speaks 32 foreign languages and understands many more) and Brazilian-born German national football player, Cacau, a fourth poster features Frankfurt Mayor Petra Roth, as “Ambassador for Integration.”
In it, the thrice-elected executive of Frankfurt’s city hall, who has her roots in Bremen, is popular across party lines, and is again serving as president of the German Conference of Cities, helps drive home the importance of multilingualism with a personal word: “Good language abilities create self-confidence and a sense of security and independence.”
Currently the posters are being sent to adult education centres, schools, and many other educational establishments. All those who are interested may also order a poster free of charge.