Colombia
Germany and Columbia will be collaborating more intensively in the areas of education and research in the future. This was the result of a visit to Bogotá undertaken by Federal Minister of Education and Research Schavan in March 2009 in response to an invitation extended by Columbia's President Alvaro Uribe. During her meeting with Minister Schavan, Columbia's Minister of Education Cecilia María Vélez White signalled a strong interest in collaboration with Germany in the area of vocational education and training as well. In the wake of Minister Schavan's visit, BIBB representatives travelled to Bogotá in November 2009 to meet with officials from Columbia's Ministry of Education (MEN) and National Service for Vocational Training (SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje). These meetings revolved around a cooperation agreement and areas for future collaboration.
