At the international video game fair Gamescom in Cologne, Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) are recruiting young people with innovative booths.
The BND offers a game where visitors become secret agents and train for cyber challenges, while the Bundeswehr provides young attendees with tank simulators, helicopter flights, and physical training. The goal is to attract new personnel to ensure Germany’s security at a time when the country is facing demographic aging.
Meanwhile, the German Foreign Minister is trying to recruit nurses from Indonesia, but challenges include educational requirements and recognition of certifications needed to obtain work visas in Germany.
Pacifist critics have opposed the Bundeswehr’s presence at the fair, calling it inappropriate to promote the military at a gaming event.
