Under the auspices of Deutschlandjahr, the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) partnered with the ACG to hold a series of public policy discussions with German decision-makers, opinion leaders, and policy experts in 18 communities across the United States. Together, both organizations leveraged their respective networks to arrange forums for dialogue and engagement outside of the policy community in Washington and the business community in New York. Six German experts made week-long speaking tours to three communities, where they will engage with local leaders as well as the community at large through a variety of events and activities. WACA and ACG drew on the network of more than 90 World Affairs Councils in 40 states and more than 20 ACG Chapters to design each speaking tour.
Local Councils and Chapters provided ancillary opportunities to engage, such as smaller roundtables for specific groups. Formats and venues were designed to encourage dialogue and exchange, with an emphasis on reaching populations not usually brought into these conversations. Public schools, libraries, community centers, places of worship, and community colleges were locations for events.
This was a natural partnership. WACA brings its extensive network of Councils and the ACG brings longstanding expertise on Germany. Together the two organizations reached a wider audience than if each organization was operating alone.
The speaking tours took place throughout 2019.
