The spread of COVID-19 and the ensuing global lock-down as governments try to slow the spread of the corona virus has tested individuals and institutions around the world. Since March of 2020, the ACG has stepped up its digital programming by hosting webinars and video discussions which bring together policy makers and thought leaders from both sides of the Atlantic to discuss some of the key issues shaping transatlantic relations in an unprecedented time. In addition to organizing events on its own, the ACG has also partnered with other organizations such as 1014 and Atlantik-Brücke to launch new series designed to reach beyond the ACG community.
On October 29, the ACG and Atlantik-Brücke hosted a webinar as part of the [virtual] 2020 German-American Conference to discuss how transatlantic relations, and politics in general, can become more inclusive. The discussion featured Dr. Petra Bendel, Professor of Political Science, Erlangen-Nürnberg University; Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Janet Murguía, President and CEO, UNIDOS; Cem Özdemir, Member of the Bundestag (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Dr. Michael Werz (Moderator), Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress.
As National Cybersecurity Awareness month draws to a close, on October 28 the ACG and the Wirtschaftsrunde hosted a special discussion on “The Future of German-American Cooperation in Cyberspace and on Digitalization” with the new German Deputy Consul General in New York Wolfram von Heynitz, who previously served as the Head of the Cyber Policy Coordination Staff of the German Federal Foreign Office.
As the United States prepares to go to the polls, on October 27, the ACG and World Denver hosted a discussion with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, in conversation with Ambassador Christopher Hill. Ambassador Wolfgang reflected on the challenges facing the U.S.-German relationship. This event was held under the auspices of Wunderbar Together USA 2020.
Border closures, regional lock-downs, and layoffs of migrant workers due to the pandemic have impacted the movement of people – and fundamentally changed the nature of global migration. What are the repercussions of the inability of migrant workers to travel to agricultural fields or other places of work? Will public opinion toward migrants change for the better given that labor migrants often serve as essential workers? Or will xenophobia and resentment increase in light of the economic crisis? How are governments in Europe and the United States addressing migration during a simultaneous public health and economic crisis?
On October 27, the ACG and 1014 hosted a discussion with Theresa Brown, Director of Immigration and Cross-Border Policy, Bipartisan Policy Center; Dr. J. Olaf Kleist, Senior Researcher, German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM); and Cristobal Ramón, Senior Policy Analyst, Bipartisan Policy Center, as part of the Resilience and Adaption series.
In 2020 St. Louis and Stuttgart are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their sister city relationship which was established to encourage people-to-people and government-to-government interaction. Since 1960, numerous exchanges have taken place between the two cities that have included: business and government leaders, medical professionals, high school and university students and faculty, choral groups, chamber musicians, ballet troupes, orchestras, and athletes.
During this discussion Lyda Krewson, Mayor of St. Louis, and Fritz Kuhn, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart talked about about this successful sister city relationship, the local impact of COVID-19, and how they are addressing climate change, among other topics.
This event is part of a series of [Virtual] Transatlantic Town Halls: German-American Mayors Forum, which is being organized by the American Council on Germany under the auspices of WunderbarTogether USA 2020, a comprehensive and collaborative initiative funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Goethe-Institut.