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 5, the ACG and the German Consulate in New York for a discussion with young Bundestag members Gyde Jensen (FDP) and Elisabeth Kaiser (SPD) as they reflect on the 30th anniversary of German Unification – and what it means for them, given that they were young children when this historic event occurred. How do they view the development of unified Germany over the last three decades? How important is this milestone today and as Germany looks to the future?
This event is part of a series of [virtual] Transatlantic Town Halls: German Bundestag Member Dialogues, 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.
2020 marks the 30th anniversary of German Unification. On October 1, the American Council on Germany and the German Consulate General in New York hosted a discussion with Robert B. Zoellick, the Lead U.S. Official for the Two-Plus-Four Negotiations which ultimately led to German Unification. He reflected on the historic developments 30 years ago, talked about lessons learned, and shared his thoughts on current and future challenges for the transatlantic alliance.
While conspiracy theories are gaining ground among sections of the population even in times of pandemics, controversies over diversity in editorial and reporting are gaining momentum on both sides of the Atlantic. With Nil Idil Cakmak of Neue Deutsche Medienmacher, Paulina Fröhlich of Das Progressive Zentrum, Martina Guzmán of Wayne State University Law School, Aleksandra Tulej of biber Verlagsgesellschaft; and moderated by Leonard Novy. This event was organized by 1014 and the Institute for Media and Communications, with the support of the ACG.
2020 has been overshadowed by the novel coronavirus pandemic. National governments, societies, health care systems, and multinational corporations have raced to contain a constantly evolving public health crisis. As we enter the fall, the COVID-19 pandemic shows little signs of abating – but this is not the time to give up. On September 28, the Council hosted a conversation with ACG Board Member Dr. Franklin W. Maddux, Global Chief Medical Officer and Member of the Management Board of Fresenius Medical Care, who discussed how agility, ingenuity, and innovation have helped come to terms with the pandemic.
On September 25,the ACG hosted a webinar on the future of e-mobility with Michael D’Orazio, President at Sportiva; Stefan Knupfer, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company; James Schulte, Director at Exelon; Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair, Public Policy & Regulation at Dentons; and moderated by Elke Rehbock, Partner at Dentons and ACG Board Member. This event is held in partnership with the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association.