City Treasurer Uwe Becker and Consul General Jo Ellen Powell

Consul General Powell and City Treasurer Uwe Becker promote UnderstandinG
February 1, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Frankfurt City Treasurer Uwe Becker joined together to promote German-American friendship through the UnderstandinG program on February 1. This year, the focus will be on the youth competition „Über Brücken – Überbrücken“ (Over Bridges – Bridging Over) on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin airlift. 

"With UnderstandinG we would like to facilitate a lively cultural exchange between Americans and Germans, particularly here in the Frankfurt region. Only through people-to-people meetings can cultural appreciation for each other grow and biases be diminished," said City Treasurer Uwe Becker at a press conference announcing the competition.  U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell pointed out: "Many young people today have no concept of the hardship and deprivations endured by their grandparents in that postwar period. The air lift is a powerful symbol of the strong and enduring ties between the U.S. and Germany. We want to keep that spirit alive.” 

Frankfurt schools, American and international schools in the Rhein-Main region as well as organizations and clubs, are being called on to participate in the competition. 

Participating children and young people could turn in their projects by until April 30, 2008. The proposals should present their perspective on the historical events of the airlift and the importance of the airlift for 'building bridges' today. There are no restrictions on innovative ideas. Projects can be in formats such as display, video, song, poster, post card, pictures, painting, and sculpture. A project description in German and English and a list of participants must also be included. Cooperation of Germans and Americans working together on a project is a plus. The winning projects will be announced at Fraport AG’s official airlift ceremony on June 26, 2008. More

Projects can be submitted to:
Anne Rückschloß, Stadt Frankfurt am Main - Dezernat Finanzen, Paulsplatz 9, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Telefon (069) 212-35539, E-Mail anne.rueckschloss@stadt-frankfurt.de

or
Dr. Kirsten Gerstner, US-Generalkonsulat - Presse-und Kulturabteilung, Gießener Straße 30, 60435 Frankfurt am Main, Tel:  (069)-7535-8824, E-mail: gerstnerk@state.gov