Selected Events 2008

Consul General Powell brings America to Students in Ludwigshafen
May 15, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell visited the Pestalozzi Hauptschule in Ludwigshafen on May 15th.  75% of the school's 430 students have an immigrant background. The students stem from 30 different countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Columbia, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, and Vietnam.  Director Lothar Blase welcomed the Consul General and gave her an introduction to the school. He explained the school's focus on encouraging and engaging the students and improving their self-esteem.  The Pestalozzi students helped painting and decorating their school and now work on building a cafeteria.  Three students from Iraq, Turkey and Morocco presented the school's initiative on racism and xenophobia to the Consul General and proudly reported that their school is free of racism. Afterwards, Consul General Powell lead a discussion about America with some 20 students from Turkey, Kosovo, Italy, Greece and Iraq.  She also introduced Ambassador Timken's Windows on America program, which caused great enthusiasm among the students. They got so motivated by the possibility to visit the United States for the first time in their lives that they promised their teachers to work harder on their English from now on.  Photo Gallery | (More)

Darmstadt student hear about visa applications

Visa explained to Darmstadt Students
May 14, 2008. On May 14th, EducationUSA Frankfurt/U.S. Consulate visited the Technische Universität Darmstadt Darmstadt to brief exchange students on the visa application process. 35 students who will start studying in the United States this fall had their questions answered. The University cooperates with a large number of U.S. universities, including Virginia Tech, the University of Illinois, the State University of Buffalo, N.Y. and the University of California, Berkeley.

"Crossing Borders" in Karlsruhe
May 8, 2008. 600 high school and university students from Karlsruhe checked out opportunities to “cross borders” at an exchange fair at the University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe. 30 organizations presented programs and information on working and studying in European and overseas countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada. At the EducationUSA booth, about 70 students received advice on internships, studying a semester abroad, Au Pair and high school year in the United States. The American Library Karlsruhe presented their services.

America at Baden-Wuerttemberg Tag in Ulm
May 4, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General joined the four German-American Institutes located in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Heidelberg, Tuebingen, Freiburg, Stuttgart) at the third Baden-Wuerttemberg Tag. The institutes and the Consulate presented their programs and services and EducationUSA Frankfurt provided information on studying and working in the United States. Hundreds of visitors checked their knowledge about America by taking a USA quiz. They also picked up information on the United States, enjoyed more than a 1000 bags of American-style salted popcorn and tried their skill at basketball. 30000 visitors enjoyed the Baden-Wuerttemberg Tag, with more than 80 exhibitors showcasing services and organizations in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Enter photogallery

Opening of the international tracing service archive to researchers and the public
April 30, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell attended the opening ceremony of the International Tracing Service (ITS) Archive at Bad Arolsen on April 30.  The ITS Archive maintains the largest collection of documents on victims of Nazi persecutions and the Holocaust worldwide.  More than 50 million records containing information on over 17.5 million people will be available for historical research and the general public for the first time.  Until now, the International Tracing Service provided information only for victims and family members.  In an effort to improve access to the archival materials and to ensure that future generations may use the documents, the Archive is currently digitizing its records. The ITS operates under the auspices of the eleven member states of the International Commission for the International Tracing Service (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, USA), as established in the Bonn Agreements of 1955 and the amendment protocols of 2006.  Each of the signatory states will receive digital copies of the materials; in the United States, the Holocaust Museum will be the clearinghouse for the Archive materials.  The Holocaust Museum provided a grant of $250,000 to the ITS archive. 

Let’s Go USA - Stuttgart and Reutlingen Students Learn About Exchange Opportunities
April 29, 2008. Students attended events in Stuttgart and Reutlingen yesterday and used the opportunity to discuss exchange opportunites with the United States. The German-American Institute Stuttgart and EducationUSA Frankfurt distributed information on their activites at a youth exchange fair in the city hall. In the evening, a two-hour information session by EducationUSA Frankfurt was held at the labor exchange in Reutlingen. The event was organized by the German-American Institute Tübingen. At both events, students picked up information on the activities of the German-American Institutes, the U.S. Consulate General and the services offered by EducationUSA. About 50 students received individual advise, with the majority asking about studying in the United States, internships and Au Pair.

"MeetUS" school outreach at high schools in Karben and Frankfurt
April 29 and 30, 2008. A member of the IRS at the U.S. Consulate General, and volunteer Katherine Henly offered workshops on “The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Elections” to sixty-five 13th graders at the Kurt Schumacher-Gymnasium in Karben and the Goethe Gymnasium Frankfurt.  They explained the American election system, especially the election of the presidential nominees in a unique primary and caucus system, as well as the candidates’ personal and political backgrounds and positions. They also analyzed the special dynamics of this year's campaign and offered an outlook on the further development of the campaign.  During Henly’s workshop a journalist took film shots for a special 3Sat internet television feature which will be up on the 3Sat homepage as of May 17. 

Consul General Jo Ellen Powell greets the participants

J-1 Visa Information Session at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt
April 24, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell greeted 70 participants at the third J-1 exchange visa information session held at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt on April 24. In her welcome remarks she emphasized the importance of exchanges for the United States and thanked the participants for their efforts. Representatives of about 70 German exchange organizations and international offices of universities received information on American Citizen Services and new developments in regard to J-1 visa applications. A highlight was the digital video conference with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in Washington D.C. Participants used the event to receive answers to numerous questions. With more the 8,000 students attending high school, and 8,000 university students studying in the United States each year, Germany is one of the leading sending countries world-wide.

Earth Day celebration at Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce
April 22, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the German Committee of Earth Day International joined forces again in organizing the celebration of Earth Day 2008 at the IHK Frankfurt.  Prof. Dr. Christian Schönwiese, an internationally renowned climate expert at Frankfurt University and collaborator of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), und John Morrill, Energy Director of the Department of Environmental Services in Arlington County, Virginia, discussed the topic of "Taking Climate Protection Into Our Own Hands:  Successes of New Grassroots Movements" with representatives of environmental organizations, private businesses, academia and the media.  Schönwiese explained the past, current and future impact of climate change on local and regional levels based on the most recent scientific research.  Morrill explained the impressive success of local and regional initiatives in the United States in their efforts to achieve and even surpass Kyoto Protocol targets.  Using Arlington County as a case study, he demonstrated how a new public environmental awareness had facilitated a fruitful cooperation between county and city governments, private companies and NGOs.  He pointed out that the quantifiable successes had received wide attention in the media (Washington Post) and politics leading to a cascade of neighboring counties and even whole states following Arlington County's example.

U.S. expert analyzes role of economy in U.S. elections
April 15, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General and the American-German Business Club Karlsruhe jointly organized a luncheon lecture by the economist Howard Rosen, resident visiting fellow at the renowned Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, D.C., on "The 2008 U.S. Elections: Is It ‘The Economy, Stupid!’ Again?” at the restaurant “Erbprinz” in Ettlingen near Karlsruhe. As Rosen was able to present results of his own original research, representatives of international companies from the Nord-Baden region doing business with the United States received many new insights into the interplay between presidential elections and the economy, a connection directly affecting their professional activities. The guests also received comprehensive topical information material provided by the consulate's Information Resource Center.

USA Booth draws crowd at "Horizon" in Friedrichhafen
April 12/13, 2008. Information on exchange opportunities with the U.S. was in great demand at the two day career fair Horizon in Friedrichshafen. Hundreds of high school and university students visited the booth shared by EducationUSA Frankfurt and the German-American Institute Tübingen. They picked up information on the activities of the German-American Institute and the services offered by EducationUSA. The CD-ROM "About the USA" and information on the services of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt were also popular. Close to 200 received individual advise, with the majority asking about studying in the United States, internships and Au Pair. Presentations on these topics were attended by about 30 person each. A total of 4300 students visited the Horizon.

German Minister of Defense and U.S. Ambassador Visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
April 11, 2008. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and German Minister of Defense Dr. Franz Josef Jung visited the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on April 11. For Defense Minister Jung it was the first visit to the largest American hospital outside the United States. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center provides care for military personnel and their families within European Command, and is also the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. service members and contractors as well as for members of the coalition forces stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The following day, Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue visited the German Cancer Research Institute in Heidelberg.

Consul General Powell Congratulates New U.S. Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony in Stuttgart 
April 9, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt organized a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison in Stuttgart on April 9. 11 armed forces service members took the oath of allegiance and became U.S. citizens during a special overseas military naturalization ceremony. On February 6, 2008, the Consulate swore in 13 new citizens in Vilseck; similar ceremonies have also taken place in the past in Heidelberg and Kaiserslautern. In 2007, 148 service members were naturalized at events organized by the Consulate. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell said at the ceremony in Stuttgart that U.S. citizenship was the greatest benefit that this country had to give and we are honored to have the ability to recognize service to our country in this way. Major General William D. Catto, Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, presided over the ceremony for the service members, their families and friends.

Briefing on U.S. foreign policy at Mannheim Bundeswehr Academy
April 8, 2008. U.S. foreign policy expert Andrew Denison, Director of Transtlantic Networks in Königswinter, gave a lecture on “U.S. Security Policy at the Beginning of the 21st Century” at a seminar at the Bundesakademie für Wehrverwaltung und Wehrtechnik in Mannheim on April 8.  Arranged by PA Frankfurt, the lecture was part of a week-long seminar on “The Basic Principles and Developments of Security Policy” conducted by the Academy which trains the civilian branch of the German Bundeswehr.  The purpose of this intensive orientation seminar was to prepare civilian experts of the Bundeswehr for NATO missions abroad which will involve liaison and cooperation with U.S. military forces.  Denison contributed to a well-rounded preparation by providing an overview of U.S. security and foreign policy, transatlantic security cooperation and a big picture of security challenges faced by the U.S. and Europe.

Mainz Celebrates German-American Friendship
April 6, 2008. The city of Mainz hosted its fourth colorful festival celebrating German American friendship on April 6, following up on previous years' successful events that started after President Bush's visit to the city in 2005. Along with thousands of visitors, Lord Mayor Jens Beutel and Deputy Principal Officer Richard Aker underscored the importance of German-American friendship on a person-to-person level. "Since these festivals bring together Germans and Americans, they are in the truest and best sense bridge building." As guest of honor at the opening ceremony, Deputy Principal Officer Aker talked about his personal connection to Mainz and Rhineland-Palatinate, which he has visited several times in previous years. He commended the University of Mainz on their excellent American Studies department and mentioned its exchange program with the United States. Photo gallery (More)

Consul General jo Ellen Powell visits Ulm
April 3, 2008. On April 3, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell was in Ulm for a courtesy call on Lord Mayor Ivo Gönner.  Before the meeting with the Lord Mayor, Consul General Powell met the editorial board of Südwest-Presse, one of the most important regional daily newspapers in Germany, with a circulation of 325,000. Their discussion focused on a wide range of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues.  Foreign policy topics included the U.S. position on NATO enlargement, the NATO Summit in Bucharest, the War on Terror, and the U.S. strategy to establish stable and democratic governments in Iraq and Afghanistan.  US domestic topics covered in the extensive discussion were the subprime crisis in the United States, the fall of the dollar against the Euro and the presidential election campaign. The discussion concluded with an on-the-record interview that was published on April 5, 2008.

Visa Briefing at University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt
April 3, 2008. On April 3rd, EducationUSA Frankfurt/U.S. Consulate visited the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt to talk about exchange opportunities with the United States and to explain the visa application process. 10 professors who advise students in their departments about study and intern opportunities in the U.S. attended a special briefing and had their questions answered. 25 students enjoyed a second information session. Following an overview, 12 students who will attend a partner university in the U.S. or do an internship later this year had the visa application process and the forms explained to them.

U.S. Expert Analyzes Role of Economy in 2008 Elections
March 31, 2008. James W. Seward, head of the U.S. Consulate's press and cultural section, hosted a luncheon in honor of Susan Alexander, managing director of Minerva Co., Luxembourg, at a local restaurant in Frankfurt.  Ms. Alexander engaged prominent guests, among them the chief economist of Union Investment, the director of Frankfurt’s Center for Financial Studies, and ZDF’s stock exchange specialist, in an extended discussion of the role of the economy and economic policy in the 2008 U.S. elections. Later that evening she lectured on the same topic to students and faculty at the prestigious private European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel near Wiesbaden. Personally acquainted with some of the economic advisors for the Republican and Democratic candidates in the primary race, Alexander was able to offer her interlocutors special insights into the role of the state of economy in the presidential election, showing that the economy is already playing a much greater role in the campaign than foreign policy.

Frankfurt High School Students Interested in Studying in the United States
March 18, 2008. As part of "infotage 2008", more than 70 high school students from the Frankfurt region attended an information session on studying in the United States. EducationUSA Frankfurt gave a presentation on the U.S. higher education system, the application process, financial aid and exchange opportunities. The presentation was followed by a questions & answer session on the topic. Students picked up information material on the services of the U.S. Consulate General, EducationUSA and the Information Resource Center. "infotage", organized by the Labor Exchange, is a week long information fair at Frankfurt Universities, which provides 11th and 12th graders with the opportunity to experience college life, listen to lectures and visit the campuses.

DPO Richard Aker new Board member of GAI Tübingen
March 5, 2008. As the new member of the board of the German-American Society Tübingen representing the Consulate General, Deputy Principal Officer Richard Aker visited the German-American Institute in Tübingen. After meeting the other Board members, Aker attended the membership meeting of the Society. Aker addressed the participating members and thanked them and the GAI board and staff for the excellent work they do for the German-American friendship. He also thanked leaving board president Rolf-Christian Schiller, who is leaving his post after retiring as Deputy District President of Tübingen. The evening sounded out with songs by Marilyn Monroe presented by actress and singer Sylvia Schäfler to close the exhibit "American Stars: Hollywood and the Fifties".

Freiburg opens a "Window on America"
February 28, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell traveled to Freiburg to introduce the "Windows on America" program at the Emil-Gött-Schule to students and their parents on February 28. The Emil-Gött-Schule was selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the program that provides exchange opportunities for students of immigrant backgrounds who have been underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between the United States and Germany. School director Luise Blanken opened the evening and thanked the U.S. Consulate on behalf of her students. Consul General Powell explained the details of the program and emphasized how pleased she was about the students' interest in the United States, developed through their work with American dancers the year before when the school participated in the Dancing to Connect program.  Freiburg Lord Mayor Dr. Dieter Salomon encouraged the students to look beyond stereotypes and form their own opinion about the U.S. based on their experiences.  He shared some of his own impressions from his U.S. government-sponsored trip to the states a few years ago. Angela Berg of Experiment e.V. , whose sister organization World Learning puts together the program in the United States, spoke about their role in organizing pre-departure briefings as well as the program in the U.S. and the stays in the host families.  Photo Gallery | (More)

U.S. Vice Consul Mike Fitzpatrick Illustrates Immigration Law
February 26, 2008. Vice consul Mike Fitzpatrick and Swiss Consul General Julius F. Anderegg presented first-hand information on immigration law at a reception of the Steuben-Schurz-Society on February 26. Among the audience were representatives of other consulates in Frankfurt. Both Fitzpatrick and Anderegg explained that immigration regulations in the U.S. and Switzerland particularly encourage highly-qualified applicants. Quoting from statistics of the European Union, Steuben-Schurz-Society President Dr. Ingrid Gräfin zu Solms-Wildenfels added that 85% of immigrants to the U.S. are highly-qualified, whereas the same percentage of immigrants to Germany have only a low qualification. Vice consul Fitzpatrick pointed out that the Green Card Lottery policy ensures that the number of applicants with certain nationalities is balanced. He was pleased to say that the usually well-trained German applicants have a good chance to be among the nearly 100,000 winners who are allowed to apply for permanent visas. Consul General Mr Anderegg stressed that it is the good working conditions that draw people to Switzerland and not necessecarity low taxation. In his introductory presentation, lawyer Dr. Mike Rinker gave the audience an overview of the difficult German regulations. A reform of German immigration law will help to ensure that highly-qualified applicants have a better chance of getting German residence permits.

Sofi Žesmer Exhibit Openend in Wiesbaden
February 24, 2008. An exhibition of uniquely colorful and unusual art opened on February 24 at Museum Wiesbaden, featuring works by the internationally renowned U.S. artist Sofi Žesmer, who was born in Poland and now lives in Wiesbaden.  Sofie Žesmer's works "inspire the imagination; they are just plain fun while at the same time instilling reflection about the traditional categories that art is usually put into," as James Seward, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, said in his opening remarks. Museum Director Dr. Volker Rattemeyer pointed out that "REM-Phase" features works by Sofi Žesmer from the past four years and is an example of Museum Wiesbaden's focus on providing a platform for contemporary artists who are usually exhibiting their works in commercial galleries or art associations. Deputy Director of the Museum and curator of the exhibit, Dr. Renate Petzinger, introduced the over 300 guests of the opening to Sophie Žesmer's art works. The exhibit will remain at Museum Wiesbaden until May 25. There will be a talk with the artist on Thursday, April 17 at 18:00 at Museum Wiesbaden. Museum Wiesbaden is also currently showing works of U.S. artist Robert Indiana until May 18.

Advising Advisers - USA Briefing for German Labor Exchange Experts
February 20, 2008. Twenty advisers from the German Labor Exchange enjoyed a four-hour information session on exchange opportunities with the United States. The participants from offices of the International Placement Services inform, advise and place anybody with an academic degree. During the session at the labor exchange Frankfurt, EducationUSA Frankfurt provided an overview of possibilities, ranging from a high school year abroad to working as an Au Pair and studying at the undergraduate and graduate level. The advisers from all over Germany, including Bremen, Magdeburg, Dresden, Stuttgart, Nürnberg and Hamburg and Frankfurt, had their questions answered and received information on EducationUSA Germany, copies of the "If You Want to Study in the U.S." guides and the e-journal "College & University Education in the United States". 

Opening a Music Window to America
February 19, 2008. At Hauptschule Innenstadt Tübingen, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell introduced the "Windows on America" program to members of the school band and their parents. Hauptschule Innenstadt was selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the program initiated in 2006 by Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. and his wife Sue Timken. "Windows on America" is a public-private partnership that provides opportunities for students of immigrant backgrounds who have been underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between the United States and Germany. The students travel to the United States for a ten-day trip, visiting American cities such as New York, Washington, DC, and Charlotte, North Carolina. While on their trip, the students are exposed to all aspects of American culture, school, and life by visiting American museums and monuments, touring American high schools, and participating in home stays with American families. (More)

"MeetUS" School Outreach at Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium
February 18 and 19, 2008. Katherine Henly, a young volunteer engaged in the U.S. Consulate General's school outreach program "MeetUS," offered workshops on "The American Dream"  and on "The United States - A Country of Immigrants" to 4 classes of 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg. Henly explained the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. She also discussed the role of the American Dream in the history of immigration to the United States and encouraged students with an immigrant background to share their own experiences. The question whether the American Dream was just an American dream or perhaps their own personal dream, or a European, or a universal dream triggered a long and lively debate. Provided by the consulate's Information Resource Center, Ms. Henly presented the hosting teachers with a large collection of literature and materials on the discussion topics and on the U.S. in general.

Consul General Powell at AmCham panel discussion on U.S. elections
February 13, 2008.  U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell joined Dr. Lutz Raettig, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Morgan Stanley, and Dr. Jackson Janes, Executive Director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, in a panel discussion on "What drives the US Election 2008? Trends, Tendencies and Outlooks on German-American Ties" hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce at the studio of Hessischer Rundfunk in the Maintower in Frankfurt.  Moderated by Serge Schmemann, editor of the International Herald Tribune's editorial page, the discussion attracted over 60 influential representatives of business, government and the media. The panelists shared their thoughts on the primary elections and the possible impact of the election of any one of the candidates on U.S. foreign policy in general and German-American relations in particular.

Consul General Powell discusses U.S. Elections at AGBC luncheon
February 12, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell provided an overview of the U.S. election system and the 2008 elections to a group of 70 business leaders, journalists, and academics at a luncheon hosted by the American German Business Club Frankfurt on February 12. In her remarks Powell explained why this year’s election had attracted more than the usual attention, how the primary elections and caucuses had become the main mechanism for voters selecting the candidates for president, and how the internet is changing the dynamics of election campaigning. The lively discussion following the Consul General's remarks indicated the huge interest in this year’s elections in Germany.

"MeetUS" School Outreach at Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium
February 11, 2008. Consul Andrew Parker, head of the consular section at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, offered a workshop on “The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Elections” to twenty 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg.  Parker explained the way the United States chooses the presidential nominees in a unique primary and caucus system, described the candidates’ personal and political backgrounds and the dominant issues and analyzed the current status and further development of the campaign. Following the talk, Mr. Parker presented the hosting teacher, Ms. Vogt, with information materials on the U.S. elections, provided by the Consulate's Information Resource Center. 

U.S. Embassy Literature Series features Matt Ruff at the English Theatre Frankfurt
February 6, 2008. The U.S. Embassy Literature Series in cooperation with the Carl Hanser Verlag featured a reading by American author Matt Ruff at the English Theatre Frankfurt on February 6. Daniel Nicolai, Artistic and Executive Director of the English Theatre, welcomed the over eighty fans and highlighted the American focus in the current theatre season.  Public Affairs Officer Jim Seward introduced Matt Ruff and gave an overview of his works, before the writer read from his latest novel "Bad Monkeys" that has just been published in German by Carl Hanser Verlag. Dr. Anna Leube of Hanser Verlag moderated the lively Q&A session after the reading. Afterwards Matt Ruff stayed for over an hour to sign his books.  Photo Gallery 

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.  (More)

"MeetUS" School Outreach at Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium
February 1, 2008. Matthew Westhoff, an employee with the Internal Revenue Service at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, offered a workshop on “The American Dream” to thirty 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg. Mr. Westhoff explained the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. He also involved the students in a lively discussion of the question whether or not the American Dream was perhaps their own dream, a European dream or even a universal dream.  Following the talk, Mr. Westhoff presented the hosting teacher, Ms. Storck, with some literature and materials on the U.S., provided by the Consulate's Information Resource Center.

Christoph von Marschall draws huge crowd for lecture on Barack Obama
January 30, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General, the Hesse Center for political Education, the Center for North American Studies and the Swiss publisher Orell Füssli invited Dr. Christoph von Marschall, the U.S. correspondent of the Berlin-based daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, to give a lecture on "Barack Obama - The Black Kennedy" at Frankfurt University's Campus Westend. Von Marschall had accompanied Obama during parts of his campaign for Democratic nominee for the presidential election 2008 and had just published the first biography in German of Barack Obama. Von Marschall impressed almost 250 guests with many new insights into Obama's biography, personality and political stature. An expert on the intricacies of the U.S. election system and on the changing mood of the American electorate, he also offered fascinating analyses of the status and prospects of the ongoing primaries and various scenarios for the outcome of the election campaign. (More) 

U.S. Embassy Literature Series features John Haskell at the Karlsruhe American Library
January 30, 2008. The U.S. Embassy Literature Series featured a reading by American author John Haskell, currently guest professor and writer in residence at the University of Leipzig, at the American Library in Karlsruhe, the U.S. Consulate's America@yourLibrary partner, on January 30. Haskell was introduced by Dr. Karen Adams-Rischmann, writer herself and chairwoman of the Friends of the American Library Verein. After a dramatic reading from the novel “American Purgatorio,” John Haskell engaged in a lively discussion with an enthusiastic audience that made him read a short story of his first book "I am not Jackson Pollock", as well. Haskell’s reading is part of a series of literature programs for 2008, which celebrate the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Berlin. (More)

Seminar on Campaigning Draws Activists of Political Parties 
January 25 and 26, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the Atlantic Academy Rhineland-Palatinate organized a two-day seminar on “Winning at All Cost? Political Campaigning in the United States and Germany” at the Erbacher Hof in Mainz. The seminar drew many young activists from the CDU, SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, as well as print and TV journalists. American journalist Jerry Hagstrom of the National Journal, American campaign consultant Daniel Gotoff of Lake Research Partners in Washington, and five German campaign consultants and academics formed a formidable group of experts for the over 35 participants from Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Northrhine-Westfalia. (More)

U.S. Campaign Consultant Enganges Students On Campaining
January 23 and 24, 2008. Two groups of approximately 25 political science students each from Heidelberg and Frankfurt University visited the U.S. Consulate General. After a briefing on the functions of the consulate by IRC staffer Nicole Fries, Daniel Gotoff, a political campaign consultant with Lake Research Partners in Washington, D.C., gave a lecture on “The Business of Modern Campaign Consulting and the 2008 U.S. Elections" followed by intensive discussion. Watching the U.S. primary elections and the Hesse and Lower Saxony state elections, the students received a hands-on, insider’s perspective of modern political campaigning which nicely complemented their knowledge of political theory. 

Consul General Powell and Mrs. Timken attend interfaith and intercultural women's network in Frankfurt
January 22, 2008. The second meeting of the Interfaith and Intercultural Women's Network Frankfurt was hosted by Evangelisches Frauenbegegnungszentrum (EVA) and attended by ca. 40 women from various religious, cultural and occupational backgrounds, among them Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Mrs. Sue Timken. After Jewish, Christian and Muslim peace prayers, members of the Catholic and Protestant church introduced their activities with regard to interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Afterwards the group discussed future activities and how to translate the tremendous and diverse expertise of the participating women into action. The next roundtable will take place at the Jewish Community in April. The dialogue was started in November at Merquez Mosque.

"What a Difference a Trip Makes!" Alumni Talk to Library Community and University Students
January 22, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt arranged a discussion for two alumni of a state department exchange program and professors and students of library science at the media university in Stuttgart as well as invited librarians from the region on January 22. Dr. Sabine Homilius, Director of the Frankfurt city library, and Katinka Emminger of the Stuttgart city library gave a lively and enthusiastic report on their experiences at American libraries during their respective programs in the summer of 2007.  Both praised the high degree of volunteerism at American libraries as well as their services for minority groups like immigrants and the disabled. They also shared insights about latest technological concepts in the states like social computing. The audience was impressed by the active role American librarians play as mediators between the government and the citizens and by their prominent place in every community.  The idea of engaging local politicians and other distinctive community members in lobbying for libraries was inspiring to many.  (More)

Let’s go USA! EducationUSA and Visa Information Session at German-American Institute Tübingen
January 22, 2008. Three hours weren’t enough for all the questions the 50 information seekers who attended an EducationUSA and visa information session at the German-American Institute in Tübingen. The mostly young visitors from the Tübingen region asked about a wide variety of topics, ranging from privately organized stays at U.S. high schools to internships and from the Green Card lottery to intercompany transfers. Following an hour-long group advising session in the library of the GAI, EducationUSA Frankfurt transferred to a larger room to talk about various exchange opportunities with the United States, including studying at U.S. colleges, and answered questions posed during the presentation. Afterwards, two more hours were spent on individual advising sessions.

Exhibition of Pop Artist Robert Indiana opened in Wiesbaden
January 20, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell opened together with Hessen Minister for Research and the Arts, Udo Corts, and Museum Director Dr. Volker Rattemeyer a unique show of works by U.S. pop artist Robert Indiana at Museum Wiesbaden. The focus of the exhibition is on Indiana's work of the 1960s through the 1980s. Indiana, who is also known as the "American painter of signs" is best known for his "LOVE" theme, which is shown in the exhibit in various forms, one being in Hebrew. For the first time in Europe, Museum Wiesbaden is able to show Indiana's complete ensemble "Numbers", 10 sculptures showing the numbers 0-9 with a height of about two meters. The ensemble stands at the center of the show. At the opening, Consul General Powell conveyed best wishes from Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. who serves as patron of the exhibition and congratulated the Museum for presenting the works of this influential figure in American arts. The exhibition will be shown until May 18, 2008. (More) | Photogallery

Consul General Powell Meets The Wizard Of Oz
January 19, 2008. At the invitation of Dr. Kastening and his wife Astrid, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell visited the English Theatre Frankfurt to enjoy the musical "The Wizard of Oz" on January 19th. Some 40 young actors, mostly from the Frankfurt International School (FIS), performed in the play under the direction of Ms. Sheelagh Maythem, Director of Theatre Unlimited.  Dr. Kastening, who grew up in Berlin after WWII and received his first chocolate bar from an American soldier, also invited children of American military families to the premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" as a belated thank-you.  Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture. (More) | Photo Gallery | More about "The Wizard of Oz"

Kick-Off for Black History Month
January 8, 2008. American artist Paula Ross, who is currently working and living in Berlin, was sponsored by the Consulate General in Frankfurt to present a workshop at Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University as part of the "Schnittstellen" workshop series by the English and American Studies Department.  Ms. Ross provided a fascinating glimpse of the topic: “We Landed on American Shores: Who and What was There to Meet us: An Overview of Visual Culture and Ethnicity.”  Her presentation incorporated an examination of identity and power through an analysis of the portrayal of African Americans and Native Americans in art work.  Ms. Ross’s presentation was well-received by a group of about 40 professors, teachers, and students who returned early from school holidays to catch the presentation.  The event kicked off African-American History Month which starts in February.