Dear Members, Friends and Supporters,
 
Since last year, the AmerikaHaus NRW is a proud member of the Association of German-American Centers (Verbund Deutsch-Amerikanischer Zentren | VDAZ). Today, we would like to draw your attention and cordially invite you to a virtual event jointly hosted by the VDAZ and the American Council on Germany:

The transatlantic relationship is a cornerstone of the international order and ties at the subnational level are essential for effectively addressing the common challenges facing communities on both sides of the Atlantic, now and in the future. Complex global and local issues like climate change, promoting sustainable development, and supporting workforce preparedness can be tackled by working together. As we edge into an increasingly polarized global system, strengthening subnational ties across the Atlantic is key to maintaining the transatlantic partnership.

The American Council on Germany (ACG) and the Association of German-American Centers (Verbund Deutsch-Amerikanischer Zentren, VDAZ) are excited to launch a series of digital events aimed at exploring the challenges confronting local communities and the importance of subnational diplomacy. In the coming months, we will delve into specific aspects of transnational diplomacy and how people-to-people connections help strengthening transatlantic relations for the future.

Join us on June 5 at 1 pm Eastern for the opening discussion with Ambassador Nina Hachigian (ret), Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State, and Michael Georg Link, Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation at the German Federal Foreign Ministry and Member of the German Bundestag (FDP). They will make the case for subnational diplomacy. This event will be moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, the President of the American Council on Germany.

Ambassador Nina Hachigian (ret) is the first U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State. Previously she served as the first Deputy Mayor for International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles. From 2014 to 2017, Ambassador Hachigian served as the second U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She was awarded the State Department’s Superior Honor Award for her service. Earlier, Ambassador Hachigian was a Senior Fellow and a Senior Vice President at the Center for American Progress focused on Asia policy and U.S.-China relations. Prior to that, she was the director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy for four years. Ambassador Hachigian served on the staff of the National Security Council in the Clinton White House from 1998-1999. She is the editor of Debating China: The U.S. – China Relationship in Ten Conversations (Oxford University Press, 2014) and co-author of The Next American Schuster, 2008). She writes frequently about city and state diplomacy.

Michael Georg Link is a member of the German Bundestag, where he represents the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and his home electoral district, Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg. He is the Spokesperson on Europe of the FDP Parliamentary Group, and since March 2022, he has been the Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation at the Federal Foreign Office. In addition, Mr. Link is a member of the party council of the European Liberals (ALDE) and a member of the FDP national executive board in his capacity as party Treasurer. He is a member of the Heilbronn City Council and also the Chairperson of the FDP association in that city. From January 2012 to December 2013, he was Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office and Federal Government Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation. In particular, he was responsible for relations with the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and NATO, as well as bilateral relations with the United States and Canada. After his military service, Mr. Link studied Russian and French at the universities of Augsburg, Lausanne, and Heidelberg. 

Dr. Steven E. Sokol is the President and CEO of the American Council on Germany (ACG). Previously, he served as President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and prior to that he was the Vice President and Director of Programs at the ACG. Educated in Germany and the United States, he has spent more than 20 years working for non-profit organizations in both countries. Dr. Sokol is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and sits on several advisory boards. He was awarded a Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit) for his work to strengthen German-American relations.

The event will be held in English. 

Many thanks to the American Council on Germany and the Association of German-American Centers for hosting this event!

Please register here.