The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany has invited AAFSW members to a presentation on “The Role of the German Embassy in Washington, DC, in particular Cultural Affairs” on November 29 at 11:00 a.m. The presentation will be  followed by a question and answer session with Mr. Jan Eckendorf, Director of the Culture Department. The Germany Embassy is located at 4645 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic in central-western Europe. With about 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous member state of the European Union. After the United States, it is the second most popular immigration destination in the world. Germany’s capital and largest metropolis is Berlin.

After the reunification of 1990, and during the 21st century, Germany became a great power and has the world’s fourth largest economy. As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is both the world’s third-largest exporter and importer of goods. Germany is a developed country with a very high standard of living sustained by a skilled and productive society. It upholds a social security and universal health care system, environmental protection and a tuition-free university education.

Germany was a founding member of the European Union in 1993. It is part of the Schengen Area, and became a co-founder of the Eurozone in 1999. Germany is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the G8, the G20, and the OECD. The national military expenditure is the 9th highest in the world. Known for its rich cultural history, Germany has been continuously the home of influential artists, philosophers, musicians, sportspeople and entrepreneurs. It is a global leader in science and technology.

In the 2005 elections, Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany as the leader of a grand coalition. In 2009, a liberal-conservative coalition under Merkel assumed leadership of the country. In 2013, a grand coalition was established in a Third Merkel cabinet. Among the major German political projects of the early 21st century are the advancement of European integration, the energy transition (Energiewende) for a sustainable energy supply, the “Debt Brake” for balanced budgets, measures to increase the fertility rate significantly (pronatalism), and high-tech strategies for the future transition of the German economy. Germany was affected by the European migrant crisis in 2015, as it became the final destination of choice for most migrants entering the EU. The country took in over a million refugees and developed a quota system, which redistributed migrants around its federal states based on their tax income and existing population density.

The Embassy advises bringing a valid picture ID and arriving 30-45 minutes prior to the presentation. For security reasons, cell phones, laptops, tablets and similar electronic devices are prohibited in the chancellery so consider leaving phones in your car during your visit. If necessary, some may be stored in lockers, situated in the embassy’s entrance area.

There are some parking spots on Reservoir Road, where you can park for up to three hours.

RSVP by Tuesday, November 22 to office@aafsw.org. Please note that we have limited space, so register early.

We look forward to seeing you.

~Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair