Archive of Selected Past Events
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June 14: Ambassador Murphy and Foreign Minister Westerwelle Support the Aspen Institute Germany
Charles King Mallory IV, Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle, Ambassador Murphy
The US Embassy co-hosted the Aspen Institute Germany’s annual summer party. Ambassador Philip D. Murphy and Germany’s Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle highlighted the important role that the Aspen Institute and other policy think tanks play in the German-American relationship. Ambassador Murphy engaged in a conversation with Karsten D. Voigt, one of Germany’s most eminent transatlantic experts, about the future of the partnership between the United States and Europe. This year’s party also marked the official farewell of Charles King Mallory IV, the Aspen Institute Germany’s Executive Director, and the welcoming of his successor, Ruediger Lentz. Mr. Voigt and Dr. Roland Hoffmann-Theinert, Chairman of the Friends of the Aspen Institute, also praised the Aspen Institute for building personal and institutional relationships essential for a strong and dynamic, forward-looking and proactive German-American partnership.
June 12: International Literature Award
Teju Cole 2012
The International Literature Award – Haus der Kulturen der Welt 2013 goes to the Nigerian‐American writer Teju Cole for his novel Open City (Suhrkamp 2012) and to Christine Richter‐Nilsson for the book’s first translation into German. The author receives 25,000 euro and the translator 10,000 euro. It’s the fifth time the prize is being awarded. For the first time, the award ceremony (12 June) will also be accompanied by a “Long Night of the Short List,” in which the nominated writers and translators will be introduced in readings and discussions.
June 10: Ambassador Murphy at Kinder- und Jugendbibliothek der ZLB
Der jährliche Besuch des Botschafters der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika Philip D. Murphy steht 2013 im Zeichen des 50. Jahrestages des Besuchs von John F. Kennedy in Berlin. Mit Jugendlichen aus zwei Berliner Schulen wird der Botschafter über die Bedeutung Kennedys heute sprechen.
June 6: Greg Thielmann on Strategic Arms Control
Greg Thielmann
Greg Thielmann, senior fellow with the Arms Control Association, spoke with journalists on June 6 about the United States’ arms control agenda during President Obama’s second term. He discussed domestic political obstacles to arms reduction as well as the impact of recent developments in Iran and North Korea on strategic arms control. During the conversation, he touched upon the history of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, Iran’s nuclear program, and the evolution of U.S.-Russia arms control negotiations since the end of the Cold War. He noted that we are potentially poised on a new era for disarmament, as current systems approach the end of their lifespan and require replacement or phasing out. With Russia in particular, there is current latitude for change, as the number of Russian warheads is on track to be below the mandates of the 2018 START agreement. However, much depends on the willingness of the Russian administration and the U.S. Congress to engage in productive discussions on strategic arms control. For more information
Through June 6: JFK photo exhibit
Copyright: Achim Kleuker
Im Juni 1963 war Kennedy in die Bundesrepublik gekommen. Köln, Bonn, Wiesbaden und Frankfurt standen auf dem Programm einer Reise, die vor allem mit ihrem Abstecher nach Berlin zum Triumphzug werden sollte... Der Kennedy-Besuch markiert den Höhepunkt der Amerika-Begeisterung in Westdeutschland. Er war ein politisches, aber auch ein mediales Großereignis, das unter anderem der 28-jährige Ulrich Mack für die deutsche Illustrierte Quick begleitet hat.
June 5: World Environment Day
Das Umweltprogramm der Vereinten Nationen erklärte den Eröffnungstag des ersten Weltumweltgipfels in Stockholm 1972 zum Weltumwelttag.
June 4: Last Man on the Moon
„If you believed, they put a man on the moon“ is a line from a song by the popular American band R.E.M. Well, we had living proof today that there really was a man on the moon: Eugene A. Cernan, former Apollo astronaut and the last man that ever walked on the moon. In cooperation with the Institute for Planetary Research (DLR) and the Technik Museum Speyer, Mr. Cernan met with approximately 50 high school students from Berlin at the U.S. Embassy on June 4, 2013. Mr. Cernan told the students about his extraordinary life and adventures during his three space flights. In addition to some truly exciting stories he had brought along many impressive photos. We could have listened to him for hours. While in Germany, Mr. Cernan and representatives from the DLR visited the Technick Museum Speyer to present an original lunar rock piece for an exhibition from NASA, as well as other events in Berlin.
Eugene A. Cernan was part of the NASA astronaut program from 1963 until 1976. After his first mission on board of the “Gemini 9” he flew to the moon twice – being one of the very few ever. His first flight was with the “Apollo 10” and the second with “Apollo 14”, which ended the lunar mission program of the NASA. More information on Eugene A. Cernan can be found at : www.marklarson.com/genecernan/
June 4-5: Busy Schedule for Former CTO to Obama Presidential Campaigns while in Berlin
Michael Slaby explains a point to journalists at the U.S. Embassy Berlin
A veteran of the 2008 and 2012 U.S. presidential campaigns that made Barack Obama president, Michael Slaby is currently a Fellow at Shorenstein Center at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and an advisor to government, business and the non-profit sector on social media strategy and how to harness the power of digital technology for political campaigns.
In a series of meetings and presentations in Berlin, including a press briefing at the Embassy, a panel discussion hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce and BITKOM and a talk at Axel Springer AG, Slaby outlined the digital lessons learned from the two presidential campaigns, provoking intense debate about the use of digital media in German politics in the run-up to the September Bundestag elections.
May 31: U.S. and Germany sign Bilateral Tax Agreement
Ambassador Murphy signs the agreement
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy, Dr. Götz Schmidt-Bremme (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Martin Kreienbaum (Ministry of Finance) signed a bilateral agreement to facilitate the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
Enacted by Congress in 2010 and due to enter into force in 2014, FATCA targets non-compliance by U.S. taxpayers using foreign accounts. The agreement with Germany marks another important step in establishing a common approach to combating tax evasion.
Germany is one of eight countries that have signed or initiated a FATCA implementation agreement which helps to facilitate the effective and efficient implementation of FATCA.
May 30: DCM Melville speaks in „Ich bin ein Berliner“ series
Fünf Reden für die Hauptstadt in der Zwölf-Apostel-Kirche Schöneberg
May 29: Ambassador Murphy's farewell tour commences in Potsdam
Ambassador Murphy with guests at the Sanssouci palace in Potsdam
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy and his wife Tammy hosted about 80 invited guests at the Neue Kammern in Potsdam Sanssouci. The spring cocktail reception followed by a dinner in celebration of U.S.-Brandenburg relations was the Murphy’s first farewell dinner in a series of departure events around Germany. The Ambassador and his wife welcomed among their guests the Minister President of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzeck, the Brandenburg Minister for Education, Youth and Sports, Dr. Martina Münch, Parliamentary State Secretary Katherina Reiche, the State Party chairman of Die Linke in Brandenburg, Stefan Ludwig, the General Manager of the Foundation Prussian Castles and Gardens, Professor Hartmut Dorgerloh as well as the former Minister President of Brandenburg, Dr. Manfred Stolpe, and the former Brandenburg Minister of the Interior, Jörg Schönbohm.
May 29: Round Table on Higher Education
Hertie School of Governance
The conference "Teaching Citizenship and Values in Higher Education: From Liberal Arts Colleges to Professional Schools" will take place at the Hertie School of Governance on May 29, 2013.
ECLA of Bard's Rector and Provost Thomas Rommel was invited to give the opening remarks, together with the US Ambassador Philip D. Murphy, and the Dean of the Hertie School of Governance Helmut Anheier. Leon Botstein, President of Bard College, and Catherine Toal, ECLA of Bard's Dean, will be joining the conference as panelists.
May 29: Ambassador Murphy Announces His Future Plans
Ambassador Murphy Announces His Future Plans
Ambassador Murphy held a press conference on May 29th in which he announced his departure and outlined his future plans. “On July 6, I will return to the US,” the Ambassador said, “fully satisfied that indeed we have strengthened and deepened the relationship between our two countries and among our citizens, across the full range of political, security, economic and social issues that bind our nations together.” The Ambassador called his four years in Germany a “life-changing” experience and said that “although we are leaving Berlin officially, we will never really part ways with Germany. My family and I treasure the friendships and the wonderful experiences we have had and look forward to continued conversations for years to come.” Following his statement, Ambassador Murphy answered questions about his time in Germany, the upcoming visit by President Obama, the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s famous visit to Berlin, and German-American relations.
May 23-24: Ambassador at Large for Trafficking in Persons takes part in Conference in Berlin
Ambassador at Large for Trafficking in Persons Luis CdeBaca with Dr. Birgit Grundmann from the German Justice Ministry
Ambassador at Large for Trafficking in Persons Luis CdeBaca participated in the Consultative Meeting of National Rapporteurs and Equivalent Mechanisms by the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 23-24. On the margins of the conference he had productive bilateral meetings with officials from the Family, Justice, Interior, and Labor Ministries.
May 22: Ambassador Murphy takes part in Christopher Street Day (CSD) press conference
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy — with Berndt Schmidt, Robert Kastl, Botschafter Philip Murphy and Sissy Kraus at Friedrichstadt-Palast.
U.S Ambassador to Germany Philip D. Murphy joined sponsors and supporters of Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations at a press conference on May 22, 2013, at the Friedrichstadt-Palast to announce plans for this year’s parade on June 22.
In his remarks the Ambassador noted that LGBT rights were among the Obama Administration’s top priorities and that the U.S. had demonstrated its commitment to the cause of gay rights by proclaiming June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month every year since the President took office in 2009. Ambassador Murphy reminded the audience that President Obama spoke about the rights of the LGBT community in his Inaugural Address in January of this year - the first time in U.S. history that the issue was raised in a such an august setting. Ambassador Murphy also told the journalists that he looked forward once again to opening the 35th CSD parade in Berlin next month.
Through May 18: Urbanfuse
MICHAEL MEADORS Cheesesandwich
The exhibition “Urbanfuse”, organized by Matthias Bergemann, Janine Biermann and supported by the artist Peter Simon Mühlhäußer, featuring ten young artists will take place April 26th (opening reception) to May 18th 2013 located at the exhibition pavilion in Gertrud-Kolmar-Street 14, Berlin-Mitte towards the U.S. Embassy and beside the Holocaust Memorial. The selected artists of the exhibition consist of five alumni of the New York Academy of Art as well as three students of the Berlin Weissensee School of Art and two alumni. Three of the alumni of the NYAA will have the opportunity to create the artworks for the exhibition during a three months stay in Berlin as artists in residence.
The artworks of the exhibition have developed in the thematic exchange of the students and alumni of the two art academies, influences by New York City and Berlin will be displayed and joined – as an „urban fuse".
