speeches
Window on America
Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr.
Duesseldorf
June 20, 2006
Thank you, Consul General George Knowles. I know how much this new program, “Windows on America” means to you. The idea for this program started last fall when your wife introduced my wife Sue to Johanna Kaup. They talked about Johanna’s students and about how much it would mean to them to visit America. Today, a few short months later, that dream is coming true. I congratulate the dreamers and especially the dream-makers. The dream-makers are Sue, and you, George, and your wife Gayle, the exchanges staff at the Embassy in Berlin, and the corporate sponsors who understood why making an American dream like this come true is so important. This could not have been accomplished without your combined initiative and drive. This is a real public-private initiative and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their generous support. They include:
ARAG
Cerberus Deutschland
Citibank Deutschland
Delta Air Lines
Ernst & Young
Procter & Gamble
Steuben-Schurz Düsseldorf
3M Deutschland
Thyssen-Krupp
Thank you very much for your commitment to “Windows on America”. This is one of a number of significant new partnerships that we are forging with the private sector in the area of exchange programs. Your support enables us to expand our public diplomacy initiatives. It also makes good business sense. When I was in the private sector, I learned that developing multiple points of positive connection between people is a sure strategy to ensuring that partners not lose sight of common goals, especially in times like these of unprecedented global challenge.
One of the best ways to solidify common goals is through people-to-people exchange programs. Time and time again, we hear how exchange experiences can change perspectives – and change lives. I recall reading a comment by an American exchange student whose family was not wealthy. She had to work hard to earn the opportunity to participate in a foreign study exchange program in Mexico. This is what she said about her experience: "I learned not to limit my thinking." Isn’t that what we all want for our children? We want to open minds, to foster debate and dialogue, and to encourage the pursuit of knowledge. Our goal with this program is to educate the next generation of Germans about the U.S. and address misperceptions that may exist. After all, young people are the future of our partnership. That is why we think it is important to provide educational and exchange opportunities to a broader and more diverse segment of young people, including minorities and those from less financially advantaged backgrounds.
This is only the first group in Mission Germany’s new “Windows on America” initiative. These ten young men and women will have the opportunity to experience first-hand school and family life in the U.S. We hope that when they get off the plane in the U.S. some 8 hours from now, it will be the beginning of an experience they will never forget. Have a great trip! Thanks again to all those who helped make it happen.
As prepared for delivery.
