Selected Events
July - December 2008
The Legacy of the Old and the Prospects for the New Administration December 9, 2008. An evening talk show on December 9 at the Düsseldorf Maritim Hotel was the platform for Consul General Matt Boyse to discuss the legacy of the Bush Administration and to expand upon the early steps President-Elect Barack Obama has taken in putting together his government, including his nominations for key cabinet and other positions. Part of the “ Bonne Affaire” talk show series featuring public figures in NRW, the 45-minute public conversation was conducted by Center-TV moderator Sabine Noethen before 60 guests, most of them from business community and media.
Educational Exchange Opportunities Promoted at Dortmund LibraryDecember 9, 2008. On December 9, Educational exchanges specialist Petra Spitz gave a presentation on “Ways to the U.S.” explaining how to organize a high school year abroad, how to apply and how to secure financial aid for studying in America. Spitz also offered information on internships, voluntary work and Au Pair, all at the central public library in Dortmund. This exchanges event was part of the "America@YourLibrary" program with Dortmund public library, which also regularly receives books about the United States from the consulate, including study guides and test preparation books.
The "Hollywood Librarian" on Tour in NRW December 4, 2008. Over 300 librarians enjoyed Ann Seidl’s film “ The Hollywood Librarian” at recent screenings throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. The film provides an engaging and humorous look at librarians through film and is the first full-length documentary film that focuses on the work and lives of librarians. The film is currently on tour throughout Germany and was shown at the annual library convention of the NRW chapter of the German Librarians’ Association in Krefeld on Nov. 24 and at a major public library event in Bielefeld on Dec. 4. It was also used in library science classrooms at Cologne University where future information professionals watched this informative portrait of American librarians as they have been portrayed in the movies.
Elections, Elections, Elections December 3, 2008. In the latest of our ongoing series of election-related events, NRW-based members of the Atlantik Brücke met at the Industrie-Club in Düsseldorf on December 3 to discuss the implications of the November polls for German-American relations. Consul General Matt Boyse led the conversation, which ranged from the issues facing the incoming Obama Administration to early Cabinet level and other key appointments and what their utterances suggest about priorities and policies. The Consul General also used the occasion to stress that now is an excellent time for Germany to be creative and ambitious for its agenda with the incoming government, including by offering more robust support for bilateral and multilateral challenges.
German Interest in U.S. Elections Continues Strong
December 2, 2008. The Kölner Kamin Collegium, the Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft and the Family Business Association (ASU) hosted a discussion evening with Consul General Matt Boyse on December 2 at the Cologne Chamber of Commerce. In his remarks, the Consul General reviewed the achievements of the Bush Administration, commented on the November elections and the early steps President-Elect Obama has taken, and previewed the opportunities and challenges for the German-American agenda in 2009.
Vice Consul at Wesel Thanksgiving Dinner November 27, 2008. Vice Consul Chris Grossman spoke at the annual Wesel-Hagerstown (MD) Sister City organization on Thanksgiving, November 27. Among the 25 guests in the 400-year old room in the Wesel Citadel (used as a prison for seminary students during Napoleon’s occupation) were the Mayor of Wesel and two Rotary exchange students. Grossman reviewed the findings of the “White Paper” on economic and other ties between the U.S. and Germany and explained the significance of the new ESTA requirements for German travellers. In describing the origins of Thanksgiving, he read President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789. Grossman also answered questions about the U.S. elections, the transition to the Obama Administration, and the legacy of President Bush.
U.S. Elections, American Dream Major Topics Of School Outreach This Fall
November 26, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General organized a series of school visits in November, hosted by schools in Essen, Neuss, Cologne, Paderborn, Bonn, Dortmund and Viersen and focusing on the U.S. elections, the American Dream and the Civil Rights Movement. The speakers were Fulbright teaching assistants currently assigned to various schools in North Rhine-Westphalia. The program is an initiative called “Meet US” which is designed to involve young audiences in a dialogue with young and dedicated American exchange teachers.
What Is In Store For Environmental Policy In The New Obama Administration ?
November 19, 2008. On November 19, Georgetown University economist Thomas Brewer engaged audiences in Duesseldorf and Wuppertal on the prospects for climate change and energy policies of the new Administration. At the Institute for European International Economic Relations and the Climate Institute in Wuppertal he reviewed pertinent statements by President-elect Barack Obama on climate change and the environment and gave an assessment of the realistic prospects of getting new legislation approved by Congress. Professor Brewer also gave a background interview on the issues to Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung based in Essen. The visit was an opportunity for his German interlocutors to get n indication from a Washington insider of new directions in U.S. climate change policies.
Ambassador and Mrs. Timken Bid Farewell to NRW
November 18.2008.
At a November 18 dinner in Duesseldorf hosted by the North Rhine-Westphalia chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany, Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr observed that the least appreciated and most misunderstood dimension of the bilateral relationship is its vast and unprecedented, economic interdependence. Drawing from the findings of Mission Germany's' just published study "The German-American Partnership: Benchmarking Success," the Ambassador called our economic ties "the new glue" that binds our countries and urged more people to ensure that this message is more widely known. Their 16th visit to NRW during their 3 1/2 years in Germany, the Timkens return to the United States in early December. | Interview in Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) | Article in WAZ | German-American Partnership: Benchmarking Success (pdf) | more on the German-American Partnership
Honoring the Fallen on Remembrance Day in Viersen November 16, 2008. Leaders of the city of Viersen highlighted the United States for their commemoration of Germany's annual Day of Mourning (Volkstrauertag) November 16. Chief guest Consul General Matt Boyse delivered the main address, praising the practice and culture of remembrance, stressing how former enemies had become allies, global partners, and friends, and noting that the United States and Germany must be prepared for more sacrifice to ensure that our societies continue to enjoy the freedoms and prosperity many take for granted.
Former U.S. President in DuesseldorfNovember 15, 2008. Former President Bill Clinton visited Duesseldorf November 15, speaking before more than 10,000 people at a conference in the ISS Dom Sports Center. He received a rousing welcome for his comments on issues ranging from the financial crisis to the recent U.S. elections to challenges in the developing world. Tracing the origins of the financial crisis to the massive influx of investment capital from around the world in recent decades because of the attractiveness of the U.S. market, he stressed that advanced western economies are all in this together and will recover, but that changes in economic and other behavior will be necessary. He also touched on activities of the Clinton Global Initiative in the developing world, and offered perspectives on what he found most important in a successful life. Consul General Matt Boyse and his wife Eleanore welcomed the former President to the Rhineland at a reception prior to the event. Articles in Rheinische Post | Rheinische Post Photo Gallery
A New Foreign Policy? Implications of the U.S. Presidential Elections November 12 & 13, 2008. During a November 12-13 visit to the Rhineland, Hudson Institute (Washington, DC) political analyst Dr. Richard Weitz discussed the implications for U.S. foreign policy of the U.S. Elections at several events in Bonn and Cologne. At a roundtable discussion at Deutsche Telekom's Bonn HQ, co-sponsored by the Consulate, the Bonn chapter of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and Amerika Haus NRW, Dr. Weitz described ways the incoming Administration may attempt to add impetus to America's relations with Europe, but observed that some policy continuity can be expected. This was also his message at backgrounders with journalists from German National Public Radio (Deutschlandfunk) and West German-TV (WDR) and at an evening panel discussion at Cologne University that drew a crowd of some 250. 'Der Spiegel' Washington correspondent Mark Hujer and German Ambassador to Belgium Professor Reinhard Bettzuege added their perspectives.
“Windows On America” Group Sees U.S. Program As The “Experience Of A Lifetime” November 7, 2008. At a reception on November 7 hosted by the students and teachers of the recently returned “Windows on America” group from Cologne, Consul General Matt Boyse saw for himself that the tour not only markedly improved the students’ English but also gave them new self-confidence and sense of purpose. The students from Henry Ford School told the Consul General that their programs in Washington, DC, Cleveland, Ohio and New York City were “experiences of a lifetime,” singling out the home stay in Cleveland and attendance at Menton High School as highlights. School Principal Dieter Gehringer confirmed the positive impact on his students and again expressed the school’s appreciation for being included in the WoA program.
16th Transatlantic Dialogue On Media Issues In CologneNovember 7, 2008. The 16th Transatlantic Dialogue, arranged by the Media Authority of North-Rhine Westphalia at the Cologne Congress Center on November 7, was dedicated to regulating access to online-games in a Web 2.0 environment. Arranged as part of the international World Cyber Games trade show, the symposium examined effective ways of regulating in particular minors’ access to online-games, a pressing issue in view of the greatly increased variety of games available online. In his speech at the event Consul General Matt Boyse paid tribute to dialogue series as a successful platform engaging European and American experts in an exchange of best practices in dealing with a current media issues.
Center.TV Interview With Consul General On The Elections
November 6, 2008. On November 6, CG Matt Boyse was the guest of Center.TV moderator Sabine Noethen for a 45-minutue special program on the U.S. elections. This interview, part of a popular series of conversations with public personalities from the greater Duesseldorf area, focused on the elections, the legacy of the Bush Administration, and expectations associated with the Obama Administration. It also covered bilateral relations, the image of the United States, as well as the role and the activities of the Consulate General. The interview aired on November 6.
Another Media/Public Event On “USA After The Elections”
November 6, 2008. On November 6, Ulrich Reitz, Chief Editor of the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung in Essen, hosted MdB and leading SPD foreign policy specialist Rolf Muetzenich, Amerika Haus e.V. Director Eveline Metzen, and Consul General Matt Boyse to a public conversation in Muelheim/Ruhr. Before a packed auditorium at the Catholic Academy “ Die Wolfsburg” with more than 200 members of the public, the Consul General joined the other guests giving his comments on the election results and their implications for German-American relations. The discussion provided useful perspectives to the outcome of the U.S. elections.
Celebrating the U.S. 2008 Elections in Duesseldorf
November 5, 2008. A large turnout of VIPs and other guests from across North Rhine-Westphalia along with representatives from more than a dozen electronic and print media organizations packed the Consulate's traditional Election Breakfast on November 5 in Duesseldorf at the NRW Media Authority. Live coverage from American and German TV on large screens, running commentary from “Rheinische Post” Chief Editor Sven Goesmann, as well as U.S. and German experts Cathleen Fisher, John Hulsman, Ulrich von Alemann and others, updated the audience regularly on the results and offered their analyses. Hosts Consul General Matt Boyse, Media Authority Director Norbert Schneider, Steuben-Schurz Association, and Amerika Haus e.V. NRW also engaged the audience throughout the morning and strengthened their contact networks. The Consulate’s most important event of the 2008 election season conveyed a palpable sense of the excitement surrounding the U.S. elections and massive citizen participation in the entire process. * Photo Gallery * Center TV Video * Press coverage Rheinische Post * WDR Mediathek (audio file in German)
Consul General In Series Of Election Interviews
November 4 & 5, 2008.
Responding to numerous requests from regional print and electronic media, Consul General Matt Boyse discussed the 2008 U.S. elections and the results in interviews on November 4 and 5, commenting on the electoral process and its broader implications. In addition, Consul General Boyse spoke at an election party hosted by the Political Science Department of the Technical University in Aachen and was a panelist with MdB Erich Fritz (CDU) and former ARD-TV New York Correspondent Gerald Baars in Dortmund. Interviews appeared on WDR-TV, WDR Radio, Express, SAT 1, Center-TV Duesseldorf, Antenne Duesseldorf, Hitradio 100.5 (which broadcasts to audiences in the German/Belgian/Dutch triborder area), and NRW-TV.
 | | Robin Goldsby in Duesseldorf |
Showcasing American Music TalentOctober 30, 2008.Among the scores of American musicians contributing to the vibrant musical scene in North Rhine-Westphalia is pianist Robin Meloy Goldsby, who charmed 50 guests at a Hauskonzert hosted by Consul General Matt Boyse and his wife Eleanore at their residence in Duesseldorf on October 30. Reading alternately from her autobiographical book “Piano Girl” and playing pieces from her solo recordings, she described with humor and a keen eye for the absurd her path as a background pianist, which took her from Pittsburgh via some of New York’s best hotels to Cologne where she has lived for 14 years. Robin has appeared on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” while her “Songs from the Castle,” a reference to her weekend performances at Schloss Lerbach in Bergisch Gladbach, was nominated for a Grammy.
Discussing the Georgia/Russia Conflict in Dortmund October 28, 2008. On October 28, Prof. Wichard Woyke, University of Muenster, Dr. Richard Kiessler, “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung,” and Consul General Matt Boyse compared German, European and American views on the Georgia/Russia conflict in Dortmund. At the symposium entitled "Return to the Cold War?" organized by the Auslandsgesellschaft North Rhine-Westphalia and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Consul General Boyse stressed that the United States sees the Cold War analogy as inaccurate and undesirable, welcomed EU solidarity with Georgia, and urged Germans to take negative trends in Russian behavior at home and abroad seriously in formulating their views and positions on this issue.
Discussion At Bonn University Examines Varieties Of “Anti-Americanism”October 27, 2008.
Axel Birkenkaemper, author of the study “Against Bush or America? Transatlantic Relations and the German Perception of America,” was the speaker at a program event hosted by the Amerika Haus NRW at Bonn University on October 27. Birkenkaemper explained how a set of negative views of America going back to the 19th century continue to have an impact on the German perception of America today. The author argued for the need for a broad and active bilateral dialogue as a way of correcting longstanding German stereotypes of the United States. U.S. political scientist Jared Sonnicksen offered an American view perspective on the subject arguing that some of the German reservations about America reflect the difficult German path towards greater self-confidence.
Consul General Attends Opening of the Merkez Mosque in Duisburg October 26, 2008.
Consul General was among the guests attending the opening of the magnificent Merkez Mosque in Duisburg on October 26, joining senior Muslim leaders from Germany and Turkey, national and regional German politicians, interfaith representatives, media representatives and the public at this major event. On the occasion, Consul General Boyse congratulated the driving forces behind the project, including Duisburg Lord Mayor Adolf Sauerland, Elif Saat, Mehmet Özay, and Züfisiyah Kaykin, whose cooperation has been lauded as a model nationally.
American Author Night in Cologne October 23, 2008. Two American authors charmed their audience at readings in Cologne on October 23, 2008. Holly Jane Rahlens, the celebrated author of "Prince William, Maximilian Minsky and I" (German Youth Literature Prize 2003), entertained a cheerful crowd of young literature buffs with segments of her latest book ‘Memoirs of an Ex-Cheerleader’ at Cologne’s Literaturhaus. Later that evening, Lydia Davis read from her highly praised new short story collection ‘Varieties of Disturbance’ at a Cologne book store. Davis, a professor of literature from New York State, managed to intrigue her German audience with her famously brief and brilliantly inventive short stories, and her insights into the art of creative writing.
The Transatlantic Partnership and The U.S. 2008 Elections
October 21-22, 2008.
Crister S. Garrett, Director of the Institute for American Studies at Leipzig University, engaged university audiences on the U.S. elections in Bonn and Aachen on October 21-22. Delivering the traditional Columbus Day lecture at Bonn University, he addressed the topic „Sailing into Unchartered Waters? The United States, Russia, and Transatlantic Relations in the context of the 2008 Presidential Election." The next day he presented his lecture at Aachen University and also gave an interview to "Aachener Zeitung." Taking place so closely before Election Day on November 4, Dr. Garrett used the opportunity to provide a current assessment of the key campaign issues and to explore the implications of a new Administration for transatlantic relations.
Ambassador’s Award in American Studies Presented At Bonn University
October 20, 2008. At the opening of the academic year of Bonn University on October 20, the Ambassador’s Award was presented to Lotta Maroscheck for her thesis in North American Studies by Rector Professor Matthias Winiger. Bernd Herbert from the U.S. Consulate participated in the ceremony and congratulated the young scholar on her academic accomplishment. In addition to the award signed by Ambassador Timken, Ms. Maroscheck received a grant that will enable her to do research in the United States. The tradition of awarding the best thesis at Bonn University goes back to 1992 when the U.S. Embassy was still in Bonn. The 2008 prize was awarded to Ms. Maroscheck for her thesis on Aaron McGruder´s cartoon series "The Boondocks."
Celebrating German-American Day In Duisburg
October 19, 2008.
The German-American Friends of the Niederrhein and the American Women’s Club Duesseldorf celebrated German-American Day on October 19 at the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, the 22nd time the group has marked this event since late President Reagan established it in 1987. Students performed German and American music on the occasion, and two exchange students supported by the Federation of German-American Clubs gave presentations of their experiences. Representing the consulate, Bernd Herbert referred to the 325th anniversary of German emigration in America giving examples of the immigrants’ contribution and also lauding the exemplary citizen diplomacy of both organizations.
800 Students Participate In University Exchange Fair In Gelsenkirchen
October 18, 2008.
Petra Spitz from U.S. Consulate in Duesseldorf participated in an exchange fair for high school graduates ("Startschuss Abi") at the Science Park Gelsenkirchen. The event, which was organized by "e-fellows.net," a consortium of Holtzbrink, Telekom and McKinsey and DIE ZEIT, was designed to provide current information on study opportunities in Germany and abroad for students recommended by their teachers from all over NRW. The majority of the participants came by the EducationUSA booth where Petra Spitz provided pertinent information about studying in the U. S., student visa, financial aid, internships and au-pair.
U.S. Army Europe Band Performs For A Good Cause In Lennestadt
October 17, 2008. The U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus gave a concert in Lennestadt-Altenhundem at the invitation of the local hospice association, designed to thank supporters and volunteers for their work on behalf of the hospice. An audience of approx. 800 guests responded with enthusiasm to the concert of the 65 musicians who, directed by Lieutenant Colonel Beth Steele, performed a range of classical works, marches and pop songs highlighted by a rendition of George Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue." The event was part of the U.S. Army Europe Band’s tradition of performing for local communities to strengthen German-American friendship.
American Muslims Engage German Contacts In Dialogue On Integration
October 14-15, 2008. At program events in North Rhine Westphalia on October 14 and 15 four State Department “Citizen Dialogue” delegates engaged with German Muslims in discussions on Muslim identity, integration and education issues. At the NRW Ministry of Integration in Duesseldorf, Mr. Kamel Shrek, Imam Fateen Seifullah, Ms. Amina Makhdoom and Ms. Nadia Sheikh received an overview of the state government’s integration efforts and then travelled to the City of Duisburg where the group visited the newly built Marxloh mosque and exchanged views and experiences with members of the Muslim community. At the offices of Deutsche Welle in Bonn (the German equivalent of VoA) the visitors were interviewed for the website portal quantara.de which is dedicated to Islam and integration issues. A visit to a local mosque in Cologne with discussions and a working breakfast on October 15 at the U.S. Consulate involving Muslim community leaders, government and city officials and educators concluded the visit of the group in NRW. The Citizen Dialogue program is a forum that allows American Muslims to meet with European Muslims to present a genuine view of their lives in America.
Supporting International Education in Duesseldorf
October 7, 2008.
Following the September celebrations surrounding the 40th anniversary of the International School of Duesseldorf (ISD), Consul General Matt Boyse visited School Director Neil McWilliam on October 7 to convey the news that the U.S. State Department's Office of Overseas Schools has awarded the institution another grant. The CG stressed the Consulate's continuing support for ISD and international education more generally in NRW. Founded in 1968 as the American School of Duesseldorf and renamed in 1986, ISD serves the expatriate and international community as well as hundreds of host country families in the Duesseldorf area.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff In Bonn. September 26-28,2008.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff participated in a meeting of G-6 plus the USA Interior Ministers in Bonn September 26-28 hosted by German Federal Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble. Ministers from Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK and the U.S. discussed expanding cooperation in the fight against international terrorism in the legal area, counter-radicalization measures, and strengthening cross-border partnerships. The Bonn conference further strengthened U.S.-German anti-terrorism cooperation. Consulate General Düsseldorf provided logistical support to this important event. >> Photo gallery
U.S. Author Charms Young Readers in Cologne September 25, 2008. U.S. author Todd Strasser popularly known in Germany by his pen name, Morton Rhue, charmed his audience of young readers in Cologne on September 25, 2008. After reading from his latest book “Ghetto Kidz” he took questions and comments from students and teachers on the impact of his books and their powerful themes during a lively discussion. Rhue’s books "The Wave," "Asphalt Tribe" and "Give A Boy A Gun" are popular classroom reading in schools throughout Germany. The reading was part of a two-week book promotion tour organized by his German publisher Ravensburger. The Cologne event was co-sponsored by the Consulate and “Junges Literaturhaus Koeln.”
Continuing Interest In 2008 Election-Related Events September 25, 2008. On September 25, Consul General Matt Boyse led a conversation on "The Battle for the White House and its Effect on U.S.-German Relations" with members of the American Women's Club at the International School Duesseldorf where he discussed the importance of the presidential and vice presidential debates, as well as the oft-neglected elections to the House of Representatives and Senate. On September 29, some 200 people crowded the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cologne to hear Dr. John Hulsman of the German Society on Foreign Relations speak on "Standing at the Turning Point of History: An Outlook on the American Presidential Election." The event, sponsored by the Amerika Haus e.V. North Rhine Westphalia in cooperation with the Otto-Wolff Foundation and the Consulate, was moderated by WDR's Arnd Henze.
Retrospective and Prospective on Iraq
September 22, 2008. Former Commander, Allied Ground Forces in Iraq LtG (ret) Ricardo Sanchez addressed a large group of primarily business representatives at the Industrie Club in Duesseldorf on September 22. Consul General Matt Boyse welcomed Sanchez to the capital of North Rhine Westphalia following an Aspen Institute-sponsored conference near Bonn. In his presentation LtG Sanchez reinforced the message that the situation on the ground in Iraq has improved drastically since his tenure, although it remains fragile. He also provided insights that the U.S. and other nations are able to draw from their experience in Iraq and that are applicable to the engagement by Germany and other states in Afghanistan.
A Photographic Tribute To New York In Aachen
September 19, 2008.
Minister Counselor for Public Affairs Helena Finn from the U.S. Embassy spoke at the opening of the photo exhibition “Arthur Leipzig: Next Stop New York” at the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum in Aachen on September 19. Dr. Finn was able to welcome Arthur Leipzig, who is turning 90 this year, as well as his wife Mimi and daughter Judith and approx. 300 guests at the opening where she paid tribute to this extraordinary photographer. The photos in the exhibit document New York in the 1940s and 1950s. In her remarks, Dr. Finn also recalled the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York on September 11, 2001. As part of her visit in Aachen, Dr. Finn also met with representatives of the city and the cultural community and the Aachen-Arlington sister city partnership.
Vocational Training In The U.S. And Germany
September 18, 2008.
The consulate hosted a briefing/discussion on September 18 for a group of teachers from the Atlanta Technical College and their German hosts from the Detmold Vocational College (Berufskolleg). The visit by the American educators marked the 10th anniversary of this professional exchange program which provides a forum for regular discussions of new approaches to vocational training. Consul General Matt Boyse, who had attended a conference on vocational training in Detmold earlier this year, wished the American educators an interesting and rewarding visit in Germany.
Twenty Years Of Cologne-Indianapolis PartnershipSeptember 14, 2008.
At a special event commemorating the establishment of the Cologne-Indianapolis sister city partnership at the Cologne Filmhaus on September 14, CG Matt Boyse expressed the Consulate’s appreciation for the role this private-public partnership plays in building bridges as well as the many exchanges, including charitable activities, it has organized. Committee Chair and former SPD MdB Volkmar Schultz praised the city's excellent relationship with Indianapolis and expressed confidence in the program's future. A 25-member citizen/business delegation will travel to Indianapolis this fall.
Discussion Of Key Issues In The 2008 Elections In Bruehl September 11, 2008.Bernd Herbert from the U.S. Consulate General in Duesseldorf reviewed major themes and issues in the 2008 elections campaign at a lecture/discussion event at the Public Administration College in Bruehl. Addressing a group of junior civil servants on the U.S., Herbert compared the domestic and foreign policy positions of the two candidates and examined the dynamics of the final phase of the campaign. This program, which took place on September 11, was also an occasion to recall the terrorist attacks seven years ago and to discuss their continuing impact on U.S. foreign policy.
Commemorating 9/11 in NRW September 11, 2008.
On the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington, CG Matt Boyse participated in an interfaith event at the Reinoldi Church in Dortmund together with Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders. He also delivered remarks at a large gathering of law enforcement officers in Duesseldorf, which included a minute of silence, highlighting the role they play in protecting the civilian population. In view of recent media reports suggesting that as much as 1/3 of the German population does not believe Al-Qaeda was behind the attacks, the CG stressed the need for continuing education and dialogue. By commemorating the anniversary of 9/11 with both religious and law enforcement groups, the CG reinforced the importance of both of these dimensions in efforts to combat religious extremism and terrorism.
An Idea Becomes A Major InstitutionSeptember 10, 2008.
Trustees and parents from the International School of Duesseldorf (ISD) convened on September 10 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the school's founding in 1968, when Mrs. Evelyn Zivetz, the wife of retired Foreign Service Officer Hank Zivetz, opened the American School of Duesseldorf (ASD). Convinced that the Duesseldorf area needed an international school, Mrs. Zivetz spearheaded an effort that began with 32 pupils in two rooms above the former British Commissary. ISD now educates some 980 pupils from 52 nations in a spacious, modern campus. In 1986, ASD was renamed ISD and is now the largest such institution in the lower Rhine area, serving both expatriates and Germans. ISD Board Member (ex-officio) CG Matt Boyse awarded Mrs. And Mr. Zivetz a plaque from the European Council of International Schools thanking them for their vision and engagement.
"Young Americans" In Duesseldorf: Making Friends With Music And Dance
September 9, 2008.
On September 9, the entire student body of the Freiherr vom Stein Realschule in Duesseldorf performed an evening of American music and dance under the leadership of the "Young Americans," a California-based group of cultural ambassadors from across the U.S. The 54 members of this travelling troupe descended upon the school and worked with all the students for three days, transforming their largely untrained talent into a rousing performance with enthusiastic audience participation. Consul General Matt Boyse welcomed the group, whose program was supported by the U.S.-based firm PwC, and expressed appreciation for their engagement in building bridges between American and German societies.
Welcoming New Fulbrighters In Altenberg
September 9, 2008.
On September 9, Consul General Matt Boyse welcomed 140 newly-arrived young Americans who will be working as Fulbright Teaching Assistants for one year at secondary schools all over Germany in Altenberg outside Cologne. Mr. Boyse assured the junior ambassadors of consular support for their important work and invited them to actively participate in the consulates’ 'Meet US' school outreach program. The U.S. consulate has become a regular partner in the annual Fulbright orientation seminar, building rapport with the new teachers and lending support to this long-established bilateral exchange program.
U.S. Politics Today
September 4, 2008.
On September 4, some 70 students in the last year of Gymnasium joined Consul General Matt Boyse in a discussion of current politics in America at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's National Training Center in Wesseling, betweeen Bonn and Cologne. In view of the enormous interest in Germany in the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign and the often patchy knowledge of important policy and other details, the CG urged the students to consult the vast, up-to-date and varied resources available in English on the Internet to obtain more complete and more nuanced views of the race, the candidates and their views on key issues. The CG also explained U.S. views on such issues as the crisis in Georgia, relations with Russia, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and German-American relations.
Update on U.S. Elections
September 3, 2008.
U.S. political scientist and elections expert Stephen Wayne from Georgetown University discussed the upcoming U.S. elections with politicians, political analysts and journalists during his visit on September 3. At a roundtable in Duesseldorf and a lecture/discussion program at the WAZ School of Journalism in Essen, Wayne analyzed the intricacies of the electoral system and assessed the issues and options impacting the outcome. The discussions focused on the role of the media in the election campaign and the likely impact of a new Administration on the transatlantic relationship. >> Guide to the U.S. Elections
Gesamtschule Herten Dedicated to Rosa Parks
September 5, 2008.
At a special ceremony on September 5, the Gesamtschule Herten was named "Rosa Parks Schule" in honor of the American civil rights activist. In their speeches Mayor Dr. Uli Paetzel and school principal Ludger Mueller paid tribute to the courage of Rosa Parks in advancing equal rights in the United States. The students of the school, who had selected the new name, offered much-applauded cultural performances during the opening with song and dance. Representing the U.S. Consulate, Jutta Tatzelt congratulated the students and teachers on their initiative and presented a set of teaching materials for the Rosa Parks library.
Neuss und the U.S.: Partnership in Top Hat and Tails
August 31, 2008..
Following a colorful tradition that stretches back to the 15th century, some 6,500 persons from across Germany and from all walks of life marched through the streets of Neuss on August 31 in the country's largest "Schuetzenfest." Among the three guests of honor this year was Consul General Matt Boyse, who at the end of the day-long festivities joined MdB Hermann Grohe (CDU) and others in a carriage ride through city streets thronged with tens of thousands of onlookers. The invitation by Neuss city elders to be an honored guest reflects the close cooperation between the U.S. and the Neuss region. NGZ Online Photo gallery
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Ambassador Timken Welcomes Old And New Participants In "Windows On America" Exchange Program
August 27, 2008.
Ambassador Timken and Mrs. Sue Timken welcomed old and new participants in the "Windows on America" (WoA) exchange program at a reception hosted by Consul General Matt Boyse at his residence on August 27. Students from the first WoA group from Duesseldorf shared impressions from their two-week program with students from the Henry Ford School in Cologne and related the positive impact the program has had on their lives. The Cologne group will be on their way to America in early October. Ambassador Timken and Consul General Boyse also thanked the sponsors of the exchange for their generous contributions and discussed the program with the other guests, including government officials, community leaders and representatives of Muslim organizations. Angela C. Dregger, Board member of the Windows on America Association, said that with additional contributions the exchange program was well-set to send many more students with migrant backgrounds to the United States. (more..)
Reception For American Dancers At The International Dance Festival In Duesseldorf
August 26, 2008.
Consul General Matt Boyse hosted a reception for American dancers, their German hosts and representatives of the cultural community at his residence on August 26, on the eve of the start of the "International Dance Festival" in Duesseldorf (Aug. 27-30). In his opening remarks Consul General Boyse welcomed the dancers noting the consulate’s support for transatlantic cultural and artistic activities. Among the guests were Anke Brunn, President of the German Association of Contemporary Dance and the Director of Dance at the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts, Douglas Sonntag, who described the Festival as a great opportunity to introduce new American dance companies to a larger German and international audience.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
August 23, 2008.
The 2008 major league baseball season semifinals ended on August 23 with a victory by the Regensburg Legionaires over the Solingen Alligators. Consul General Matt Boyse threw out the first ball in Solingen before an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of fans, many of whom had traveled from across Germany to watch the game. The atmosphere was comparable to that in the U.S., complete with hamburger sales and the Seventh Inning Stretch. Some 20,000 people play baseball competitively in one of the many regional and national leagues in Germany.
Talking Trade And Investment In Westphalia
August 22, 2008.
During an August 22 visit to Bielefeld and Detmold, Consul General Matt Boyse discussed current trade and investment issues with President Ortwin Goldbeck and leading members of the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) in Eastern Westphalia. The Consul General described the vast economic and commercial linkages between North Rhine Westphalia and the United States, noting that with a few important exceptions U.S. investors are concentrated in other parts of the state and encouraging IHK leaders to seek investment from U.S. firms. He welcomed the "USA Day" planned for 2009 and pledged the Consulate’s assistance.
Another Congress-Bundestag Exchange Year Begins
August 21, 2008.
The 24 American participants in the 2008/2009 Congress-Bundestag Exchange (CBYX) Program arrived in Germany in early July and are preparing to begin their educational and internship activities for the academic year. Consul General Matt Boyse welcomed the students, most of whom are taking a "gap year" between high school and college, at their initiation seminar organized by the Akademie für Internationale Bildung in Bonn on August 21 on behalf of the exchange organization Open Door International e.V. The CBYX program also sends German students to the United States. (more..)
High School Graduates Examine America’s Role As A Global Leader
August 12, 2008.
Bernd Herbert from the U.S. Consulate General in Duesseldorf discussed the role and responsibility of the U.S. as a global leader with 90 German high school students from all over Germany on August 12, as part of a five-day seminar hosted by the Adenauer Foundation at Schloss Eichholz in Wesseling. The seminar allowed them to focus on the multifaceted transatlantic relationship. Discussion mainly focused on the conduct of, and rationale behind, U.S. foreign policy. The students’ high expectations of America as a global leader led them to pose challenging questions. (more..)
Cologne Student Visits America as "Benjamin Franklin Fellow"
August 6, 2008.
17-year old Cologne high school student Patricia Weykopf recently returned from a three-week visit in the United States, after successfully applying for a Benjamin Franklin fellowship earlier this year. Named in honor of America's first diplomat, the Franklin fellowship is offered by the U.S. Department of State to students from Europe and Eurasia who demonstrate a particular interest in U.S.-European relations. Based on the campus of Wake Forest University, North Carolina, Patricia’s program included seminars, workshops and also home hospitality, with additional travels to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. On August 6, a reporter from Cologne daily "Koelnische Rundschau" interviewed Patricia Weykopf about her experience in the U.S. (more..)
Educational Information Fair for Students in Wuppertal
July 10, 2008.
On July 10, EducationUSA Germany participated in the 5th annual "Go Out" educational information fair at Bergische Universität Wuppertal. About 200 students attended this event in the courtyard of the main university building, where educational information specialist Petra Spitz from the Consulate General Düsseldorf gave a presentation on study opportunities in the United States and answered detailed questions at the USA booth. On the occasion, the International Office of the University also received new sets of information booklets "If you want to study in the United States" for their reference collection. (more..)
University of New Mexico Opens Summer School in NRW
July 8, 2008.
The University of New Mexico's International Studies Institute opened its "Europe, Germany and the Americans Summer 2008" program at the magnificent water castle Schloss Dyck near Neuss on July 8, with the first 12 American participants. County Commissioner Dieter Patt welcomed the students and faculty from Albuquerque to the program, which he conceived and has spearheaded in cooperation with the University of Bonn's International Office and local partner institutions. Consul General Matt Boyse also gave the group a warm welcome, stressing that the course offers outstanding opportunities to become familiar with contemporary Germany and its role in the EU, and observing how the program mirrors many others that see student exchange programs as an effective means to further understanding between Germans and Americans. (more..)
Steuben Schurz Society Celebrates Independence Day
July 5, 2008.
Some 150 guests attended the annual Independence Day celebration hosted by the Steuben Schurz Society, the American Women's Club of Duesseldorf, and the Consulate General in Duesseldorf on July 5. John Meyer from the Steuben Schurz Society Duesseldorf and AWCD President Dr. Susanne Hirschberg gave updates of their group's activities. Consul General Matt Boyse gave a personal account of the opening of the new U.S. Embassy at Pariser Platz next to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin the previous evening. He also noted that many guests related how strongly they had been moved by participating in this historic event. The CG used the opportunity to recall former President George H.W. Bush’s critical role in German unification and to highlight the historic and political significance of the grand opening. (more..)
Consul General "Sent Packing" At New QVC Center
July 1, 2008.
On July 1, Minister President Juergen Ruettgers joined QVC CEO Ulrich Flatten, Formula 1 star and entrepreneur Nikki Lauda, Consul General Matt Boyse and others in opening a new 45 million euro center in Hueckelhoven to expand shipping and logistics for the teleshopping firm’s Germany operations. Dr. Ruettgers and the other guests also spent some time at the assembly line packing items for shipment. After beginning its German operations in 1996, QVC has become a major success story, now employing more than 3500 persons in country, primarily in NRW. Company executives thanked the NRW Media Authority, represented by its Vice-President Juergen Brautmeier, for its pioneering role in changing legislation and the regulatory environment to open the German market to this innovative sales platform. (more..)
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Consul General
Programs and Events
Selected Events July - Dec. 2009
Selected Events Jan. - June 2009
Selected Events July - Dec. 2008
Selected Events Jan. - June 2008
Selected Events 2007
Selected Events 2006
Selected Events 2005
Selected Events 2004
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