The first conversation between German politicians and US students took place at the beginning of May and was a remarkable success. Led by the Goethe-Institut Washington, around 50 students from Stuyvesant High School in New York had the unique opportunity to speak directly with a member of the German Bundestag, Mr. Otto Fricke. Through a live Zoom call, they asked a variety of questions ranging from personal questions about their political careers to current political challenges.
One question was particularly interesting, focusing on future cooperation between the US and Germany: “How can young people help strengthen the transatlantic dialog and usher in a new era of cooperation between our countries?” In his response, Mr. Fricke emphasized that the active participation of young people is crucial to keeping the transatlantic dialogue alive and bringing in new perspectives. He encouraged the students to remain interested in political issues and to actively participate in shaping transatlantic relations.
Mr. Fricke was very positive after the transatlantic discussion and emphasized the importance of such dialogues for the future of transatlantic relations. He praised the students' commitment and emphasized the relevance of their questions for the political discussion. A student from Stuyvesant High School was also convinced of the significance of this encounter and emphasized the importance of such transatlantic dialogues for his generation. “It was inspiring to engage directly with a German politician and discuss important issues that affect both our countries,” he said. “Such conversations open up new perspectives and help to strengthen understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.”
Rebecca Lindemulder, PASCH teacher at Stuyvesant High School, reported, “It was an intense experience, but also extremely rewarding,” Ms. Lindemulder said. “The students showed exceptional interest in the discussions and asked smart questions that enriched the conversation.”
The Goethe-Institut is planning more conversations with German politicians leading up to the election and looks forward to the positive momentum these conversations will provide for German language learners in the United States. Interested in joining a conversation this fall? Please complete this short form:
https://forms.office.com/e/82q11UteyP