political salon: promoting dialogue across generations. This series brings together a diverse group of younger and mid-career professionals for informal, open discussions on a range of current political, economic, and social topics in an increasingly interconnected global environment – with an emphasis on issues of concern for the transatlantic agenda. Speakers share brief remarks and engage in a dynamic discussion with participants. Each salon includes refreshments and networking opportunities.
2018
September 13
“Authoritarianism, Populism, and Challenges to Democracy: A German Perspective”
Annalena Baerbock, Co-Chair of Alliance 90/The Greens and Member of the Bundestag
July 17
“Planning for the Future: Current Environmental Challenges Facing Germany”
Klaus Mindrup, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD)
May 30
“Media in a Society in Crisis: How Can Media Serve as a Control on Power and as a Social Adhesive?”
Peter Weissenburger, Editor for der Tageszeitung (2017 Kellen Fellow
2017
November 2
“Polarization, Populism, and Politics in Germany and the United States: A Comparative Analysis”
Christopher Cermak, Editor at Handelsblatt Global
June 14
“Understanding the Global World of Jihad”
Souad Mekhennet, Washington Post Correspondent and Author of I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad
June 6
“German Approaches to Crisis Prevention and the Marshall Plan for Africa”
Thorsten Frei, Member of the Bundestag (CDU/CSU)
May 4
“Taking on Development Policies in Light of Today’s Challenges: Germany, the United Nations, and Multilateral Organizations”
Matthias Meis, Political Analyst in the Strategic Planning Department of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
January 12
“Is TTIP Dead? The Future of Transatlantic Trade”
Simon Book (2016 ACG Kellen Fellow), Journalist with WirtschaftsWoche
2016
December 5
“A New Era for Transatlantic Business? A New President and Clashes in the Digital Age”
Heidi Tworek, Fellow at the Transatlantic Academy
November 29
“The Future of NATO: Germany’s New Role in International Security”
Patrick Keller, Coordinator for Foreign and Security Policy at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
November 14
“What Do the U.S. Elections Mean for Transatlantic Relations and for the Future of the West?”
Ralf Fuecks, President of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
September 21
“The Rise of Populism in the U.S. and in Germany – and How to Address It”
Michael Kellner, Secretary General of Alliance 90/The Greens
June 27
“Obama’s Foreign Policy Legacy, the Challenges for the Next President, and What It Means for Europe”
Derek Chollet, Counselor and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Policy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States
May 4
“The German Dilemma: Merkel, Refugees, and the Rise of the Far Right”
Ali Aslan (2010 Young Leader), Journalist and Television Host
March 2
“Do Americans ‘Get Out the Vote’ Better Than Germans?”
Bundestag Members Metin Hakverdi and Michelle Müntefering (SPD)
2015
December 9
“Refugees, Islamophobia, and the Fallacies of Addressing Terror Threats Through Immigration Policy”
Kavitha Rajagopalan (2004 ACG McCloy Fellow in Journalism), Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and at the World Policy Institute, and Author of Muslims of Metropolis
November 3
“Nein. Quarterly: Disrupting the Assumptions of German Language and Humor”
Eric Jarosinski (2003 ACG Hunt Fellow), Author of Nein. A Manifesto and Founding Editor of Nein. Quarterly
October 5
“The American Dream – A Dream Turned German: Refugees, Migration, Integration, Citizenship”
Jagoda Marinić, Founder of the Intercultural Center in Heidelberg
September 1
“Silicon Valley vs. Berlin: Understanding Differing Environments for Innovations”
Joshua Cohen, Entrepreneur, Startup Adviser, and Innovation Consultant
July 29
“Google vs. Europe: What Happens When U.S. Internet Companies Clash with European Laws?”
Johannes Gernert (2014 ACG Kellen Fellow), Editor for Die Tageszeitung
July 8
“Are We All Going to Die? The Foreign and Security Policy Implications of Energy and Climate Change”
R. Andreas Kraemer, Founder and Director Emeritus of Ecologic Institute