Virtual Discussions

The corona crisis is affecting almost every aspect of civil society. It is having an impact on individuals, families, and organizations – with long-lasting reverberations for the institutions that shape civil society. Against the backdrop of simultaneous public health and economic crises, there are calls for greater social equity. What does civil society need to...

On July 1, Germany will assume the six-month rotating Presidency of the European Council. Germany takes on this role at a critical juncture for the European Union. The public health and economic implications of the corona crisis, Brexit and European cohesion, and the state of the transatlantic relationship are only some of the issues on...

Social distancing requirements have abruptly put a halt to most cultural events. While museums and libraries in some communities in the United States and in Europe slowly start to re-open, concerts, performances, and many other cultural events are being cancelled for the rest of the year. How can cultural institutions survive under such circumstances –...

ournalism and the media play an indispensable role in democracies – especially in times of crisis. How can journalists keep the public informed about the world around them in the midst of a lock-down and with social distancing in place? How can they gather information for their reporting and opinion pieces? And, how does one...

The American Council on Germany is delighted to partner with the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Townhall to host a conversation with ACG Chairman Ambassador John B. Emerson, Vice Chairman at Capital Group International, and former ACG President William M. Drozdiak, nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution’s Center on the United States and Europe and a senior advisor...

Under the auspices of Deutschlandjahr USA 2018/19, the American Council on Germany and the Heidelberg University Association partnered to hold a series of in-person “Heidelberg Lectures.” Over the next few months, we plan to continue this collaboration in an online format as part of WunderbarTogether 2020. We hope you can join us on Friday, July 17 at...

After  days and nights of negotiations at the longest EU Summit in 20 years, European leaders announced that they had reached agreement regarding a $857 billion pandemic recovery plan. Leaving perhaps her final mark on the European Union, Chancellor Angela Merkel was instrumental in achieving European consensus regarding this new plan.   Join us Thursday, July...

After Germany's first confirmed COVID-19 case was documented near Munich, Bavaria was forced to take up the fight against the pandemic. Confronted with high infection rates and located in close proximity to Austria and northern Italy, Bavaria had to act swiftly to prevent a health care disaster. But, as the chair of the Ministers-President Conference,...

Late last week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a controversial speech about engagement with China in the past, present, and future – and called upon democratic and free societies to stand up to an increasingly authoritarian and internationally assertive China. Europe has been directly – and indirectly – affected by increasing rivalry between...