The American Council on Germany established its network of Eric M. Warburg Chapters to promote a greater understanding of German and European affairs beyond the business community in New York and the policy community in Washington, D.C. and to enhance the positive impact the transatlantic relationship has in local communities across the United States.
Named after ACG founder and longtime Treasurer Eric M. Warburg, the Warburg Chapters were launched in 1992 to offer ACG members and the general public across the United States with a dynamic forum for German and American government officials, journalists, policy analysts, academics and students, business and civil society representatives and other professional practitioners to engage with one another to discuss economic, political, and social issues on the transatlantic agenda. In addition, Warburg Chapters provide opportunities to examine how German-American relations on trade, foreign policy, and defense, to name just a few, impact the local community. Programming in Warburg Chapters also focuses on German politics, policies, and practices on a range of issues, such as sustainable urban development, immigration and integration, workforce preparedness, technological change, and entrepreneurship, that enables an exchange of ideas and sharing of best practices to common challenges facing local communities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Today the network of 21 chapters across the country is a vital component to the ongoing work of the American Council on Germany. Through the Warburg Chapters, the ACG engages not only those already interested in Germany, but also strives to expand the community of individuals that have an awareness and understanding of German-American affairs.
In cooperation with local partner organizations, including German Consulates and honorary consuls, German American Chambers of Commerce, Goethe-Instituts, World Affairs Councils, and other local community institutions, through its Warburg Chapters the ACG offers a variety of activities:
- Policy discussions and conferences, ranging from small group discussions to gatherings of more than 100 people, on current pertinent topics in transatlantic relations with visiting speakers from Germany or American experts on Germany;
- Hosting delegations of German policymakers and practitioners examining American strategies and approaches to common transatlantic challenges;
- Local programming for students in high schools and universities
Through the Warburg Chapters, the ACG convenes more than 100 events annually, exposing a broad audience across sectors and generations with deep and nuanced insights about developments in Germany, Europe, and around the world – and how they impact the transatlantic partnership and communities across the United States.
Origins of the Warburg Chapters
After the death of one of the ACG’s founders and long-serving treasurer, Eric M. Warburg, in 1990, the Council established Eric M. Warburg Chapters in cities across the United States as a lasting memorial to his steadfast commitment to promote transatlantic ties. Lionel Pincus, a business associate of Mr. Warburg’s, provided the initial funding for these Chapters.
The number of Chapters has grown to 21 in 18 states. Each Chapter is unique, but they all have tremendous convening power in the communities they serve. Through a variety of events and activities, the Chapters provide fora for the discussion of the most pressing issues on the transatlantic agenda. As the ACG’s outreach has grown through the years, the Chapters have reached thousands of Americans across the country.