Fulbright Day: Germany

Fulbright Germany is pleased to join with the wide array of global Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program with two events on October 6 that reflect the transatlantic bonds – from individual to binational - created and maintained by the program.

The first is Meet-a-German, for which Germans or Americans with first-hand experience of German culture – many of them Fulbrighters - join about 200 primary and secondary schools across the US for fun and interactive sessions on contemporary Germany. Initiated in 2018 as part of Wunderbar Together, gatherings will take place via video conference and in-person, where possible. In cooperation with the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), Fulbright Germany offers this opportunity for speakers to become “citizen ambassadors” at local schools throughout the U.S., while thousands of students can “meet a German” on October 6, when the U.S. marks German-American Day and shortly after Germany celebrates its National Unity Day.

The second event is a hybrid panel discussion, live-streamed internationally and entitled “The Fulbright Network: Strengthening Collective Action on Complex Global Issues.” As we mark a significant Fulbright anniversary, yet face daunting challenges - from the coronavirus pandemic to looming climate crisis - we ask what particular contribution Fulbrighters can make to cope with and solve them. The panel will explore and offer concrete ways to facilitate cooperation among local, regional and international leaders across the public, private and nongovernmental sectors; point to paths for rebuilding trust in expertise and institutions, including science, higher education, and media; and share stories of success in strengthening leadership for environmental and social justice. The event will debut our new Executive Director, Dr. Cathleen Fisher, who will moderate the panel to feature new transatlantic voices from the Fulbright Germany network.

The livestream will be at 5:30-7:00 pm Germany time (CET) and will be available via the Fulbright Germany YouTube channel and via this direct link. Please note that the event will not be streamed with real-time captions. A video recording of the panel will subsequently be embedded on the Fulbright Day: Germany page here.

The Fulbright Network: Strengthening Collective Action on Complex Global Issues

With opening remarks by Board Chairs, Elizabeth Horst (U.S. Embassy) and Vito Cecere (Federal Foreign Office), we are thrilled to engage with you and our Fulbright alumni panel: 

• Mirja Fiedler (US University Grantee 2004/2005) – an anchor, correspondent and head of newsroom for German public broadcasters. She is a journalist working for the main TV news programs at NDR in Hamburg, covering the five northern states and world news. She is also reporting for the daily German national television news programs at ARD.
• Deeneaus “D” Polk (English Teaching Assistant, 2011/2012) – a former Cheng Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School who wishes to create a more diverse and equitable future workforce – and generally uplift communities - through 3LEVATE, a talent development solution. He has also served as Director of the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP), where he worked to expand apprenticeships in the state based on research he did on the German vocational education training system as a German Chancellor Fellow.
• Prof. Dr. Paul Arthur Berkman (Fulbright Distinguished Scholar 2009) Fulbright Norway Arctic Chair 2021/22 – a science diplomat applying, training and refining informed decision-making to balance national interests and common interests for the benefit of all on Earth across generations. He is an internationally-renowned explorer, educator and author who has made significant contributions to the sustainable development of our world during the past three decades.

On the agenda: how do we carry the transatlantic relationship into the future with collective action, including at the subnational and civil society level, on global challenges such as climate change, the erosion of trust in expertise and the media, and the creation of a more just and equitable society?

Connect with Fulbright to learn more about the activities planned for Germany's Fulbright Day. Find more information on past and future Fulbright Days here.