Meet a Bundestag Member: German Politics Today - Elisabeth Kaiser

Meet a Bundestag Member: German Politics Today

Background

The American Council on Germany (ACG), the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), and the German Studies Association (GSA) have launched a new virtual series, Meet a Bundestag Member: German Politics Today. The series offers students of German language and culture the chance to engage directly with members of the German Bundestag on timely political issues while practicing their German language skills.

The second session will take place on November 20 at 11:00 AM ET and will feature Elisabeth Kaiser, Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany and Member of the Bundestag, who will join ACG President Dr. Steven E. Sokol for a 45-minute moderated discussion — held in German — on the history, significance, and ongoing legacy of German reunification, incorporating questions posed by the audience.

The reunification of Germany marked a pivotal moment in European history, ending decades of division and reshaping the political, economic, and social landscape of the country. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities that arose during the reunification process, the enduring impact on Germany’s domestic and foreign policy, and the lessons it offers for democratic societies navigating periods of transformation.

Following each event, the conversations will also be released as podcasts, making them easily accessible for members, students, and educators to use in the classroom.

Goal:

The American Council on Germany (ACG), the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), and the German Studies Association (GSA) have collaborated sporadically over the years and are now jointly collaborating on a program to promote the value of the German-American partnership and reach a wider collective audience.

The three organizations are introducing a new virtual series entitled “German Politics Today: Meet a Bundestag Member” that would consist of three ACG-moderated discussions, in German, with members of the German Bundestag on issues ranging from the transatlantic relationship and German reunification to citizen engagement. The goal of the series is to engage younger Americans enrolled in German language programs and other German studies students, to inform them about current issues in Germany, and to give them an opportunity to utilize their German listening, writing, and speaking skills as part of their German language courses in high school and college.

Series Description

The series will begin in September with subsequent discussions taking place every 4-8 weeks until the end of the year. Each MdB Conversation will be 45 minutes in length and will take place using Zoom. The format will be a moderated conversation between ACG President Dr. Steven E. Sokol and the invited MdB (perhaps two) for approximately 25-30 minutes. Dr. Sokol will incorporate pre-submitted questions and those posted in the Q&A into the conversation, giving students and other attendees an opportunity to actively engage with the Bundestag member(s). The sessions will begin at 11 AM ET.

The ACG will invite a diverse range of MdBs representing the political parties in the Bundestag. Each session will focus on a timely and relevant topic:

· Session 1 – Transatlantic Relationship

· Session 2 – German Reunification

· Session 3 – Citizen Engagement

ACG, AATG and GSA members, and their students, will be invited to the MdB Conversations and will have the opportunity to watch live and participate in the discussion. The sessions will also be recorded and available for viewing on all organizations’ websites. Additionally, each conversation will be made into a podcast which will be available to each organization’s respective memberships and available to German teachers and professors to use as part of their lessons, such as for German listening comprehension and writing assignments.

Outcomes and Learning Objectives

· Improve students’ listening comprehension and conversational skills in German

· Deepen understanding of contemporary German political issues

· Strengthen interest in transatlantic dialogue and democratic participation

· Foster intercultural competence through direct engagement