Diplomats from the German and French embassies in Washington, D.C., will present a lecture, “The European Union: French and German Relations within the Union,” at 3 p.m. Nov. 7 in Sydnor Performance Hall.
Hans-Ulrich von Schroeter , U.S.A. Deputy Director of the German Information Center at the German Embassy , and Nicolas Thiriet, Foreign Affairs Counselor and Counselor for European and Eurasian Affairs at the French Embassy, will discuss major issues facing the European Union at this particular time in history. The lecture will kick off the College’s German Week, “Do Deutsch,” November 7-11 and is free and open to the public.
Von Schroeter began his German Foreign Service career in 1996, first as a Desk Officer for Turkey in Bonn and later as Cultural Attaché at the German Consulate General in São Paulo, Brazil. Other positions include Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Luanda, Angola; and service in the Development Assistance Department of the German Foreign Office in Berlin. He assumed his current position in July 2009.
Before coming to Washington, Thiriet served as First Secretary at France’s Permanent Delegation to the European Union, Brussels, 2006-2010. Previously he held posts at the National Education Ministry, the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and the Foreign Ministry’s Central Administration (Asia and Oceania). He also served as auditor at the Institut diplomatique.
“Do Deutsch” is a campaign sponsored by the German Embassy at 50 universities in the United States to promote German language and culture. During the week students will participate in activities and contests for essay writing, speech, film/video production, visual arts, and song writing. LC winners will receive prizes and can take part in nationwide finals where the national champions will receive rewards, including trips to Berlin.
Other German Week activities include:
- German movie night on November 9 at 7:30 p.m., and
- German Gala Night at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Both events will be held in Hopwood Auditorium and are open to the public.