i. annual conference on germany in the modern...

I. Annual Conference on

Germany in the Modern WorldHarvard University | April 11 - 12 2008Perspec�ves on Foreign Policy, Business and Society

CONFERENCE REPORT

Conference on Germany in the Modern WorldHarvard University | April 11 - 12 2008

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With this conference report we would like thank all those who helped in various ways to make the first Conference on Germany in the Modern World at Harvard happen: the speakers and panelists, our sponsors and supporters as well as members of the extended organizing team and other helping hands at Harvard University and beyond. We would especially like to thank our advisor Professor Karl Kaiser, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, German Consul General Wolfgang Vorwerk, Almut Wieland-Karimi of the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation and Annette Heuser of the Bertelsmann Foundation. e Conference would not have been possible without them and we are truly grateful for their support.

We would also like to thank the participants of the Conference for their attendance, their stimulating questions and interesting discussions. Moreover, this report aims to convey impressions of our 2008 Conference to a wider audience, especially to those who could not attend.

It was our intention to promote German-American understanding through an entirely student-organized conference that brings together experts on modern Germany with students, scholars, and the interested public at Harvard to discuss differences and similarities between Germany and the United States. We hope the events from April 11th and 12th contributed to sustaining and improving the long-standing and constructive relationship between Germany and the United States.

In the spring of 2007 this year’s conference was first envisioned and as of June 2008, preparations for the Harvard German Conference 2009 are already underway. It will be a year full of important historical references: Germany will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 60th anniversary of the Federal Republic’s foundation. Both events have a strong German-American dimension and hence will feature prominently at the 2009 Conference.

We hope you enjoyed our Conference and look forward to welcoming you again in 2009!

Marcel Dietsch, Max Milz and Geraldine PrasuhnConference Committee Co-Chairs

All photos are copyright by Brian Jenkin and are available for purchase on: http://brianjenkin.smugmug.com/Events/497956

Organizing Committee’s Preface





Marcel Dietsch specializes in the political and economic dimensions of energy resources. He currently prepares his doctoral research on Energy and Power in International Politics at the University of Oxford, where he will start in September 2008. From 2006 to 2008 Marcel earned a Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree at Harvard University while working as Professor Joseph Nye’s research associate and teaching assistant at Harvard. Professional and political work experience includes stints at the Beijing office of KfW Development Bank, at the US Congress in Washington DC, at the German Bundestag in Berlin and Goldman Sachs in London.

Max Milz holds a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (2008) and a Bachelor of Arts in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, UK (2005). During his time at Harvard, Max also taught Principles of Economics (Ec10) as a Teaching Fellow of Professor N. Gregory Mankiw. Max has worked in both the public and private sectors and will start working for the Assistant Minister of the Environment for the State of Hamburg, Germany in August 2008.

Geraldine Prasuhn studies East Asian Studies and Economics at Harvard College and will graduate with an A.B. in 2009. Geraldine has served as President of the Harvard College German Society, is the publisher of the literary magazine e Harvard Advocate, and is a member of the a cappella group Radcliffe Pitches. Together with Eva Gerlemann (Harvard Business School), Geraldine will once again serve as Co-Chair of the 2009 Conference on Germany in the Modern World.

Above: Conference Co-Chairs Marcel Dietsch, Geraldine Prasuhn and Max Milz with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier





Conference Agenda Friday, April 11th 2008

9am - 9.30am

9.30am - 10am

10am - 12pm

12pm - 1.30pm

1.30pm - 3pm

3pm - 3.30pm

3.30pm - 5pm

5pm - 6.15pm

Registration and light breakfastVenue: eatre Room, Harvard Faculty Club

Introduction Marcel Dietsch, Max Milz and Geraldine Prasuhn

Opening AddressProfessor Karl Kaiser, Harvard UniversityVenue: eatre Room, Harvard Faculty Club

Panel Discussion: Society“Who’s a German, then?”: Identity and Immigration: Contrasting the US and GermanyIntroduction: Max MilzVenue: eatre Room, Harvard Faculty Club

Lunch Venue: Library, Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street

Panel Discussion: Business“Marriage Made in Heaven or Uneasy Cohabitation?”: Conflicts and Synergies of US and German Business CulturesIntroduction: Eva GerlemannVenue: eatre Room, Harvard Faculty Club

Coffee Break

Panel Discussion: Foreign Policy“Punching below its Weight?”: Germany’s Role and Foreign Policy in the 21st CenturyIntroduction: Marcel DietschVenue: eatre Room, Harvard Faculty Club

Afternoon Chamber Music Concert with RefreshmentsVenue: Ticknor Lounge, Boylston Hall





Above: Registration and light breakfast at Harvard Faculty Club.Below: Opening remarks by Professor Karl Kaiser, Harvard University.





Conference Agenda Saturday, April 12th 2008

11am - 12.30pm

12.30pm - 2pm

Keynote Speech followed by Q & AVenue: Norton Lecture Hall, Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy Street, Harvard University

Welcome:Marcel Dietsch

Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Charles S. Maier, Professor of History, Harvard University

Keynote Speaker: Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

Q&A Moderation:Geraldine Prasuhn

Closing:Max Milz

Lunch Receptionwith Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of the Federal Republic of GermanyVenue: Loeb House, Quincy Street

Minister Steinmeier and Consul General Wolfgang Vorwerk. Professor Karl Kaiser (Harvard). Ambassador Klaus Scharioth.





Above and below: Before and during Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s speech at the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University.





Panel Discussion: Identy and ImmigrationFriday, April 11th 2008, Harvard Faculty Club

Panelists:Irene Dische, German-American Author

Jonathan Laurence, Assistant Professor of Political ScienceOmid Nouripour, Member of the German Parliament

Gayle Tufts, American Comedian living in Berlin

Moderation: Almut Wieland-Karimi, Friedrich Ebert Foundation

Who’s a German, then?Identity and Immigration: Contrasting the US and Germany

Below: Participants of the society panel from left to right: Gayle Tufts, Jonathan Laurence, Almut Wieland-Karimi, Omid Nouripour, Irene Dische.





e first panel discussion of the conference was entitled „Who‘s a German, then?“ and attempted to shed some light on the discussion about immigration and identity, two terms that have become very important in the increasingly diverse German society in the second half of the nineteenth century. Prof. Karl Kaiser, Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and former advisor to German Chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt, introduced the topic recalling an interview with Willy Brandt in the late 1970s. When asked about the reason for Germany’s very liberal immigration laws at the time, Brandt answered with the rather somber remark that when the German constitution was written in 1948 no one dared to think that anyone would ever be willing to immigrate into the country of the Holocaust. Only forty years later Germany is one of the main immigrant countries in Europe. Prof. Kaiser pointed out that Germany’s willingness to deal with the

challenges of an increasingly diverse and multiethnic population acknowledges the great opportunities of a more open and tolerant soceity.

e speakers on the panel mirrored the different dimension of the topic in an intriguing fashion. Omid Nouripour, as a Member of the German Parliament for the Green Party and born in Teheran, Iran, shared the perspective of a politician of foreign descent while Prof. Jonathan Laurence, an American political scientist specializing on the role of religion and immigration in Europe contributed a more academic perspective. Gayle Tufts, an American stand-up comedian living and working in Berlin and Irene Dische, an American writer of German descent, raised in New York and living in in Berlin made the discussion more personal and colorful by sharing their personal experiences and observations in Germany.

Above: Moderator Almut-Wieland Karimi and Member of Parliament Omid Nouripour.





Mrs. Dische opened the panel by recalling what a hard time Germans have had facing the apparent problems of immigration and social integration of second generation ‚Ausländer’ (foreigners) in the past. Prof. Laurence added that there has been however a remarkable trend towards a greater awareness. Islam is by now recognized as an important religion and naming someone Turkish is no longer synonymous to ‚Ausländer’. e education system has been adapting to the changes within the society by offering specific classes for children from different religious backgrounds. According to Prof. Laurence, Muslims today are a vital part of German cultural life. Omid Nouripour highlighted that Germany is finally ready to redefine what the term „German“ really means. He sees himself as the best example, becoming a member of the German Parliament only six years after gaining citizenship. He added that in a multiethnic society like Germany, the traditional definition of national identity

has lost both its meaning and usefulness. Rather than descent and ethnicity, national identity will have to be based on common values such as liberty and equality.

Gayle Tufts described her experience in Germany as multi-facetted. Since she moved to Berlin in the late 1980s, she has observed the resurge of German pop culture, but in the new outfit of a multi-cultural movement that clearly is clearly different from the popular culture the country has seen in the past. Prof. Laurence pointed out that it takes a long time for every society to digest that it is changing into a melting pot for many cultures and moves away from old inherited patterns. e best answer to this trend is not a ‘Leitkultur’ but rather acquaintance and dialogue. Cultural learning is the best remedy to a better understanding and appreciating differences is more constructive than mourning after the more homogeneous past. (Johannes Reck)

Below: Entertainer Gayle Tufts and political scientist Jonathan Laurence.





Above: Almut Wieland-Karimi, Omid Nouripour and Irene Dische.Below: Questions from the audience to the panelists.





Panelists:Ambassador John C. Kornblum, Chairman of Lazard & Co. Germany

Martin Richenhagen, President, and CEO, AGCO CorporationJan-Patrick Schmitz, President and CEO Montblanc North America, LLC

Ulf “Mark” Schneider, President and CEO, Fresenius SE

Moderation: Arthur Daemmrich, Assistant Professor, Harvard Business School

Panel Discussion: BusinessFriday, April 11th 2008, Harvard Faculty Club

Marriage made in Heaven or uneasy Cohabitation? Conflicts and Synergies of German and American Business Cultures

Below: Opening presentation by Mark Schneider (right) with the other panelists on the left: Martin Riechenhagen, Jan-Patrick Schmitz, Arthur Daemmrich and John Kornblum





After a brief introduction by Eva Gerlemann, highlighting the accomplishments of the distinguished panelists Ambassador John C. Kornblum (Lazard), Martin Richenhagen (AGCO), Jan Patrick Schmitz (Montblanc) and Ulf “Mark” Schneider (Fresenius), the business panel started with some short presentations by the discussants. Although the panelist’s individual histories and the scope of their companies differed to a large extent, they reached surprisingly similar conclusion.

As pointed out by Mr. Schneider, Fresenius as a multinational company faces one of its biggest challenges in finding people being able to work in different work and cultural environments and make sure that these talents work in a way that is most beneficial to the company. Mr. Richenhagen highlighted the differences in the goals of stereotypical enterprises in Germany and the US, arguing that German companies

concentrated on investing and making everything yourself, while American companies focused more on working in teams and making money out of ideas. Adding to the inherent differences between US and German Businesses, Mr. Schmitz added that the US sales management of Montblanc was heavily pushing for broader distribution and lower prices for products, while in Germany people were willing to accept high prices and limited availability for luxury products. Montblanc was able to transfer its “German” business model in the US, enabling the company to really build trusted relationships with their customers, proving that German businesses could also function in the US even without adapting to its general business rules.

Finally, Ambassador John C. Kornblum emphasized the German inflexibility and orientation on hierarchy as an example where Germany could learn something from the US. In his own business experience at Lazard,

Above: Ulf “Mark” Schneider, President and CEO of Fresenius SE





he found this especially challenging when trying to convince his colleagues to do more business with the German middle-sized companies.

Overall, the business panel at the Conference on Germany in the Modern World highlighted the crucial role of the trade relations between Germany and the US and how these countries could further learn from each other. It offered fresh perspectives on the challenges multicultural firms face and provided fascniating insights how to cope with them. (Johann Blauth)

Above: Jan-Patrick Schmitz (Montblanc).Below: Martin Richenhagen (AGCO).





Above: John Kornblum (Lazard) and Ulf “Mark” Schneider (Fresenius).Below: Moderator Arthur Daemmrich (Harvard) and Eva Gerlemann (Business Panel, Organizer).





Panel Discussion: Foreign PolicyFriday, April 11th 2008, Harvard Faculty Club

Below: Panelists of the foreign policy panel (from left to right): Ambassador John Kornblum, Hans-Dieter Heumann, Annette Heuser (Moderator), Karl Kaiser, Charles Maier.

Punching below its Weight? Germany’s Role and Foreign Policy in the 21st Century

Panelists:

Hans-Dieter Heumann, Minister, Head of Political Department, German Embassy, Washington, D.C.Karl Kaiser, Adjunct Professor of Public Policy (Harvard University)Ambassador John C. Kornblum, Former Assistant Secretary of State

Charles S. Maier, Professor of History (Harvard University)

Moderation: Annette Heuser, Bertelsmann Foundation, Washington, D.C.





Is Germany punching below its weight? is question was the topic of an interesting debate among Hans-Dieter Heumann (Minister, German Embassy), Professor Karl Kaiser (Harvard), Ambassador John C. Kornblum (Lazard & Co), and Professor Charles Maier (Harvard) with the expert moderation of Annette Hauser (Bertelsmann Foundation, D.C.). All participants agreed that Germany was punching at its weight, but as pointed out by Ambassador Kornblum, Germany’s weight might not be large enough to reflect its economic and political status in the world. Ambassador Kornblum was also skeptical regarding the European Union which, according to his words, “will never will become as strong a political power as the United States.”

More theoretical insights into Germany’s foreign policy were offered by Professor Maier who presented his triangle concept of foreign relations. After World War

II, Germany’s foreign policy was primarily concerned with establishing good relations with the United States, France, and Israel. Today, this scope has extended substantially, especially due to the efforts to reintegrate Eastern Europe.

Talking about the United States foreign policy, Mr. Heumann highlighted that international actions should only be undertaken with international legitimacy as it builds the basis for all foreign policy. Here Europe’s role as a partner might become viable as it will allow the United States to gain the necessary international legitimacy to intervene in other countries.

Professor Kaiser focused more on the role foreign policy could have for the economic relationships between Germany and the United States. He suggested the establishment of a Transatlantic council which could lead these two countries to adopt more similar

Above: Hans-Dieter Heumann (Minister, German Embassy) and Annette Heuser (Bertelsmann Foundation).





competitive policies and might finally render possible the establishment of a common competitive politics.

In conclusion, the foreign policy panel offered a differentiated discussion of contemporary Germany as a factor in international politics. While some of the discussants’ opinions might have been controversial, there was general consensus that Germany as an economic and political factor could facilitate transatlantic relationships and assist in the the resolution of the world’s conflicts.(Johann Blauth)

Above: Annette Heuser (Bertelsmann Foundation) and Professor Karl Kaiser (Harvard).Below: John Kornblum, Hans-Dieter Heumann, Annette Heuser, Karl Kaiser, Charles Maier.





Above: Ambassador John Kornblum, Hans-Dieter Heumann and Annette Heuser Foundation).Below: Marcel Dietsch (Conference Co-Chair and Foreign Policy Panel Organizer).





Tea reception and conference dinner Friday, April 11th 2008, Harvard Faculty ClubAfter an eventful day with a lot of interesting panels and discussions, the participants of the Conference on Germany in the Modern World were invited to a tea reception with chamber music to enable them to further deepen and discuss the thoughts that might have arisen during the day.

e highlight of the evening program, however, was the solemn dinner in the venerable Harvard Faculty Club with a dinner speech by Mr. Heumann, Minister and Political Department Head at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, and a brief performance by the acclaimed cabaret artist and entertainer Gayle Tufts, who had already lightened up the Identity and

Immigration panel in the morning session.

Mr. Heumann - after humorously noting that he had to be dead serious while Ms. Tufts could do real entertainment - offered an insightful account of how Germany’s foreign policy might be influenced by the upcoming elections in the United States. Afterwards, Ms. Tufts fulfilled Mr. Heumann’s prediction and presented a fabulous show, entertaining the audience by talking about the everyday challenges an American faces in Germany and signing a ballad about her hometown of New York City. Her wonderful performance earned broad applause and concluded the first day of the conference. (Johann Blauth)

Below: Hans-Dieter Heumann delivered the dinner speech at the conference dinner which was held at the Harvard Faculty Club.





Above: Entertaininer Gayle Tufts during her marvellous performance after dinner.Below: e dinner guests enjoyed Gayle Tufts’ performance a lot.





Above: Nick Zimmerman, Anthony Woods and Omid Nouripour at Conference Dinner

Above: Ulf “Mark” Schneider, Eva Gerlemann; Geraldine Prahsun (right) at Conference Dinner

Above: Uwe Mohr (Director, Goethe Institute Boston), Clara Zverina and Arash Nekoei at Conference Dinner





Above: Johannes Haushofer, Hannah Wehling and Johann Blauth at Conference Dinner

Above: Marcel Dietsch, Gayle Tufts and Max Milz at Conference Dinner.

Above: Professor Charles Maier, Gita Khun Jush and Michael Mödl at Conference Dinner.





e highlight of the conference was the keynote speech on Saturday, April 12th, by the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier. At 11 o’clock PM conference organizers Marcel Dietsch, Max Milz and Geraldine Prasuhn, the Leverett Saltenstall Professor of History Charles S. Maier, his excellency Ambassador Klaus Scharioth and Foreign Minister Steinmeier took stage under the great applause by the audience.

Following Mr Dietsch’s brief welcome, Prof. Maier formaly introduced the keynote speaker. In his address, Prof. Maier reminded the audience of Minister Steinmeier’s achievements before and while being in

office as the German Foreign Minister. Furthermore, he elaborated on the remarkable history between Harvard and Germany. In particular, Prof. Maier refered to the Marshall Fund, the McCloy Scholarships and the initiatives of Chancellor Helmut Kohl as prime examples of the strong ties between the University and the Federal Republic.

In his 40 minute speech, Minister Steinmeier expressed his sincere delight about the opportunity to speak at Harvard. He then proceeded to the duties of Germany in the modern world. Contemporary challenges of foreign policy are not merely limited to maintaining peace but also include climate change, energy security, hunger,

Keynote Speech by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter SteinmeierSaturday, April 12th 2008, Fogg Art Museum

Below: Minister Steinmeier’s speech at Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University; on the podium: Prof. Charles Maier, Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Co-Chairs Marcel Dietsch, Max Milz and Geraldine Prasuhn.





protection against pandemics, and better control of capital markets. In the light of the common challenges faced by both Germany and the United States, Minister Steinmeier recalled an important speech delivered at Harvard: George Marshall’s famous announcement of the Marshall plan that helped Germany recover after the end of the 2nd world war.

Minister Steinmeier also recalled Willy Brandt’s visit to Harvard in 1972, when the establishment of the German Marshall Fund was announced in gratitude for earlier American support. As tragic as the wars in the first half of the 20th century were, as intense the relationship between the United States and Germany has been thereafter. As examples for the strong relations between Germany and the U.S., Minister Steinmeier emphasized economic and political links. However, the Foreign Minister left no doubt that new global issues such as increasingly scarce resources, increased

inequality due to globalisation, the rise of new powers in Asia, the challenge of political Islam, or fighting terrorism require even stronger alliances. In this context, Dr. Steinmeier referred to Prof. Nye’s concept of “smart power” as a guiding principle for international policies that serve both America’s and Europe’s interests.

Steinmeier highlighted three points that he perceives as a central to develop common policies: A more sustainable world, a safer world and a more just and open world.

Climate change requires joint action in technological development, as well as a coherent emissions trading system, he argued. Concerning international security, the Foreign minister pointed out that a strong Europe will continue to be in the vital interest of American foreign policy. Intriguingly, Minister Steinmeier also included Russia in future alliances facing security issues, whilst also arguing for a differentiated dialogue

Above: Minister Steinmeier recalled speeches at Harvard by General George Marshall and Chancellor Willy Brandt during his address to more than 400 guests.





emphasizing shortcomings in the country’s political system. Germany, he assured, will not hesitate to fullfil its role in protecting freedom of speech in Europe and abroad. As prime examples, Minister Steinmeier stated Germany’s firm committment in Afghanistan and the Kosovo. However, he made clear that such activities mean a lot for the generally pacifistic post-war Germany.

As the third element of his speech, the Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of fair and open trade as “Gold Standard“ for a more sustainable and safer world. e Foreign Minister judged the “siren songs of protectionism” that are becoming louder in Europe as well as the United States as very tempting and dangerous. Naming the current threat of the international credit crisis as an example, Minister Steinmeier emphasized that engagement, dialogue, institution building, and global governance are the only solutions to problems

arising from the complexity of international trade.

In a 30 min Q&A session following his speech, Minister Steinmeier was asked about the German government’s approaches to international problems, such as the current election crisis in Zimbabwe, the riots in Tibet, and the ongoing war in Iraq as well as more personal questions, particularly his possible candidacy for German Chancellorship in the 2009 elections. A very vital dialogue between the audience and the Foreign minister ensued in which Dr. Steinmeier took the time to answer every question in detail.

e official end of the German conference was a lunch reception in Loeb House. Certain invited guests had the opportunity to enjoy German food and drink and talk to the Minister in person. (Johannes Reck)

Below: Minister Steinmeier’s speech as the main event of the conference drew a diverse audienve of over 400 people, approx. 200 of which were able to attend the ensuing reception at Loeb House.





Above: Minister Steinmeier, Professor Charles Maier and Ambassador Klaus Scharioth.Below: e 30-minute Q&A session developed into a sophisticated dialogue.





Above: Conference Co-Chairs Marcel Dietsch, Max Milz and Geraldine Prasuhn.

Above: Almut Wieland-Karimi and Omid Nouripour; Conference participants at lunch reception at Loeb House

Above: Conference participants at lunch reception with Minister Steinmeier.





Above: At lumch reception: Minister Steinmeier (left); Steve Sokol (American Council on Germany) (right).

Above: Minister Steinmeier with Consul General Vorwerk and conference participants at lunch reception.

Above: Conference participants at lunch reception with Minister Steinmeier.





Above: OrganizingTeam with Professor Kaiser, Ambassador Scharioth and Consul General Vorwerk

Above: Michael Czogalla (Friedrich Ebert Foundation) and Gayle Tufts; Steve Sokol and Omid Nouripour

Above: Organizing Team Members Clara Péron, Benjamin Schöfer and omas Park (center, right picture)





Above: Emre Basar, Almut Wieland-Karimi, Irene Dische; Prof. Jonathan Laurence.

Above: Conference Lunch on Friday, April 11th 2008, at the Harvard Faculty Club Library.

Above: Consul General Vorwerk, Marcel Dietsch, Clara Zverina, Johannes Reck, Max Milz and Gita Khun Jush.



Organizing Team from left to right: Benjamin Schöfer, Emre Basar, Max Milz, Eva Gerlemann, Johann Blauth, Gita Khun Jush, Michael Mödl, Geraldine Prasuhn, Johannes Reck, Clara Zverina, Marcel Dietsch, Hannah Wehling and Johannes Haushofer. Missing: Clara Peron and omas Park.

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