Rüttgers Delegation visits German Historical Institute Print
February 10, 2010

During his official visit to the United States, Jürgen Rüttgers, Minister President of the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, and his delegation braved a snowstorm to visit the German Historical Institute on February 10, 2010. Rüttgers and his delegation - composed of government officials, academics, businessmen, and journalists - engaged in a wide-ranging conversation with GHI Director Hartmut Berghoff and GHI academic staff. The discussion addressed a broad spectrum of topics, including: the role of the GHI; the teaching of the German language and German history in U.S. secondary and higher education; differences between German and American academic culture; the role of historical research in public debates; and German-American relations. Rüttgers, who was familiar with the work of the GHI from his time as Federal Minister of Education and Research (1994-1998), commended the Institute for its contribution to intellectual exchange and cooperation between German and American scholars as well as its outreach to the larger American public.


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Ulrich Gamerdinger (GABC), Hartmut Berghoff (GHI), Minister President Jürgen Rüttgers.

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Jürgen Rüttgers giving the delegations mini bus a push in front of the GHI.