Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg
On 19 and 20 June 2025 the annual meeting of the Association of German-American Centers (VDAZ) took place in Kiel. It was hosted by the member organisation Amerika-Gesellschaft Schleswig-Holstein in cooperation with the Amerikazentrum Hamburg.
Alongside central themes such as democracy and the future of transatlantic relations, the two days focused on bringing together the various actors in transatlantic cooperation. Following the meeting of the member organisations, the VDAZ hosted a reception at the Foerdeblick restaurant, right next to the Kiel-Holtenau lighthouse.
After welcoming addresses, among others by Chargé d’Affaires Alan Meltzer (U.S. Embassy Berlin) and the First Deputy Mayor of the City of Kiel, Constance Prange, a lively exchange developed among the representatives present from politics, education and culture.
A particular highlight of the meeting was the reception on board the USS Mount Whitney, flagship of the U.S. Navy, which docked in the port of Kiel during Kieler Woche and after taking part in BALTOPS 2025. The visit not only provided an extraordinary setting and conclusion, it also underlined the importance of the transatlantic partnership in a security policy context.
Impressions of the meeting
