Hosting German President Joachim Gauck |
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October 13, 2015, Volume 62, No. 09 |
University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Penn’s Perry World House hosted Joachim Gauck, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, for a public lecture on shared US-German values. His lecture, Freedom—our shared bond, given on October 6, discussed many collaborations between the two countries since the mid-18th century, when Penn began this country’s oldest German studies program in 1754, with the first professor of German hired in 1757. Benjamin Franklin traveled to Germany in 1766.
Dr. Gutmann introduced President Gauck: “We are deeply honored to have President Gauck visit our campus. He is a highly respected advocate of freedom and democratic principles, and brings a unique perspective to his talk given the current political challenges unfolding in Europe. I know his insights will be a source of inspiration to our students, faculty and staff.”
President Gauck was elected by the Federal Convention on March 18, 2012, at which time he became the 11th president of the Federal Republic of Germany. He gained prominence in German politics for his involvement in the opposition in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the quest for freedom, democracy and human rights. A pastor for many years, he was one of the initiators of the church and popular resistance to the communist regime in the GDR, leading weekly prayers for peace that led to protest demonstrations.
President Gauck’s visit to the United States came days after German Unity Day on October 3, a day marking the anniversary of German reunification in 1990. As a champion of freedom, he had helped usher in democracy 25 years ago.
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