Distinguished Global Speaker Series – German Consul

Global Speaker Series:

Date: Friday, 02-26-2010
Place: Weidman Center, Room 133, Health & Science Building
University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Time: 12pm – 1pm
Guest Speaker: Thorsten Gottfried

Lecture Info:

The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier built by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) which completely enclosed the city of West Berlin, separating it from East Berlin/East Germany. During its existence from 1961 to 1989, the 96 miles-long wall seperated thousands of families and friends. Revolutionary protest demonstrations led to the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. The fall paved the way for German reunification one year later.

2009 was the 20th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall. These events triggered drastic changes around the world, marking the end of the Cold War and of the division of Europe. Last year the German Embassy in the US coordinated a public diplomacy campaign with the motto “Freedom Without Walls” to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Bio:

Thorsten Gottfried has been the Consul for Consular and Cultural Affairs
at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Houston,
Texas, since July of 2007. He joined the German Foreign Service in 1990.
Former postings include Karanchi in Pakistan and New York City, with short
term assignments to Taiwan, Romania and Mali. Mr. Gottfried holds a law
degree from the University of Konstanz, Germany.