The U.S. Embassy in Berlin recently hosted a reception to honor alumni of U.S. government exchange programs who are now serving in key political roles within the German federal government, Bundestag, Bundesrat, and other institutions. The event highlighted the role of exchange programs in fostering personal connections and cultural understanding between countries.
Among the current 630 members of the Bundestag, 41 have participated in U.S. exchange programs. Notable figures include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and her deputies Omid Nouripour and Bodo Ramelow, all of whom are alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas and Environment Minister Carsten Schneider also share this distinction. Furthermore, nine Parliamentary State Secretaries studied in the United States, with numerous staff from both the Bundestag and Bundesrat having taken part in various programs such as the Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Exchange and Fulbright.
Chargé d’Affaires Meltzer welcomed over 60 guests at the event, including Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow and SPD Member of Parliament Ralf Stegner from the Foreign Affairs Committee. The gathering provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on their experiences abroad and discuss shared values that unite Germany and the United States. The evening underscored how personal connections contribute to a strong transatlantic partnership.