One more week!

Its official! There is only one week left until Germany Symposium: Prospects and Challenges for Contemporary Germany takes place. Preparations are under way and the Jr. Research Fellows have been scrambling to finalize every last detail in hopes that the day will go as planned. For specific details regarding session times and speakers, our program is now available on our website.


Local, German-born musical artist Nilima will be performing during the lunch break. Have a listen for yourself: http://www.nilimamusic.com/.

Musical Artist Nilima Performing Live

Lunch is being catered by The Prague: Fine Food Emporium, a local restaurant specializing in various kinds of European cuisine. Some of their German specialties include sausages & cold cuts, garlic & herb spätzle, and various kinds of schnitzel all of which are included in our lunch menu.


Finally, here's a look at our afternoon roundtable sessions.


Constitutional Challenges Post 9/11:  Security Measures and Human Dignity

Germany’s constitution balances national security and liberty. Germany’s ability to face terrorist threats without undermining liberty has motivated us to study this in further detail. For instance, the Aviation Security Act, which would allow armed forces to shoot down a hijacked aircraft, was nullified by Germany’s highest court since it was not compatible with its Basic Law. This panel will compare Canada and Germany’s constitution in order to gain a more complete understanding of how both countries react to threats and security issues while dealing with preservation of human dignity. The panel will explore the challenges Germany has faced with regard to its Basic Law in its attempt to balance national security measures with individual liberty in the post 9/11 context. The extent to which these constitutional challenges resonate or contrast with American national security and anti-terrorism policies remains a key point of debate with regard to Germany’s transatlantic Relations.

Speakers include:

Russell A. Miller
Associate Professor of Law & Ethan Allen Faculty Fellow,Washington and Lee University

Kent Roach
Professor of Law & Prichard Wilson Chair of Law and Public Policy, University of Toronto

Alice Beauheim
Political/Legal Analyst, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Washington DC


The Education System: A Tool For Immigrant Integration or Social Dislocation?

This panel focuses on Germany’s education system; how it functions as an integration tool for immigrants, leading to a discussion of the challenges affiliated with integrating immigrants. These challenges range from educational aspirations in immigrant families in comparison to those born in Germany to the different education tracks that lead to distinct qualifications. Germany’s school system is highly stratified and the futures of students are determined at an early stage. Panelists will include experts on both the Canadian and American education systems, and their challenges and prospects for integrating immigrants in comparison to Germany’s education system.

Speakers include:

Onur Suzan Kömürcü Nobrega
PhD Candidate, Goldsmiths, University of London

Ranu Basu
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, York University

Jill P. Koyama
Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education,University of Buffalo, the State University of New York

A Look at German Foreign Policy

For those interested in international politics, take a look at our foreign policy panel. Interested in attending? Register at our website!

Germany's Transformed Multilateralism: European Security and the Transatlantic Relationship

 Germany’s foreign policy has undergone a series of developments in the past 60 years that have been largely shaped by the collective memory of its past military aggression. Even today, Germany's historical memory continues to shape its foreign and security policy decisions and this has led to the Bundestag’s strong commitment to multilateral cooperation. While German multilateralism has been characterized by interdependency and mutual cooperation in the earlier post-reunification years, its actions in the post 9/11 context might suggest a turn to a deeper consideration of national interests when responding to international issues.

Confirmed Speakers 

Beverly Crawford

Associate Director & Associate Research Political Scientist, Center for German and European Studies, University of California at Berkeley

Peter Schmidt

Honorary Professor, University of Mannheim

Benjamin Zyla

Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa

Kay Kuhlen

Lieutenant-Colonel, Head of the Military Attachés Office, German Embassy, Ottawa