transatlantic relations

General Assembly introduces S.B. No. 132 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT-GERMANY TRADE COMMISSION

Posted on by

On February 17, 2026, Profs. Anke Finger and Sebastian Wogenstein (German Studies) submitted testimony in support of the proposed S.B. No. 132 which seeks to establish a new Trade Commission for Connecticut and Germany. There are already two Commissions established, with Ireland and with Puerto Rico, and another is proposed with India. The proposed Trade Commission with Germany would further solidify strong ties that started in 1989 with the German state of Baden-Württemberg and Connecticut.

More information about the bill is available here, with the full bill linked as a PDF. A list of Public Hearing Testimony is listed on the site as well.

What is the Commission’s focus?

For more information, please consult this page. For more information about German companies in Connecticut, follow the lead from Advance CT.

Germany ranks 3rd in List of World’s Top Valuable Brands

Posted on by

In international reports, Germany is ranked 3rd, following the USA and China, with its list of most valuable companies in 2024. Deutsche Telekom is leading the group, and together the value of the German top 8 amounts to $347.1B. The full report is available from Brand Finance, and the information presented is visualized by Visual Capitalist. 

Guerlina Philogène (EUROBIZ) wins Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship

Posted on by

As she is about to graduate, Guerlina Philogène, freshly returned from her intership in Germany, receives the prestigious Thomas R. Pickering fellowship for graduate study:

“The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State.  The Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world.  Upon successful completion of a two-year master’s degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC and at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe.”

Guerlina spent the last years soaring in the EUROBIZ dual degree program and receiving great honors already before going abroad by being named a Gilman Scholar for 2022-23. She has now shared her goals within a longer article published in UConn Today:

“I have always tried to be a peacemaker and interested in conflict resolution, and I think that is why I am interested in foreign diplomacy,” says Philogene. “I want to hear both sides of an issue and I can’t make a decision until then. I want to hear a lot of information before I make a concise opinion that will hopefully help both sides.”

CONGRATULATIONS – we are so proud of your many accomplishments!

Career Booster Germany, October 4th

Posted on by

Find out more about opportunities for studying and working in Germany and join the Career Day Germany! The Goethe-Institut Boston invites teachers and students of high schools and colleges to Career Day Germany on Friday, Oct. 4 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
 
See how speaking German can improve career perspectives and explore options for exchange programs, German university degree programs without tuition fees and career options in Germany and in the USA.
 

The Zeitgeist and The Big Pond – Transatlantic Podcasts

Posted on by

Two fairly recent podcasts, The Zeigeist, supported by the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), and The Big Pond, broadcast by the Goethe Institute in support of the “Wunderbar Together” Year, feature some big-picture and some more everyday stories about how US Americans and Germans see their own and the other’s country and culture. Episodes include conversations about German bread, Industry 4.0, or the Detroit-Berlin connection. Download, connect, and listen in on the many perspectives on transatlantic relations!