LIVESTREAM • WEDNESDAY, 03/24/2021 • 7:00 - 8:30pm
A Global Policy of Responsibility
Germany and Europe in the 21st Century’s Global Power Play
Commemoration of former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher
A Global Policy of Responsibility
"Europe is our future, we have no other!" We all remember these words full of passion and conviction by the great liberal and long time German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his death, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom commemorates his great achievements in foreign policy and diplomacy. Genscher undoubtedly was the most powerful liberal foreign politician Germany had in the 20th century. Integration in European and transatlantic structures on the one hand, and a policy of détente and recociliation on the other were the central coordinates of his politics. And in the end, these culminated in the emblematic "peaceful revolutions for freedom" (Genscher) in Middle and Eastern Europe as well as in Germany’s reunification. During his last years Genscher was increasingly worried by the global political challenges, which he couldn’t imagine to be solved along the lines of traditional power politics. "Global policy of responsibility" was the term he chose instead as a guiding principle. The meaning of this for Germany’s and Europe’s role in the global power play of the 21st century will be discussed by renowned experts.
Guests
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
was Member of the German Bundestag from 1990 to 2013. From 1992 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2013 she served as German Minister of Justice. She has been a member of the Executive Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom since 2014 and is its Deputy Chair since 2018. In November 2018 she was appointed as first Anti-Semitism Commissioner for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2002 she was awarded with the Federal Order of Merit.
was Member of the German Bundestag from 1990 to 2013. From 1992 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2013 she served as German Minister of Justice. She has been a member of the Executive Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom since 2014 and is its Deputy Chair since 2018. In November 2018 she was appointed as first Anti-Semitism Commissioner for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2002 she was awarded with the Federal Order of Merit.
Alexander Graf Lambsdorff MP
has been Member of the German Bundestag since 2017 and is Deputy Chair of the Free Democrats’ parliamentary group, responsible for foreign and European affairs, security and development policies. From 2004 to 2017 he was Member of the European Parliament and from 2014 its Vice President for Democracy and Human Rights. As a trained diplomat he has also headed several EU-Election Observer Missions to various countries.
has been Member of the German Bundestag since 2017 and is Deputy Chair of the Free Democrats’ parliamentary group, responsible for foreign and European affairs, security and development policies. From 2004 to 2017 he was Member of the European Parliament and from 2014 its Vice President for Democracy and Human Rights. As a trained diplomat he has also headed several EU-Election Observer Missions to various countries.
Leszek Balcerowicz
is founder and chairman of the Council of the Polish think tank Civil Development Forum and professor at the Warsaw School of Economics. He served as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland in three governments, including the first non-communist government after World War II (1989-1991 and then 1997-2000). He was the main author of the pro-market economic reforms launched in 1989. He was the chairman of the liberal party Freedom Union (1995-2000) and then the Governor of the Bank of Poland (2001-2007).
is founder and chairman of the Council of the Polish think tank Civil Development Forum and professor at the Warsaw School of Economics. He served as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland in three governments, including the first non-communist government after World War II (1989-1991 and then 1997-2000). He was the main author of the pro-market economic reforms launched in 1989. He was the chairman of the liberal party Freedom Union (1995-2000) and then the Governor of the Bank of Poland (2001-2007).
Wolfgang Ischinger
has been Chairman of the Munich security Conference since 2008. After studying law, international relations and contemporary history, he joined the German foreign service in 1973. From1982 to 1990 he was personal associate of the German Foreign Minister. In 1993 he became Director of the Policy Planning Staff and in 1995 Political Director at the German Foreign Office. In 1998 he was appointed State Secretary of the Foreign Office. Paris, Washington DC and London were among the stations abroad during his long diplomatic career.
has been Chairman of the Munich security Conference since 2008. After studying law, international relations and contemporary history, he joined the German foreign service in 1973. From1982 to 1990 he was personal associate of the German Foreign Minister. In 1993 he became Director of the Policy Planning Staff and in 1995 Political Director at the German Foreign Office. In 1998 he was appointed State Secretary of the Foreign Office. Paris, Washington DC and London were among the stations abroad during his long diplomatic career.
Michael Link MP
has been Member of the German Bundestag from 2005 to 2013 and again since 2017. He serves as Spokesperson for European Affairs for the FDP Parliamentary Group. From 2012 to 2013he was Minister of State at the German Foreign Office and from 2014 to 2017 served as the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. Since 2018 he is a member of the Executive Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
has been Member of the German Bundestag from 2005 to 2013 and again since 2017. He serves as Spokesperson for European Affairs for the FDP Parliamentary Group. From 2012 to 2013he was Minister of State at the German Foreign Office and from 2014 to 2017 served as the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. Since 2018 he is a member of the Executive Board of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
is President of Honour of Liberal International. She was a member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 2015, where she was a member of the Committees for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence and the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Her political career began in Brussels as a city councillor. In 1981 she became a member of the Belgian Parliament and from 2001 to 2003 served as Minister of European Affairs, International Trade and Agriculture.
is President of Honour of Liberal International. She was a member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 2015, where she was a member of the Committees for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence and the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Her political career began in Brussels as a city councillor. In 1981 she became a member of the Belgian Parliament and from 2001 to 2003 served as Minister of European Affairs, International Trade and Agriculture.