Bridging the Transatlantic Divide

Even today, 50 years after World War II, the German image among young Americans is still overshadowed by Germany’s dark past.

It is this shadow which the founders of the German-American organisation Atlantik-Brücke, or Atlantic Bridge have attempted to banish during its 50 year existence.

On Wednesday, the Atlantic Bridge organisation celebrates half a century of promoting and supporting German-American ties.

Founded in 1952 by Germans persecuted in WWII, the Atlantic Bridge sought to pursue a transatlantic relationship severely marred during the war. "We knew that administration could not achieve ereything and expected more from a private initiative", one of the founders, Erik Blumenfeld once said.

The association is a forum for German intellectuals from all parts of the political, cultural and economical spectrum: FDP (Federal Democratic Party) leader Guido Westerwelle, top Green politician Cem Özdemir, chief editor at Germany’s Bild tabloid newspaper, Kai Diekmann and Thomas Enders from EADS – the list of members from politics and business is long. A list which easily leads to presumptions as to a possible existing class consciousness among the association's top level ranks.

However, the organisation’s programme reveals a far wider scope than expected: During its 50 year existence, the Atlantic Bridge has sought to bring together both young and old, managers and school children, in an attempt to foster and nurture a relationship, which is still blighted by Germany’s past and affects all aspects of both German, and American society.

Apart from discusssions on Germany’s role in world politics throughout the association's history, heated debates have also taken place on more internal, but not less important German matters. According to chairmann Beate Lindemann, "the topics reflect Germany’s development and its ties to the US, all the important questions and issues are to be found in these discusssions".

Besides this tradition of deep discussion, the Atlantic Bridge has managed to establish a wide network – not only among the so-called "strategic community", but also among those, who otherwise regard the US’ dominating role in world politics with restraint, and may have otherwise avoided any involvement in transatlantic matters.

Young leaders

In 1973, Atlantik–Brücke, together with the American Council on Germany, began holding German-American Young Leaders Conferences. Initially, gatherings were held on a biennial basis. Since 1985 they occur annually, alternating between Germany and the United States.

Traditionally, the Young Leaders conference brings together 50 people between the ages of 28 and 35 who are active in different fields of society in both the United States and Germany.

But the association has also brought numerous German and American school children together – among the first were 35 pupils from eastern Germany, before the Berlin wall was erected.

Today, eastern Germany still plays a prominent role in the Altantic Bridge’s programme, various seminars are held in Freiberg, Saxony.

In its mission statement, the association says " whenever a need for increased understanding, an opportunity for networking, or an urgent policy issue arises, Atlantik–Brücke is there to take action".

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the Atlantic Bridge reacted fast, organising donations and for American children to travel to Germany.

On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer is to hold the eulogy at the Atlantic Bridge’s anniversary celebrations in Berlin.