Greetings from the partners of the
Transatlantic Outreach Program:

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greater abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream, which fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone.
– John F. Kennedy.

Deutsche Bank AG is a corporation with global interests and global ties, a corporation which considers community involvement as both a privilege and a responsibility. Deutsche Bank co-founded the Transatlantic Outreach Program with this goal in mind. The “TOP” program supports social studies teachers in the teaching of modern German culture, politics, and economics through publications, workshops, and the chance to travel to Germany on one of the study/travel seminars. We consider the promotion of understanding and tolerance essential to the future of business, political, and social relations between our two countries. As may be seen from our diverse social initiatives, we believe that sharing nowledge through education is an effective way of promoting tolerance and erasing prejudices.

Hanns-Michael Hoelz
Global Head, Corporate Cultural Affairs, Deutsche Bank AG
Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Now more than ever, in the age of globalization, the promotion of dialogue between cultures through interpersonal contact is of crucial importance. Germany has vastly changed since World War II, especially since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. To describe developments over the past 50 years and to offer American social studies educators a more complete picture of modern-day Germany, the German Foreign Office has teamed up with Deutsche Bank and the Goethe Institut to develop the Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP). We want to provide these educators with first-hand information about Germany offering premium, up-to-date material and – to a select number – study tours to Germany.

Dr. Wolfgang Ischinger
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
Washington, D.C.

“America, you are better off. You are not hampered in vital actions by useless memories and pointless strife…,” deplores the poet J.W. Goethe at the end of the 18th century, referring to the permanent tensions and struggles among German and European states. The Goethe Institut, as a cultural mediator, works for better international understanding by educating about Germany and by trying to find mutual subjects of cultural cooperation with partners throughout the world. The teaching material of the Transatlantic Outreach Program serves this goal by providing information about various aspects of German society, economy, history, and culture. We hope that it motivates students as well as teachers to strengthen their curiosity about Germany.

Prof. Jutta Limbach
President of the Goethe Institut
Munich, Germany

The Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH represents the philanthropic and social endeavors of founder Robert Bosch (1861-1942) and fulfils his legacy in a contemporary manner. Its main areas of interest are international relations, public health and education. In its program area international relations, the foundation seeks to promote among others the German-American relationship. The cornerstone of our transatlantic activities is the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship program. Since 1984, over 300 young American professionals have benefited from the program, living and working in Germany for nine months. The Transatlantic Outreach Program adds to our efforts to contribute to an accurate and well-informed picture of modern Germany among young Americans.

Dieter Berg
Chairman of the Board of Management
Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH
Stuttgart, Germany