​The Wunderbar Together program, sponsored by the Goethe Institute and the government of Germany, was a terrific format for recognizing the breadth and depth of ties between Central Illinois and Germany.  Her Excellency Helga Barth had a full schedule meeting with the Friends of Friedrichshafen Sister City Organization, the German American Central Society, along with business and agricultural leaders with German heritage.
 
Madam Barth stressed the unique nature of relations between the United States and Germany.  She expressed deep gratitude to the US for “liberating” Germany in 1945 after WWII.  She also stressed the significance of the development of democratic political systems and market economics with the support of the US.  In addition, mutual security agreements, including the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, have allowed Germany to thrive without causing fears about their renewed military strength.  The growth of common values and interests have made the partnership between Germany and the United States truly valuable to our mutual benefit.
 
She did point out a few areas of contention between our states.  First, Germany prefers a more aggressive approach to climate change than the United States.  Second, Germany argues for greater engagement with Iran to reduce fears of nuclear proliferation rather than isolation, as the US prefers.  Finally, while tariffs are a tool employed by all states to accomplish trade objectives, Germany finds the use of tariffs against allies and trading partners to be ineffective, and even counterproductive.
 
Madam Barth answered questions about immigration by noting that the nearly million immigrants to Germany are good for the workforce and are being integrated quickly through educational programs.  She acknowledged that there is resentment for this immigration in some parts of Germany, but that the majority of Germans welcome the immigrants and recognize their value for the workforce.  She discussed Brexit and the challenges posed by the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.  She noted that, instead of posing a threat to the EU itself by encouraging other states to leave, there has been a rise in popular views of the EU and the benefits of belonging to the “family of European states.”  She was also asked about UK residents who may wish to apply for German citizenship by noting that they are welcome if they have followed all of the rules for citizenship in her state.
 
Traditional German food, including schnitzel, red cabbage and spaetzle, German beers and wines, and music provided by accordion and Alp horn players created a delightful evening appealing to the senses and the mind.  Although Madam Barth will move onto her next posting at the end of July, we hope we will see her again, either here in Central Illinois or in Berllin.
 

​While the conclusion of the United Kingdom’s goal to leave the European Union is still very much up in the air, the history of the decision and the politics of the arguments are worth learning.  Dr. Cleeton enlightened us all at this program at Barrack’s Cater Inn on May 16.
 
With slides that showed the course of the decision, including the influence of outside voices inserting their influence, Dr. Cleeton sorted out the confusion surrounding the original vote.  However, he was clear in pointing out that, once the referendum was held and the Leave campaign won, the deep confusion over what that actually meant and what would follow was as clear as mud to the people of the UK and the rest of us!
 
Largely as a reaction to the immigration crisis caused by the large number of people from the conflicts in Syria fleeing the warzone, the Leave campaign promised Brits the opportunity to reclaim the right to make all decisions for themselves concerning their borders, their monetary policies, and their lives in general.  But the reintroduction of hard borders and customs are not to their liking.  In particular, the so-called “soft border” with Ireland is a major hurdle for the hardliners in the UK to cross, and it’s not negotiable from the EU side. 
 
Dr. Cleeton pointed out that the on-going battle to define how the UK will eventually leave the EU is a battle happening within British politics.  It is the various political entities within the UK that are keeping them from finding consensus on how they want to leave, in particular because the majority of people and their politician want to dictate the terms of the withdrawal, keeping all the benefits of the common market without any of the responsibilities.  That position is unrealistic in light of the need to negotiate with all of the other members, the other 27 states, who also want to protect their union.
 
The European Union has negotiated with Prime Minister Teresa May, and the terms of Britain’s departure have been set.  As far as they are concerned, it is up to the British parliament to ratify the deal, not to renegotiate it.  The deadline for that to happen has been extended to October 31, and as a result, the UK is obligated to fulfill their commitments to the EU until then.
 
But will the UK crash out of the EU on October 31, or will they be able to iron out the way they will leave by compromising on policies within the British parliament?  The EU has said they will be out on October 31.  The Brexiteers have said they want to leave, no later than October 31.  But it remains to be seen HOW they will leave.  Or will another referendum to undo it all be held?  Cleeton says that is unlikely.