Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited Los Angeles and San Francisco from 17 to 21 June.
In Los Angeles, President Steinmeier inaugurated the Thomas Mann House, a property acquired by the German Government in 2016 to save it from demolition and to transform this place of literary and political exile into a venue for renewed transatlantic dialogue. He also gave the opening speech at the conference The Struggle for Democracy
, which was held in conjunction with the inauguration of the Thomas Mann House.
In San Francisco and Silicon Valley President Steinmeier talked to experts about the challenges posed by the digital revolution. The talks will focus on the developments that will transform society as a result of digital advances in the field of artificial intelligence and in the workplace of the future, and the consequences for democracy. In addition, the President met Jerry Brown, the Governor of California, and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Overview of the programme:
Sunday, 17 June
- Evening (Central European Summer Time)
Flight to Los Angeles, USA - Evening (Pacific Daylight Time)
Arrival in Los Angeles
Monday, 18 June
- Morning
Talks with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti in the Trade and Technology Center
Talks with representatives of Jewish organisations in the Museum of Tolerance - Lunchtime
Talks with Thilo Kuther, owner of Pixomondo, on developments in the film industry in the light of digitalisation
thereafter
Talks with German film-makers in the USA - Afternoon
Talks with Thomas Mann House fellows and their US partners - Evening
Address at the inauguration of the Thomas Mann House
Tuesday, 19 June
- Morning
Visit to the Getty Research Institute
Opening speech at the conferenceThe Struggle for Democracy
, the inaugural event at the Thomas Mann House - Lunchtime
Flight to San Francisco - Afternoon
Arrival in San Francisco
Talks with Marc Tessier-Lavigne, President of Stanford University
Talks with experts onShaping Our Digital Future – Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies
Tour of the Hoover Tower Archives
Talks with Condoleezza Rice
Talks with Jerry Brown, Governor of California - Evening
Dinner with the Governor of California and other US politicians
Wednesday, 20 June
- Morning
Talks with American trade unionists
Visit to St. Anthony’s Mission and St. Boniface Church, which provides shelter for homeless people
Expert discussion on the future of work - Afternoon
Walk through the Presidio national park and drive across Golden Gate Bridge
Meeting with the head ofGerman Accelerator
and representatives from German startups - Evening
Flight to Berlin
Thursday, 21 June
- Afternoon
Arrival in Berlin