UNH Today

The UNH German program in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures has organized a series of fall events centered around the upcoming German federal elections and their significance for the future of Germany. The series commences with a special guest lecture by the Consul General Nicole Menzenbach of Boston’s German Consulate General, Sept. 14, 2021, 1-2 p.m. in 115 Murkland Hall. All events in the series are free and open to the public.

The German elections may prove to be an important moment in European politics. 2021 marks the end of Angela Merkel’s leadership, which has lasted 16 years. Merkel is a global leader and her retirement will bring with it a shift not only in German politics, but also in European and global politics. The leading candidates for the chancellorship of Germany come from Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union party, the Social Democratic Party and the Green party. Germany is a leader in environmental politics and policy, and 2021 may be a watershed moment for green parties around the globe.

The series provides an opportunity to learn about the German political system and European politics. Events will shed light on German-American relations, the leadership role that Germany plays in global policy making, how major political issues are debated in one of the U.S.'s closest allied nations, and the differences in the German and American democratic systems.

The series events are:

German Consul General
German Consul General Nicole Menzenbach visits UNH to discuss the 2021 elections and the future of Germany.
Sept. 14, 2021, 1-2 p.m., 115 Murkland Hall, Durham

German Political Parties
UNH students introduce the six major political parties that will help shape the future of Germany.
Sept. 20, 2021, 10:10-11 a.m., G34 Hamilton Smith Hall, Durham

Post-Election Roundtable
Political scientists, UNH professors and students discuss the outcomes of the German 2021 federal elections.
Oct. 7, 2021, 1-2 p.m., G17 Murkland Hall, Durham

Hip-Hop and German Identity
UNH Professor Kate Zambon discusses youth identity, under-represented populations and hip-hop culture in Germany.
Oct. 12, 2021, 1-2 p.m., G17 Murkland Hall, Durham

Deutsche Wähler | German Voters
A German language event. UNH students present the results of their semester-long project and interviews with German voters.
Nov. 19, 2021, 10:10-11, G10 Murkland Hall, Durham

Students are also invited to partake in poster and essay competitions to complement the series.

For more information about this series, please contact Charles.Vannette@unh.edu.