As unprecedented numbers of refugees seek asylum in Europe, Ralf Horlemann, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany in Boston, will speak on the political and economic implications of the crisis at a free public event on campus March 3.
Hosted by 精东影业's German Studies Department, the event will take place at 3:30 p.m. in Devlin 101 with a reception to follow.
鈥淒r. Horlemann is in a position to offer the Boston College community an opportunity to engage in an educational conversation on this critical issue,鈥� said Associate Professor Rachel Freudenburg, acting chair for German Studies. 鈥淢igration, and the flood of refugees escaping dangerous environments all over the world, is an issue of global concern. It is of special importance to the United States, which is proud of its immigrant heritage, but struggling with that identity.鈥�
In 2015 alone, she noted, Germany welcomed approximately one million refugees 鈥� the majority from Syria 鈥� fleeing life-threatening situations. 鈥淐hancellor [Angela] Merkel鈥檚 heroic initiative to bring refugees to Europe presents Germany with its greatest challenge since unification,鈥� Freudenburg said. 鈥淲hile support for her policies is great, radical opposition is simultaneously gaining momentum, and beyond Germany鈥檚 borders, growing tension is testing the cohesion of the European Union.鈥�
The issue, she added, 鈥渁ffects every aspect of life in Germany, from national and international politics to issues of security, economic policy, education, health care, infrastructure, culture and religion. I hope that the global citizens who are Boston College鈥檚 students deepen their awareness of the unique solutions implemented by Germany, yet also leave the lecture with fresh insights on the question of immigration in their own countries of origin.鈥� 聽
Students like senior Alex Hawley are eager to hear Horlemann鈥檚 views. 鈥淭he refugee crisis that is transpiring across Eurasia and Northern Africa represents one of the gravest problems to face the globe today,鈥� said Hawley, an International Studies major with a political science concentration. The number of refugees who entered Germany鈥檚 borders last year 鈥減ut Germany鈥檚 new 鈥榃ilkommenskultur (Welcoming Culture)鈥� to the test.聽
鈥淚 believe this event marks a critical opportunity for the Boston College community to engage in dialogue with a diplomat from one of America鈥檚 strongest allies.鈥澛�
鈥揜osanne Pellegrini | News & Public Affairs