Shaping Transatlantic Futures Together: Experiences at the GAC 2025
Our current UAS7 intern at the New York Liason Office, Sonja Borgmann, reflects on her experiences attending the 17th German American Conference (GAC) at Harvard University.
“Collaborative action matters on any level. If you take one thing away from this conference, it should be the decision to work together and collaboratively decide what kind of future you want to live in. And I hope you make it a good one.”
- Wendy Sherman, former US Deputy Secretary of State at the GAC 2025
Transatlantic Relationship at a Crossroads – The theme of the 17th German American Conference (GAC) perfectly reflected the political, technological, and environmental challenges that countries on both sides of the Atlantic are currently facing. Yet, the collaborative spirit and excitement were palpable among the more than one thousand participants that gathered at the historic Memorial Church at Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts for the opening ceremony.
Together with my fellow interns from the 15th floor of the German Consulate General in New York, Anamaria Koci (Campus OWL New York) and Lasse Spellerberg (University Alliance Ruhr), I joined this platform for dialogue between Germany and the United States (US) for three days of inspiring discussions, panels, and workshops.
During the opening keynote, former US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman set the tone for the coference, praising the participants’ dedication to strengthening German-American relations and urged her audience to reflect on how both countries can successfully work together in a rapidly changing world.
The program then unfolded from Friday afternoon through Sunday, examining the transatlantic relationship from a wide range of angles — covering defense policy, economic cooperation, education and political communication. This being said, I knew it would be impossible to attend every exciting session even before the conference began, so I tried to put together a schedule for myself that would combine topics from my studies as a masters student of Market-Oriented Corporate Management at the TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences with other areas that I had little prior experience in.
Having been very impressed with Ambassador Sherman's speech the day before, I decided rather spontaneously to attend her Fireside Chat with White House Correspondent David Sanger. During this talk, Sherman and Sanger discussed past and present security challenges and the potential of peaceful transatlantic political strategies. Sherman not only shared her expertise but also invited questions from the audience, sparking a lively and thought-provoking exchange.
The next panel, titled “Breaking the Bias: Equitable Education by 2030”, drew a more direct connection to my internship. Headed by four experts and educational policy makers, this talk explored differences in access to education based on socioeconomic status in the US and Germany. In this context, Germany’s Universities of Applied Sciences were specifically highlighted for their unique integration of theory and practice. The American participants of the panel cited an increasing interest of educators in this teaching and research model, with more American students looking to gain practical experience during their studies.
Saturday concluded with a panel on political discourse on social media and the growing role of influencers - a topic that resonates strongly with me, given my background in communication. This chat offered insights into how journalists and communicators can engage audiences and contribute to political education on different channels as well as how opinions (and, consequently) election results are formed today - highlighting of what risks both media consumers and societies should be aware of.
The final panel I attended took place on Sunday and was titled “From Engine to Ecosystem: Redefining Germany’s Role in the Global Economy”. The discussion centered on how protectionist measures might affect economic development and what both countries could learn from each other as they navigate a changing economic landscape. Due to my Bachelor and Master studies, I have taken quite a few economics classes. Therefore, it was fascinating to see these concepts being put into practice to witness how real economists analyze current developments.
But, of course, visting the GAC was not only about its content. Seeing the Harvard campus and taking a tour of the business school was just as impressive as one would imagine - and the fall perfect weather made it all the more special. Moreover, the GAC was also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, build connections, and learn about the many different paths that had brought the participants to Harvard for this event. Although this conference is a student-led event, the atmosphere felt remarkably professional and energetic, shaped by audiences of academics, members of the armed forces, politicians and professionals: All participants seemed eager to share their views and ideas and learn from one another.
Speakers and participants also had the chance to meet in a calmer setting during small-group coffee chats to discuss individual questions and gain more in-depth insights. For me, as an intern and student at the very beginning of my professional journey, this format was not only a valuable networking opportunity but also a great chance to speak directly with the invited professionals. Over the course of several conversations, I met three accomplished women at the top of their fields in business and politics, who shared their personal career paths as well as their knowledge of their respective fields.
Attending the GAC 2025 was definitely another highlight of my time at the UAS7 New York office. The goal of the conference to open international dialogue across boarders relates closely to my internship and highlights how academic communities can contribute to diplomacy, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding.This encouraged me to seize this opportunity and not only attend the conference but actively partake in the discussions and conversations. Seeing my fellow students’ motivation and dedication reminded me that transatlantic cooperation is not only an abstract concept to be studied in class, but a living dialogue shaped by the people who engage in it. I am grateful to have been part of this year’s event and will carry many of the insights and connections forward into my internship during the months to come.
