Former ambassador to address ‘Why Europe Matters’

John Kornblum, former U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, will discuss “Why Europe Matters” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Cone University Center, Room 210, as part of the 2019 International Speaker Series.

Kornblum’s distinguished career in the United States Foreign Service began in 1964, shortly after his graduation from Michigan State University. During his tenure, he served in Europe and in the U.S. State Department, and he is considered one of the leading experts on transatlantic economic and political affairs.

As ambassador to Germany (1997 to 2001), Kornblum served during reunification of the German government, when the West German capital of Bonn moved to a reunited Berlin.

As a specialist in European and East-West relations, Kornblum played a role in a number of events leading up to the end of the Cold War, including the Belgrade Conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) from 1977 to 1978, President Reagan’s 1987 appearance at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Helsinki Summit Conference of the OSCE (1992), the Dayton Agreement on the Balkans (1995), enlargement of NATO (1997), the post-Cold War security settlement with Russia and Ukraine and the agreement on compensation of slave laborers and establishment of the Reconciliation Foundation of German Industry (2000).

Faculty are encouraged to reserve space to attend with their classes and/or arrange for an extra-credit sign-in sheet for students; email globaleducation@uncc.edu. Individual RSVPs also are requested.

The Office of International Programs, in conjunction with the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, Atkins Library, the Department of Global Studies, sponsors the International Speaker Series.