Visit to Los Angeles and San Francisco

Topic: Report

17 June 2018

The Federal President 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. He also gave the opening speech at the conference The Struggle for Democracy. In San Francisco and Silicon Valley he talked to experts about the challenges posed by the digital revolution. Thereafter, he met Jerry Brown, the Governor of California, and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender are guided through the former study of writer Thomas Mann by grandchild Fridolin Mann and his wife during the opening of the Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles

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 conference The 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 on Shaping 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 of German Accelerator and representatives from German startups
  • Evening
    Flight to Berlin

Thursday, 21 June

  • Afternoon
    Arrival in Berlin