“A Perfect Match”: Official Closing of the NRW-USA Year at the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia

The Minister for Federal, European, and International Affairs and Media, and Head of the State Chancellery, announces:

With the aim of further strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the United States, the state government launched the NRW-USA Year in the summer of 2023 under the motto “A Perfect Match.” The official conclusion on German soil took place on October 11, 2024, in the Wandelhalle of the State Parliament, in the presence of many participants.

Minister Liminski stated: “We have achieved our goal of creating a platform for the people, companies, and associations whose dedication forms the foundation of the relationship between our two countries. From schools to businesses, associations, and municipalities, more than 100 partners actively supported the NRW-USA Year, bringing transatlantic friendship to life.

341 years after the first Germans emigrated from Krefeld to Pennsylvania, we have managed, through 102 events, to inject fresh energy into this unique partnership of values and economy. North Rhine-Westphalia and the United States share a rich history, and over the past few months, we have contributed to ensuring that we also share a bright future.

If relations between national governments ever become strained again, it is these local and regional partnerships, along with strong civil society ties, that will serve as the vital flames keeping the connection alive.”

The central hub of the NRW-USA Year was its dedicated website, www.nrw-usa.nrw. Visitors can explore over 100 blog posts detailing the diverse activities of NRW.

The NRW-USA Year featured major events such as the CHIO equestrian tournament in Aachen, held with partner country USA, as well as the closing reception in the garden of the German Embassy in Washington D.C. Equally valuable, yet often overlooked, were projects such as student exchanges and university collaborations. Supported by a comprehensive social media campaign, the NRW-USA Year reached over four million people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Berivan Aymaz, Vice President of the North Rhine-Westphalia Parliament, remarked as the host of the reception in the Landtag: “The transatlantic relations between North Rhine-Westphalia and the USA are characterized by strong networks, trusting partnerships, and close ties that extend far beyond mere economic connections. The NRW-USA Year has made this special and multifaceted relationship between our countries more visible and reinforced it. Through numerous joint events, we have particularly engaged young people and built new transatlantic alliances. We share the same democratic values of freedom, plurality, and equality, and our partnerships foster dialogue between our cultures. Especially in these challenging times, it is crucial to strengthen our liberal democracies through close transatlantic cooperation.”

A key partner of the NRW-USA Year has always been the U.S. Consulate in Düsseldorf. Its new Consul General, Preeti V. Shah, who took office only in August of this year, has witnessed just a small part of the events. However, her perspective on the overall outcome is positive: “This year has demonstrated how vibrant the German-American friendship is in North Rhine-Westphalia and how many people care about it. I am very much looking forward to contributing to its continued development over the next three years—there will always be NRW-USA moments in the future.”

Awards Ceremony for the Student Competition “Is It All Fake?”

During the closing event at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, the winners of the school competition “Is It All Fake?” were honored. Educational institutions from North Rhine-Westphalia and their American partner schools were invited to launch projects addressing misinformation in digital media.

The winners are Marie-Curie-Gymnasium Neuss (Category 1: Secondary Level I), Bettina-von-Arnim-Gymnasium Dormagen (Category 2: Secondary Level II / Vocational College), and Rurtal-Schule in the district of Heinsberg (Category 3: Special Needs School). Dr. Urban Mauer, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Schools of North Rhine-Westphalia, presented the awards to the winning schools, stating:

“The student competition has yielded creative ideas and impressive results. These demonstrate how many students are not only aware of the opportunities but also the risks associated with social media and various false content and news. It is important for peers to raise awareness among each other. By participating in the competition and engaging with this often challenging topic, the schools have also built bridges to American schools. Such societal connections between countries are of particular significance. We will continue to expand and strengthen these bridges through exchange programs and school partnerships.”

North Rhine-Westphalia and the USA

With over 1,700 companies, the USA is one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important trading partners and ranks among the largest foreign investors in the region. In addition to 33 municipal cooperations and city partnerships, there are also 110 school partnerships. To enhance these transatlantic connections, the government of North Rhine-Westphalia launched the NRW-USA Year. The official kickoff took place on June 22, 2023, with an inaugural event commemorating the 247th US Independence Day. Host Minister President Hendrik Wüst and former US Consul General Pauline Kao welcomed attendees, including then-US Ambassador Dr. Amy Gutmann and Minister Liminski, at the Ständehaus K21. For more information about the NRW-USA Year, visit www.nrw-usa.nrw.