On December 2nd, 2009, a delegation of MID students had the honor to visit the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and meet the German ambassador Dr. Michael Schafer. After a short tour through the recently renovated embassy, the ambassador received the students in his own residence to discuss issues relating to the embassy and the former government advisor's insights on current German and European foreign and security policy. During the one and a half hour Q&A, he shared his positive outlooks on the future of the European Union under the Lisbon Reform Treaty, which had just entered into force on the very day and allows for a strengthened role of a more democratic EU in the world. Furthermore, he welcomed a more inclusive international structure, symbolized by the forum of the G20. As the first international group to visit the embassy, all students were invited to sign the visitors's book, initiating future cooperation between the embassy and SPPM. By Olivia Gippner (MID 2009 exchange student)
