E-MEETING: Europe Reopens

Four months ago, the coronavirus came over us. After the initial shock and despite highly politicized debates on both sides of the Atlantic, countries have started charting the course towards economic recovery. With the reopening of society, a “new normal” is taking shape. Turns out, many challenges are similar in California and the EU Member States. German Consul General Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, an active member of our Club, will address the ways in which Germany and other European countries are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a two-year, internal training in the Federal Foreign Office and a commitment in the Ministry, Consul General Südbeck's first postings abroad took him to The Hague (1994-1997) and to Kiev (1997-2000). From 2000-2003, he worked in the Western Balkans Division in the Foreign Office in Berlin, followed by a post at the German Representation to the EU in Brussels, where he focused on the Western Balkans and on EU-Civilian Crisis Management missions (2003-2005). 

He then joined the European Department of Foreign Ministry in Berlin as the Deputy Head of the Division on EU Internal Market Issues (2005-2007) and as Deputy Head of the Division for Northern EU Member States (2007-2009). Between 2009-2012, he served as Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. From 2012 until 2013 he served as the Senior Civilian Representative in Regional Command North in Masar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Südbeck returned to the Federal Foreign Ministry in Berlin in 2013 and headed the Western Balkans Division until the summer of 2017. He assumed his position as German Consul General in San Francisco in August 2017.

Consul General Südbeck holds a Master’s degree in History, English Studies and African Studies.

This is a regular membership meeting of The Rotary Club of San Francisco, open to all Rotarians, visiting Rotarians, prospective members, and guests. The meeting is free, but you must register by 11 AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Connection information will be provided only to those who register by the above deadline. For technical support, please contact Secretary Dora Dye before 10:30 AM on July 14, 2020.

Meeting Schedule:

12:00 Noon: Log in or dial in

12:15 PM: Meeting begins

1:30 PM: Meeting adjourns