Departments

The Embassy's departments work together to support the Ambassador in his mission. Below you'll find brief descriptions of each department as well as links to real life embassy employees describing their work.

Political Department
The Political Department gives the German government a timely and comprehensive view of US foreign and domestic policy based on contacts with the US administration, Congress, state governments and non-governmental experts. In addition, political officers inform their American partners about German political developments, particularly in foreign policy.

Cultural Department
The embassy's Cultural Department coordinates German cultural policy in the United States, promotes German language and German studies in the US and supports exchange programs. Within its consular district, the Cultural Department organizes and supports a variety of cultural events. However, requests for support of specific events should first be directed to the Goethe Institut.

Economic and Science Department
The Economic and Science Department covers a wide array of topics, ranging from core economic issues, such as trade and business relations, to financial, agricultural, and transport subjects, as well as science, technology, and the environment. It is our mission to maintain and further strengthen the close relationship with the U.S. administration, Congress, and businesses and nongovernmental organizations in the mentioned fields, as well as to serve as a point of contact for German enterprises and associations conducting business in the U.S

Consular and Legal Section
The embassy's Consular and Legal Section performs administrative services such as issuing visas for travel to Germany. The Section also issues passports to German citizens who reside in the US, provides limited legal assistance to German citizens and tracks American legal issues that are of interest to Germany.

Department for Press, Information and Public Diplomacy
The Department for Press, Information and Public Diplomacy provides information on German government policy, as well as general information on Germany. Press officers act as spokespeople for the embassy and maintain regular contact with the American media. They also support the efforts of German correspondents working in the US. Embassy press officers are available for speaking engagements. Read about the work of Press Attaché Dr. José B. Schulz.

Defense Attaché Staff
The embassy's Defense Attaché Staff advises the ambassador on defense policy and military affairs. It also manages the information flow between the Pentagon and the German Government. Each of the three military services is represented: Army, Navy and Air Force. The Defense Attaché Staff also includes the civilian Defense Research, Development and Acquisition (RD&A) section. Assistant Air Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Heiko von Roeder tells you about his work.

Administration
The Administration Office of the embassy is responsible for managing the embassy's internal day-to-day operations. It handles the embassy's personnel, business, communications, maintenance and security needs. Third Secretary Thomas Hemmersbach tells about his work managing the Embassy's telecommunications and information technology.

German Information Center
The German Infomation Center, part of the Embassy and closely cooperating with the Department for Press, Information and Public Affairs, is dedicated to offering American's a window on modern Germany and to enhance their knowledge about the strong links between Germany and the United States. It provides information concerning German politics, business and cultural affairs.

Advanced Search    Help

Ambassador
The Ambassador is Germany's highest-ranking representative to the American government. Ambassador Dr. Klaus Scharioth arrived in Washington March 13, 2006, to take on his post.

Johannes Haindl is the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), the second in charge.

DCM Curriculum vitae

DCM Curriculum vitae (In German)

Departments
Political Department
Cultural Department
Economic and Science Department
Consular and Legal Section
Department for Press, Information and Public Affairs
Defense Attaché Staff
Administration
German Information Center
Consular and Legal Services
The Chancery
The Residence
Direction and Contacts
Hours of Operation

Subscribe Here You can also read the current issues here.

Printer-Friendly Page