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On the occasion of German Unity Day, the Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia together with the German-European School Singapore (GESS) cordially invites you to an evening event on the 2nd of October on "17 June 1953. 70 Years of the People's Uprising in the GDR". The event will start at 6 pm in the auditorium of the GESS in Singapore.

We are particularly pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Borchard, Head of the Department of Academic Services / Archive for Christian Democratic Policy (WD/ACDP) of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin. After a short film screening at the beginning about the popular uprising in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), there will be a comprehensive commentary provided by Mr. Borchard and a further illustration of the back-then political conditions in the GDR. Afterwards, Dr. Borchard will be available for a joint discussion. The event will close with a small reception.

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the German reunification. The peaceful protests in the GDR played a decisive role in initiating and paving the way for a reunification. After the fall of the Berlin Wall on 09 November 1989, the GDR officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany on 03 October 1990, marking German unity. On 02 October, we want look back at the journey of- and the heroic actions taken by the GDR citizens and draw on the extensive expertise of our speaker. The Day of German Unity and the courage of the protesters should serve as a constant reminder to always stand up for values such as freedom, democracy, participation and equality. For, as we know, a free and open society that cares for its citizens cannot be taken for granted. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation works nationally and internationally for peace, freedom and justice through political education. This idea serves a mission statement for our daily activities.

Fortunately, Mr. Borchard followed the invitation by the Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia to come to the region between the 1st and 8th of October to share his insights and deliver talks under the overall theme "Germany's (historical) role in the world". We greatly benefit from his wide knowledge, especially on issues of German history and reunification. In addition to several lecture events in Singapore, the programme also includes meetings with Korean actors in Seoul as for instance with the Ministry of Reunification and universities with a German Studies track.

Dr. Borchard has been the head of the WD/ACDP department since 2018. Between 2014 and 2017, he was responsible for the Foundation's country office in Israel, based in Jerusalem. Previously, Mr. Borchard worked as a speechwriter for former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Thuringian Prime Minister Bernhard Vogel, among others. Mr. Borchard possesses in-depth knowledge, particularly on the topics of state and society, federalism and civil society.