Guernsey Young Ambassadors to Meet With Visiting German Ambassador
Eight local students who have been selected to represent Guernsey during a trip to Germany later this year will meet with the German Ambassador to the UK, who is visiting the island next week.
The students, who were chosen to represent the Bailiwick as part of the Deutsche Bank-sponsored ‘Guernsey Young Ambassadors’ scheme this year, are due to meet German Ambassador Georg Boomgaarden, who will be accompanied by Baron Joachim Marshall von Bieberstein, Head of Economic Affairs at the German Embassy, at a presentation on Wednesday 19th September at St James starting at 11am.
Launched earlier this year by the Guernsey Friends of Biberach, the scheme aims to build positive relations between Guernsey and the town of Biberach in south Germany, the location of an internment camp where a large number of Islanders were sent during the Occupation.
Hosted by the Guernsey Friends of Biberach’s Ken Wheeler, the presentation will be attended by the two German officials and act as a briefing session for the students ahead of a week-long trip to Biberach from 20th October. During the students’ visit, they will spend time at a local secondary school, travel to sites of interest, including the internment camp, and promote Guernsey as a holiday destination.
The students selected as Guernsey Young Ambassadors are George Russell (St Sampsons), Amelia Falla (Grammar School), William McVean (Grammar School), Rachel Datta (Ladies College), Peter Sandwith (Elizabeth College), George Collennette (La Mare de Carteret High), Amelia Brackley (La Mare de Carteret High) and Beth Gabriel (Les Beaucamps High). The trip will be particularly poignant for two of the Young Ambassadors, whose grandparents were sent to Biberach during the Occupation.
The Guernsey Young Ambassadors were selected earlier this year from students at schools across the Island, who were nominated by their teachers and interviewed by Ken Wheeler and Chris Betley, Honorary German Consul.
Andreas Tautscher, Chief Country Officer, Deutsche Bank Channel Islands, commented:
“I am extremely proud to be involved in this scheme, given Deutsche Bank’s roots in Germany and our presence in Guernsey. Exploring cultural identity is so important, and what better way to do that than by drawing on the enthusiasm of local young people so that future generations will better understand the ever-evolving relationship between Biberach and Guernsey.”
Ken Wheeler added:
“Our Young Ambassadors are all excited about their trip to Biberach next month and representing Guernsey abroad. This presentation will be a chance for us to discuss what the students expect to get out of the trip and at the same time meet our distinguished visiting German guests. The relationship between Guernsey and Biberach is a really important one and I very much hope that this trip will be the first in an ongoing programme of visits.”
