“The scientist who became a world leader,” as she was introduced recently at Harvard University, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Freie Universität on June 26, 2019, where she officially opened the annual meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which was takng place in the Henry Ford Building.

Professor Günter M. Ziegler, the president of Freie Universität Berlin, hosted the kick-off of the annual conference. He warmly welcomed Chancellor Merkel in the Max Kade Auditorium.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Ziegler emphasized the importance of worldwide networks, pointing out that the founding of Freie Universität after World War II would not have been possible without international support.

He also recalled that 56 years ago to the day, on June 26, 1963, and barely 30 yards away, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, after giving his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech at the Berlin City Hall, stood in front of the Henry Ford Building in Dahlem and addressed members and friends of Freie Universität, urging them to educate citizens of the world.