World Diversity Leadership Summit

Austrian Steering Committee visits the U.S.
After a unique and inspiring kick-off in Boston, the WDLS-EU Steering Committee was warmly welcomed in Washington D.C. at the Austrian Embassy by Deputy Chief of Mission Andreas Riecken and Alice Irvin, Director of the Austrian Press and Information Service.

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Hannes Richter
Austrian Foreign Minister speaks at SAIS

SAISForeign Minister Michael Spindelegger delivered a talk titled “Present Challenges: an Austrian Perspective” at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School for Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. on Friday, October 29, 2010.

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Hannes Richter
bridges Lecture Series Event

“A Debate on Global Climate Change Policy” with Roger A. Pielke Jr.

The Office of Science and Technology (OST) at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosted a debate on Global Climate Change Policy with Roger A. Pielke Jr., Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and bridges columnist, on the occasion of his new book: “The Climate Fix: What Scientists and Politicians Won’t Tell you About Global Warming.”

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Hannes Richter
In Service of Maintaining International Peace and Security

Austria's membership in the U.N. Security Council 2009/2010

by Verena Nowotny

Security CouncilAt the end of the two year membership in the United Nations Security Council, it is time to look back and take stock of Austria’s work in this important forum. During her membership Austria defined clear priorities: the rule of law, the protection of civilians, and Vienna as a platform for dialogue.

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Hannes Richter
Austria and the U.S. Deepen Their Relationsship

Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hold bilateral meeting at the State Department

by Anja Mayer

It may have been his first time to visit the Department of State, but it certainly was not Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger’s first meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was actually their third meeting within a few weeks, and the second one on the same day.

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Hannes Richter
Fantastic Realism

Austrian Art Movement finds a home in Vienna's Fantastic Art Museum

by Maggie-Gambill-Koebele

As one of the defining modern art movements of post-war Austria, Fantastic Realism has assumed an internationally recognized place in modern Western art. Founded in 1949 by a group known as the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, the art form combines religious and esoteric symbolism with elements of psychoanalysis. Sharing an affinity to Surrealism and Magic Realism, its themes are characterized by subtle compositions of fantastic, imaginary creatures or human forms, often elongated or exaggerated, positioned in imaginative and complex poses.

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Hannes Richter
Mobile Retreat Space

On Retreat: Alfredo Barsuglia at the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington

by Jasper Sharp

For a period of 13 weeks during the fall  of this year, three handbuilt architectural modules took temporary possession of the concert hall within the Austrian Embassy Washington. Part art object, part inhabitable utilitarian structure, the compact and variously sized units - bathroom, bedroom and living room - have been conceived and constructed to provide sanctuary to their maker, the artist Alfredo Barsuglia. Mobile Retreat Space is a prototype domestic environment on wheels. Its exteriors of rough, untreated plywood contrast markedly with the individually wallpapered and furnished interiors, disarming in their familiarity. A single power cable connects the structure to its 'host', the concert hall, like a nascent child to its protective mother.

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Hannes Richter
Crescent City Connection

The Crescent City Connection in New Orleans refers to the iconic Mississippi river bridge that connects downtown New Orleans on the east bank of the river with the Algiers neighborhood on the west bank. It also serves as a symbolic marker for this year’s meeting of the Centers for Austrian Studies, hosted by CenterAustria at the University of New Orleans between October 27-30, 2010. After Austrian Centers in Minneapolis, Edmonton, and Jerusalem hosted the previous meetings, it was New Orleans’ turn to welcome Center directors along with graduate students to the Crescent City.

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Hannes Richter
Falling in Love with Dürnstein

DuernsteinFalling in love with Dürnstein is easy. That is: if you are not Richard the Lionhearted – the young and prolific King of England. Answering the call of Pope Urban II, Richard had just fought in the third crusade and was returning to England. He had to exercise extreme caution for rumors were circulating that in the Holy Roman Empire at that time many influential forces, perhaps the emperor himself, desired his arrest.

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Hannes Richter
2011 Summer Schools in Austria

Austria may be a small country but it has a lot to offer. American students interested in studying in Austria over summer should have a look at our list of summer programs at Austrian faculties.  Whether your academic focus is on law, economics, communications or arts, Austrian summer schools offer a diverse program for every need.

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Hannes Richter
California: Governor Schwarzenegger Meets Austrian Automotive Experts

Austrian delegation visits alternative propulsion and sustainable mobility companies

by Margit Mills

Austrian companies have technological advantages in some areas, but have to improve in how they present their competencies” said Governor Schwarzenegger to a group of Austrian automotive executives whilst visiting in Sacramento. The state of California wants to position itself as a leader in the alternative propulsion race. In December 2010, twenty-two Austrian industry leaders went to California to experience firsthand how US carmakers plan to achieve lower emissions and higher fuel economy.

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Hannes Richter