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The Federation of German-American Clubs (Verband Deutsch-Amerikanischer Clubs e.V., VDAC) was founded in 1948 and currently consists of 31 local clubs〔(''Clubs - ''Official Website ). Federation of German-American Clubs. Accessed June 10, 2012.〕 from all over Germany. The Federation is committed to fostering cultural exchange and cooperation between the U.S. and Germany. Student- and youth exchange programs belong to their projects.〔(''Wir über uns - ''New Website ). Federation of German-American Clubs. Accessed June 10, 2012.〕 == History == In 1946, Merle A. Potter, a US-Army Captain, and Prince Louis Ferdinand von Preussen founded the "Bad Kissingen Cosmopolitan Club", the first German-American club, which then was closed again soon after the prohibition of fraternization took effect. Potter was ordered to Ansbach to work with the military government. After James F. Burch's famous "Restatement of Policy on Germany"-speech in 1946, the prohibition of fraternization was overruled under military governor Lucius D. Clay. In the following year, Clay ordered that Potter would be founding various German-American clubs in the American sector. In September 1947, Major Potter invited the newly founded German-American clubs to a first meeting in Heidelberg. Through a telegram, General Clay sent his regards to the delegates, expressing that "democracy can only grow through friendship, understanding and discussion, and the military government supports the meeting of leading American and German individuals". In June 1948 the second conference took place in Bad Kissingen. 17 clubs, including 2 women's clubs, attended. The foundation of a head organization, named "FEDERATION OF GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIAL DISCUSSION CLUBS", was decided. At another meeting in Munich in May 1949, the organization was renamed "FEDERATION OF GERMAN-AMERICAN CLUBS" (Verband Deutsch-Amerikanischer Clubs). This term is being used to the present day. In 1957, the student exchange program "A Bridge Across the Atlantic Ocean" was started. Its purpose was to intensify the cultural exchange between the young generations in Germany and the United States. In 1958, another youth exchange program was introduced as a new project, giving students between the age of 14 and 18 a chance to visit Germany or the United States. In 1980, the Federation granted the "Lucius D. Clay-Medal" to John Jay McCloy. The Medal since has been awarded annually to individuals that have contributed to German-American Friendship. As of today, the Federation consists of 31 clubs and has offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco.〔(''The Federation's History - ''Official Website'' ). Federation of German-American Clubs. Accessed June 10, 2012.〕〔Timetable. Information brochure of the Federation of German-American Clubs.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Federation of German-American Clubs」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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