Introducing the SHS Foundation from Saarland.
March 14, 2021, Vancouver, BC, The SHS Foundation, a public-private partnership, wants to promote Saarland as an economic and cultural region of interest to all 193 member states of the United Nations (UN). Their goal is to bring the people of Saarland together socially, culturally and economically wherever they happen to reside.
One of their most effective methods of reaching the right people is to set up virtual Saarland Offices and Saarland Ambassadors in every country in the UN. They are hoping to build a bridge that connects everyone living in Saarland, as well as to anyone who once lived, worked or studied there.
In October 2020, Monya Gregorius from the DKG (Deutsch-Kandische Gesellschaft) and Michael Hartz from the SHS Foundation contacted me after publishing my book “75 German-Speaking Influential People in Western Canada”. The interview that followed is available here: https://www.dkg-online.de/unser-neuestes-interview-mit-autorin-elke-porter/
At this point Michael Hartz introduced the SHS Foundation and asked me to consider being an Ambassador for Saarland in Vancouver. The mission of the SHS Foundation is that “Saarland-Friends help Saarland-Friends worldwide”. Saarland ambassadors volunteer their time to support the development of a positive and innovative image of Saarland. Together or in individual campaigns, they support projects involving research, culture or sports with personal commitment and dedication.
In March 2021, I decided to accept the position of Virtual Saarland Ambassador “Saarlandbotschafter” by setting up a Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/westcoastsaarlandinformation. I also added a Saarlandbüro Vancouver page to my website “Westcoast German News.” The idea is to gradually expand my repertoire of services until a comprehensive travel guide for Saarlander coming to Vancouver or Vancouverites heading to Saarland is up and running.
Another service I offer are connections to the German-speaking organizations in Vancouver. As Secretary of the German-Canadian Business Association, Communications Assistant for the Eurofest BC Society and a member of the German Language Meetup Group, I pretty much know everyone or can easily reach them, if needed. I am also a member of the Vancouver Alpen Club and moderator of the “Germans in Vancouver” Facebook Page.
Finally, I have been involved in German media in Vancouver through my Westcoast German News Blog and magazine for the past 20 years in one way or another. I also have a blog I spend less time on called “European News”. These blogs allow me to reach, Austrian, German and Swiss “people, places and things” and have been a great platform to share interviews, stories and images of the many people I met along the way.
How can you get involved? If possible, we would appreciate your enthusiasm and suggestions for the newly hatched \”Saarlandbüro Vancouver\”. We would also appreciate you asking your friends if they or anyone in their circle came from Saarland. We are also open to sponsors, donors and other supporters, who can help us fulfil our mission. Finally, visit my page under “Kanada” on this website: https://www.shsfoundation.de/netzwerke/saarlandbueros/
Elke Porter
PS
For Membership or donation inquiries, please see this page: https://www.shsfoundation.de/netzwerke/shs-foundation-foerderverein-ev/