Peter Rothen took up the position as Germany's Consul General in San Francisco in July, 2009. Preceeding this appointment, he spent a year at Harvard University as Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. He is accompanied by his wife Gerlind and their daughter Patricia, while their two sons attend university in Germany.
Born and raised in Bonn (Rhineland), he studied Economics at the Universities of Bonn and Nuremberg. After obtaining an MBA, he worked for two years as a research assistant in Paris/France before joining the German Foreign Service in 1980.
He has worked extensively on multilateral issues, his most recent assignment being Director for International Human Rights Policy at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Previous appointments were Head of the Political Department of Germany's Permanent Representation at the United Nations' Office in Geneva/Switzerland (from 1999 – 2003), Deputy Director at the Foreign Ministry's Directorate-General for European Union Affairs (1995 – 1999). Earlier postings were in the Foreign Minister's Press Office and at the German Embassies in London/UK, Pretoria/South Africa and Prague/Czech Republic.
He will speak about the German election which is taking place this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.