On the occasion of the 90th birthday of Mr. Erich Schneider, former President of the State Parliament. D., in Burgstetten in August 2023: SEZ Managing Director Mr. Philipp Keil next to Mr. Erich Schneider and Ms. State Parliament President Muhterem Aras (from left to right) in Burgstetten. ©Municipality of Burgstetten
Erich Schneider as a pioneer of the Amahoro! State partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi
On February 8th, 2024, our long-time friend and supporter, Mr. Erich Schneider, President of the State Parliament and Mayor (retired). D., deceased. Schneider was President of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament from 1982 to 1992 and, together with Erwin Teufel, the former parliamentary group leader of the CDU state parliamentary group, promoted the establishment of the Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation.
Schneider has been committed to our partner country Burundi since his time in the state parliament and has also actively promoted this commitment under the umbrella of the Christian Youth Village Association of Germany (CJD). This led to the creation of the Erich Schneider Foundation Fund Burundi in 2006, which supports projects for the education and training of young people in the East African country.
With his commitment to Burundi, Schneider initiated the Amahoro state partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi, whose more than 40th anniversary we are celebrating this year.
Philipp Keil, Managing Director of the SEZ, honored Erich Schneider as a pioneer for this partnership at the 90th birthday celebrations in Burgstetten and expressed his gratitude for his long-standing commitment to Burundi in the following words:
Once thought in Baden-Württemberg,
A partnership was created, beautifully done.
It was Mr Schneider, President of the State Parliament, who gave it as a gift,
The ties with Burundi that guided us today.
Now we are celebrating his 90th birthday
A life full of impact, big and fine.
The state partnership, a legacy so worth
For peace and friendship that adores us.
Thanks to Mr. Schneider, we stand hand in hand,
Connected to Burundi, in a distant land.
The years pass, but the friendship remains,
A bond of hearts that will always accompany and teach us.
So we raise a glass and sing a song,
For Mr. State Parliament President Schneider, full of gratitude.
A life full of deeds, a heart full of kindness,
We congratulate you on 90 years today!
We remain deeply grateful for Mr. Erich Schneider as a pioneer of the Amahoro state partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi.
