Keyword: Philip Keil

In gratitude for Erich Schneider

Post Author From hawener
Post date February 28, 2024

On the occasion of Erich Schneider's 90th birthday: Philipp Keil, Erich Schneider and State Parliament President Muhterem Aras in Burgstetten on August 2, 2023

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.

Tags Eric Schneider, Philip Keil

BW-BURUNDI PARTNERSHIP SEZ

Philipp Keil and Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann in conversation

Post Author From Lenawimmer
Post date December 6, 2023

A special moment captured in pictures: Philipp Keil personally invites Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann to the partnership celebration between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi.

The most important message to Mr. Kretschmann that Philipp Keil was able to make clear during the conversation at Villa Reitzenstein is that development cooperation begins here in Baden-Württemberg and strengthens social cohesion.

The fact that Baden-Württemberg's connections to the world are diverse and that the commitment of associations, churches and municipalities represent international partnerships in Baden-Württemberg and complement the relationships in business and research was the broad framework that Philipp Keil spanned in the conversation. Partnerships between cities, communities, NGOs and associations enable encounters between south and north and bring people from Baden-Württemberg together with people all over the world. These development policy partnerships and content priorities are in the The country's development policy guidelines which the State Ministry developed together with civil society in a complex participation process. The Council for Development Cooperation advises the state government on its implementation and is coordinated by the SEZ.

Philipp Keil also brought to the conversation a different view of the African continent, of the BW-Burundi partnership and of what development means: that we in Baden-Württemberg, as world export champions, cannot of course live at the expense of others and, above all, in addition to natural resources must also recognize the value of ideas from partner countries. Our world, which is largely influenced by Western countries, has brought about climate change and has not resolved major conflicts to this day. We are currently facing particularly big challenges, which is why new ideas are urgently needed.

Philipp Keil took the Prime Minister with him on a change of perspective: it is a task for Baden-Württemberg to learn that our partner country Burundi is a fertile, traditional country with an innovative youth. That many people in Baden-Württemberg don’t even know about. And that a focus on ideas, people and opportunities for cooperation is a win-win for both sides. Because everyone knows the moment of enlightenment on vacation or, when you walk through your hometown with someone who doesn't know it yet: you suddenly see with different eyes.

Therefore, the invitation to the Prime Minister to celebrate the anniversary of the BW-Burundi partnership together with the State Ministry, the Baden-Württemberg state parliament and the Burundian and Baden-Württemberg protagonists of the partnership fell on fertile ground. As a gift, Philipp Keil brought the Prime Minister a small drum from Burundi, which represents a national landmark and is world-famous. Burundian drums and ritual dance convey cultural, political and social messages and bring people of different generations and backgrounds together to promote unity and social cohesion. The ritual dances and drums from Burundi have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

SEZ Board of Trustees

Philipp Keil is a guest on the podcast of the Baden-Württemberg state representation in Berlin

Development cooperation of the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg

Tags Prime Minister Kretschmann, Philip Keil, SEZ

SEZ BUSINESS

G-PAD Forum 2023: Politics meets Pan-Africanism

Post Author From hawener
Post date November 29, 2023

Speakers and visitors of G-PAD 2023 (from left to right): Mr. Philipp Keil (Managing Director of SEZ), HE Mr. Igor César (Ambassador of Rwanda), Timi Olanrewaju (LEAD Africa International eV), HE Ms. Alice Mashingaidze (Ambassador of Zimbabwe), HE Mr. Mbana Makina (Counsellor of Equatorial Guinea) © LEAD Africa International eV

On October 20, 2023, 250 participants of the Global Partnership for African Development (G-PAD) Forum 2023 met at the Baden-Württemberg State Representation in Berlin and online. This year's forum, with the theme "Africa's Outlook as an Emerging Global Market," invited the audience to exchange ideas about Africa's perspective as a future global market.

For the sixth time, LEAD Africa International eV has given speakers from various sectors and countries a platform to talk about Leadership, startups and a new image of Africa This year, in addition to representatives from politics, science and business, an activist voice was also heard – that of the renowned Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba.

Prof. PLO Lumumba stressed that everyone must ask themselves the question “In whose interest is the relationship?” when relationships and partnerships are discussed. Because Africa is and always has been a continent of interest for the West. But discussions in the West are not to the benefit of the continent, but are partly reminiscent of the Berlin Conference of 1884/1885. Prof. PLO Lumumba called for a new, different style of partnerships with Africa: not parasitic, but symbiotic.

The G-PAD Forum 2023 is characterized by the fact that uncomfortable and open words are heard alongside impulses from politics and business.

Also State Secretary Rudi Hoogvliet spoke in his welcoming speech of new partnerships. Because it is time for Germany to catch up with how other countries are in their relations with the continent. For far too long, they have leaned back and relied on old narratives. Africa is the continent of the future and therefore new partnerships are needed.

With this year’s G-PAD Forum in political Berlin, the organizer Timi Olanrewaju with the association LEAD Africa International eV, which he founded, he has gone a step further with regard to new partnerships, new friendships and fair cooperation.

We heard these statements at G-PAD 2023

For new partnerships in Germany or with German organizations, it must be clear what added value Africa offers – and Africa has a lot to offer.

Dr. Joy Alemazung

Mayor of the municipality of Heubach

Several countries in the Global North have already made assessments of Africa. Now it is time for Africa to find out for itself where the continent stands and what contribution Africa can and wants to make in new partnerships.

HE Igor César

Ambassador of Rwanda

'Nothing about us without us.' – It is time to work together to transform current challenges into opportunities and to do this we do not need any further strategies for Africa from outside.

SE Stone Sizani

Ambassador of South Africa

It is important for Germany to understand that Africa is not a humanitarian aid project, but requires long-term investments.

Prof. Brando Okolo

Head of the Steinbeis Consulting Center IMAPS

Pan-African impulses to Berlin

In addition to insights into previous and future partnerships, Prof. PLO Lumumba also addressed the current situation of pan-African cooperation. Africa has a duty to form alliances. Otherwise, it will just be jumping like a yo-yo from G20 to BRICS to G20 meetings. Pan-African institutions must therefore be strengthened and Africa itself must define itself, organize itself and identify its priorities. So that it can control the agenda itself and make itself heard. With Agenda 2063, the continent has the infrastructure for this, it must now be used and projects implemented.

He highlighted the important point that Africa must start to create added value and that pan-African meetings are necessary for this. But Africa never has discussions among itself, the meetings are always promoted by the GIZ and similar actors. This is why Prof. PLO Lumumba recently addressed a request to the West: “Leave us alone to discuss things alone!” The resulting results can then be used to exchange ideas again.

Prof. PLO Lumumba’s pan-African impulses were complemented by voices from the African diaspora, which honest and respectful exchange The G-PAD Forum 2023 provided a platform for this with the platform in the Baden-Württemberg State Representation.

cooperation partners

Your contact persons

SAMRAWIT PETROS

Strategy Partnerships & Africa Forum

LESLIE HAWENER

Management & Communications Officer

Tags G-PAD, Lead Africa International eV, Partnership work, Philip Keil, Timi Olanrewaju

Erich Schneider as a pioneer of the Amahoro! State partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi

We heard these statements at G-PAD 2023

Pan-African impulses to Berlin

cooperation partners

Your contact persons

SAMRAWIT PETROS

LESLIE HAWENER

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