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Excerpts from the visit of the Burundian king to Stuttgart © State Archives of Baden-Württemberg
More than 40 years of partnership – a shared future.
Baden-Württemberg and Burundi have been walking a common path for more than 40 years!
What began with isolated contacts between people has developed over the last 40 years into a permanent network of active and committed people. However, one constant runs through the entire partnership: people from both regions have joined forces and thus enabled a bond of friendship and partnership. In over 40 years 947 people were involved as an NGO, institution, expert or individual actively supports the partnership. Since 2012, more than 150 projects have been funded by and with Burundian partner organizations.
Due to the shared colonial history, the beginning of relations between the two regions cannot be reduced to a single date or event. Rather, it is characterized by political visits and return visits, civil society cooperation and personal relationships. Along this timeline, you can find individual important moments of the partnership over time:
Beginning of relations between the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart and partners in Burundi for pastoral care, partnership projects and mission.
Visit of the King of Burundi Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge in Stuttgart in the Villa Reizenstein.
Here: in conversation with partners from Baden-Württemberg © State Archives of Baden-Württemberg
Visit of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Burundi, Prof. Emile Mworoha in Baden-Württemberg.
Visit of Burundian President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza with Prime Minister Lothar Späth.
Invitation of the then President of the State Parliament Erich Schneider to Burundi by the President of the National Assembly of Burundi, Prof. Emile Mworoha.
Delegation trip of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg to Burundi.
Here: the Governor of Kayanza, Prof. Emile Mworoha, Erich Schneider and his wife Gretel Schneider in Kayanza (from left to right) ©Private archive of Prof. Emile Mworoha
Start of the Gengenbach-Kayanza hospital partnership.
Start of the School partnership between the École Polyvalente Carolus Magnus in Kajaga and the European School KarlsruheVisits, exchanges and donations form its core.
Establishing the Coordination office for the partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi at the SEZ.
The "Café du Burundi" from the Burundian cooperatives of COCOCA is being exported to Baden-Württemberg for the first time by WeltPartner eG.
Start of German courses at the Université du Burundi. Since the launch, 1641 people have successfully completed the courses.
Signing of the partnership agreement between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi.
Here: Group photo with Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann and the then Minister for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, Laurent Kavakure.
© State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg
founding of the association Burundian Diaspora in Germany (BDD) eV
Start of the funding line works! Burundi for projects in Burundi focusing on peace work, young people and economic empowerment.
international exchange project for female journalists from Burundi, Germany and Tunisia.
opening of the liaison office of the SEZ in Bujumbura.
A delegation from Baden-Württemberg travels to Burundi with State Secretary Rudi Hoogvliet.
anniversary year with mutual visits and anniversary celebrations in Baden-Württemberg and Burundi to deepen and publicize the partnership.
Here: The Burundian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Albert Shingiro (centre), cuts an anniversary cake at the Fair Trade trade fair in Stuttgart together with Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, Agriculture Minister Peter Hauk and Philipp Keil, Managing Director of the SEZ, (from right to left).
© SEZ / Fotonoid
2024 was a special year for the AMAHORO! partnership. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the partnership. The occasion? The invitation of the then President of the State Parliament, Erich Schneider, to Burundi by the then President of the National Assembly of Burundi, Prof. Emile Mworoha.
“Inzira ntibara inkuru – On a journey you encounter a multitude of stories”
This Burundian proverb illustrates it vividly: the relationships of the state partnership have produced and continue to produce a multitude of stories. In order to celebrate these stories and work together towards a future, a series of events and activities took place in Baden-Württemberg and Burundi. They reflected the network's keen interest and commitment.
We say THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of this anniversary!
We look back with joy at some of the highlights of this anniversary:
History of the AMAHORO! Partnership
Team
Cluster of the AMAHORO! State Partnership
AMAHORO Burundi – the traveling exhibition
Event series
project funding
Burundi in class
Burundi coffee
Network map
Input and materials for partnership work
SEZ publications