Rotary Cologne Charity Dinner

to benefit ShelterBox Germany

Under the theme “German Reunification – A Retrospective,” which served as the event’s highlight, the Rotary e-Club Cologne hosted its second charity dinner on November 3, featuring an autumnal game dish. The dinner took place in the casino of the German Air Force barracks in Cologne-Wahn.

The contemporary witness

Dr. Hans Reckers, former Executive Board member of the Deutsche Bundesbank and fellow of the Rotary Club of Bornheim, took more than 30 guests – including four members of the RAC Cologne, led by their president, Doreen Heuer, who had been invited by Rotarians from our club – on a journey through the period immediately before and after German reunification.

Our evening’s speaker, our Rotarian friend Dr. Reckers (Rotary Club Bornheim)

Drawing on his experience at the Federal Ministry of Defense, at the Federal Chancellery in 1989-90, and then, beginning in October 1990, as State Secretary in the Saxon Ministry of Finance, all of which were roles situated within the inner political circle of Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl – he provided his audience with background information on the process of reunification in the financial sector, illustrated, among other things, by the restructuring of the financial administrations.

The reunification process

Also noteworthy was an insight into the various considerations regarding the structure of the reunification process. At the time, for example, there was brief consideration of the possibility of establishing a transition period of up to five years for reunification, including the establishment of the necessary structures and institutions – an approach that, however, did not enjoy majority support within the federal government at the time and was subsequently quickly discarded.

Current Context

In the concluding part of his remarks, Dr. Reckers drew a connection between the reunification process, developments in the years that followed, and political developments related to the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as well as the Senate elections in Berlin. It was precisely this aspect that became the focus of a lively question-and-answer session following the lecture.

Many of the more senior guests in the hall, in particular, were reminded of their own personal memories and experiences from that time.

Fundraising

The four-figure donation raised through the event will benefit the organization ShelterBox Germany e.V.

About ShelterBox

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief organization founded in 2000 by a Rotary Club in Cornwall. It helps people worldwide who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, or political conflicts and wars. It provides emergency shelter, such as tents, as well as tarps, tools, water filters, solar lamps, and warm blankets – essential relief supplies for a fresh start, because:

No one should be left homeless after a disaster!

From left to right: Past President of the Rotary e-Club Cologne, Dr. Rüdiger Tiedemann; President of the Rotaract Club Cologne, Doreen Heuer; the evening’s guest speaker, Dr. Hans Reckers; Rotary Club Bornheim

Our gratitude

The club would like to extend special thanks to the evening’s guest speaker, Rotarian Dr. Hans Reckers, as well as to the Rotary Club of Troisdorf, which was represented by many members at this event.

Acknowledgements

“A heartfelt thank you to the Rotary e-Club Cologne and to all the guests at the benefit dinner! With your generous support, you are helping families who have lost their homes in a disaster to once again have a safe roof over their heads. An evening dedicated to German reunification – that is, to solidarity and new beginnings – enables people elsewhere in the world to make a fresh start of their own – that’s what I particularly appreciate.” ~ Annette Rost, Executive Director of ShelterBox Germany e.V.