Berlin, Germany [APD, CD EUDNews]. November 7, 2014.
ADRA Germany, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency with headquarters in Weiterstadt near Darmstadt opened a central office in Berlin on November 4. In addition to five other organizations, ADRA took on the initiative of the Association of German Development NGOs (VENRO), and set up its own office on Stresemannstrasse 72. At the joint opening ceremony there were 150 guests made up of politicians and other citizens.
It is essential to successfully coordinate our efforts with partner organizations and the federal government, explained managing director Christian Molke, new ADRA Germany representative in Berlin.
Dr. Bernd Bornhorst, VENRO CEO, greeted the guests with a reference to the common office area, beginning with "A" as in ADRA and ending with "V" as in VENRO. Thus, it is very convenient for both offices to pull together resources and coordinate.
Dr. Gerd Müller (CSU), the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, pointed out "the increasing importance of the development and humanitarian NGOs. It is the responsibility of civil society to participate in the political decision-making process of the state."
During the subsequent tour of the various offices, the Federal Minister was particularly interested in the concept of "ADRAshops". Managing Director Molke, explained that projects in developing countries would be financed from the proceeds of quality second-hand items: "Our ADRAshops would support the social trend for sustainable resources and at the same time offer humanitarian aid."
ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) is an international non-government organization. ADRA Germany was founded in 1987 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Federal Republic. True to the motto "So that people can hope again", ADRA Germany works as a member of a global network of 134 national centres to prevent poverty and oppression in the more destitute countries of the world, said ADRA spokesman Martin Haase.
Picture: J. Naether, President of ADRA Germany Board; M. Haase, ADRA Spokesman; Dr. G. Müller, German Minister for Economic Cooperation; C. Molke, Director of ADRA Germany.(credit: APD)