On June 30 and July 1st, 2017, the Raiffeisen Symposium at Schloss Montabaur, the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG), explored the co-operative idea of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen. The approximately 80 participants and academics discussed the economic innovation and social orientation of the cooperative idea and the relevance of cooperatives to present times. The guests were invited by the German Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Society and Prof. Dr. Theresia Theurl, Managing Director of the Institute for Cooperative Studies at the Westphalian Wilhelm University of Münster.
“What cannot be one by one, can be done by many.” Werner Böhnke, chairman of the German Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Society, recalled the life guideline of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen and looked ahead to the Raiffeisen year 2018. The anniversary year is an opportunity for cooperatives to recall the origin, development and fascination of the cooperative idea.
The academics and participants came from the USA, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and from across Germany. In several lectures and two panel discussions, they presented and debated Raiffeisen’s cooperative idea, the opportunities offered by the cooperatives business model and the practical experience with newly founded cooperatives.
Cooperatives are our todays’ popular types of enterprises, explained Josef Zolk, deputy chairman of the German Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Society. “People know that team spirit and not profit is at the forefront”. Daniela Schmitt, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, praised the work of the numerous cooperatives: “We have a lively cooperative culture in Rhineland-Palatinate. In many areas, the cooperatives have been active for more than 100 years and are working on solutions for the challenges of our time. They recognize and take advantage of future potentials and thus make a valuable contribution to the community, “says Schmitt.
See the picture gallery on the campaign website
Source:
Raiffeisen 2018 Organisationsbüro
Andreas Eder
Phone: +49 (0)30 308811 41
Mail: andreas.eder@raiffeisen2018.de
Source Picture:
ADG – Akademie Deutscher Genossenschaften, Montabaur
