Environment

The non-profit association "Bund für Bildung" translates socially relevant issues into educational projects. The focus is on issues of inclusion, participation and democracy.

The Bavarian State Center for Political Education serves the purpose to support and strengthen the philosophy of a liberal democratic  system of government in the knowledge of the population as a non-partisan organization. To realize this purpose the Bavarian State Center offers a wide range of publications und educational programs for different target groups and cooperates with other organizations, that attend to civic education and further education.

Arche noVa is an aid organisation that sets up humanitarian aid projects (Syrien, Irak, Libanon, Ukraine), development cooperation projects (Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippinen, Uganda, Äthiopien, Somalia, Mali, Kenia) as well as development education in the form of school projects on topics such as ‘water’, ‘world trade and globalisation’, ‘(international) conflicts’ and ‘humanitarian aid’.

The UNi-Group was founded in 1988, is comprised of students from Berlin and Potsdam and associated with the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN), chapter Berlin-Brandenburg. Our student organisation is represented by two permanent seats within the executive committee of the DGVN (www.dgvn-berlin.de).

We are financially as well as organisationally independent. Often are our members also part of the DGVN, however that poses no prerequisite for any voluntary work within our university group. Additionally, the UNi-Group is founding member of the United Nations Youth Association Germany - JUNON - (see further activities), a network of young UN-groups from all over Germany.

The purpose of the UNi-Group is to integrate the United Nations as well as events of international politics into everyday life, reseach and teachings at universities and schools through regular debate and information. We offer political education for the wider public, through which also our own members gain the opportunity to obtain further information about the UN and a better understanding for international politics, conflicts, communication and different approaches.

Furthermore, the UNi-Group is politically independent. The group is meant to be an association of young people who identify themselves with aforementioned objectives and are willing to pursue these intentions actively. The own enthusiasm for the ideals of the United Nations is our drive at all times. However, ensuing from this motivation we accompany and observe the development and work of the United Nations critically as well.

Gepa: A Story of Success in Fair Trade

"Jute instead of plastic." This is the slogan that made the Gepa well known. In May of 1975, the two big ecclesiastical denominations in Germany founded the "society for the promotion of partnerships with the Third World" (gepa) in Wuppertal, Germany. Since then the gepa has developed into the largest fair trade organization in Europe with a turnover of more than 36 million Euros for the financial year 2003/2004. The gepa is also a member of an international fair trade network that is committed to the observance of binding principles like fair prices, long-term trade relations, consulting on developing products and organic farming. In this manner the gepa improves the living conditions of people in the South in accordance with the Agenda 21 program established by the UN economic, social and ecological sustainability.

More than 100,000 volunteers work in Third World shops and action groups. In addition, a large number of consumers has been acknowledging the high quality work of the gepa's trade partners by buying Fair Trade products. The gepa transfers about 15 Million US dollars annually for food products such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, or crafted products such as footballs, baskets or stainless steel kitchen tools for the approximately 150 farm cooperatives and socially committed private corporations in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

In addition to Third World shops and action groups, gepa products are also available in many supermarkets, natural food shops, company canteens and education centers throughout Germany. You can order coffee, tea, chocolate or organically grown wine directly at www.gepa.de.