18.09.2023

Helge Lindh consulting with UEM

On a visit to UEM's mission house. From left to right: Rev. Volker Martin Dally, UEM General Secretary; Rev. Dr. Andar Parlindungan, Executive Secretary Training & Empowerment; Helge Lindh, Member of Parliament; Dr. Jochen Motte, Executive Secretary Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Dr. Diyah Ayu Krismawati, Executive Secretary Asia and Germany, Timo Pauler, Executive Secretary Finance and Administration. Photo by: Martina Pauly, UEM

In the Museum on the Hardt, visiting the Museum and Archives Foundation. From left to right: Julia Besten, Christian Froese, Helge Lindh. Photo by: Martina Pauly, UEM

Helge Lindh, member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) has visited UEM in its Mission House in Wuppertal. The Social Democrat was received by UEM’s Management Team and the head of the Archives’ and Museums’ Foundation.

In conversation with the Management Team, one of the main topics was visa processes in German authorities: International organisations like the UEM depend on seamless support from the authorities responsible for visa. Without these, UEM can’t do its work, because programmes and seminars often include guests and participants from a variety of countries.

At the same time, UEM can be a valuable partner for the German government, providing knowledge regarding the countries where UEM has its member churches.

Another point of concern was export of weapon systems by Germany: UEM’s Management Team made it clear that UEM doesn’t approve of these exports, leading to war and armed conflict.

After his visit to the Mission House, Lindh was invited to UEM’s Museum on the Hardt, where the history of UEM and its member churches is portrayed in images and objects. Here he discussed with Julia Besten, Head of the Archives and Museums Foundation, and Christian Froese, Archivist of the Foundation, future dialogue on "Dealing with Colonialism" as well as possible cooperation.