welcome – salām – shalom – hos geldiniz – ahoj – kalos órisate – teple pryvitannya – namaste – karibu!
A warm welcome to you!
Winner of the European Diplôme d’Honneur award from the Fondation du Mérite Européen
Latest news from 01.03.2026 (further information in the current newsletters):
Dear members and donors, dear people interested in our association’s activities,
After the end of the long cold spell, we can look forward to spring.
March is typically the beginning of spring with early bloomers such as crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils, the awakening of nature (birdsong, insects), longer days and rising temperatures, but also often still changeable weather with transitions between winter and spring. It is a time of awakening and new beginnings, symbolized by bright colors, the sprouting of green and the awakening of the animal world.
Of course, despite all the anticipation, the suffering of the people, especially in Ukraine, Gaza and now also in Iran, should not be forgotten. In these challenging times, it is very difficult for all of us not to give up hope for change and peace in the world.
Extended until the end of March: Daoud Nassar’s ToN tree planting campaign ( 150 trees planted so far ; target by the end of March 26: 600 trees) as a sign of hope for justice and peace. We are all invited to support this campaign not only by donating trees (€20 per tree with certificate, last newsletter in the archive), but also by actively helping to plant trees as volunteers until March 26 (see below).
Donations tripled to save the Birgittinnen convent on the Mount of Olives
Due to the current situation, we are once again urgently asking for donations to save the Birgittinnen Monastery on the Mount of Olives (see last newsletter), where part of the slope and large trees have already fallen or are still threatening to fall. In order to prevent damage to the buildings below (including the famous Orthodox church), immediate construction measures have been initiated (felling trees, temporary support for the large slope, etc.), which means that the sisters still need a lot of money . We have already transferred a partial amount to the sisters’ account. However, much more money is still needed (another €20k). Although the Congregation in Rome has pledged about 50% of the estimated costs, this is only for June 26. We are still missing 3 K €. Please help to save this monastery. Short video: Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/QVWfiATgLW4?feature=share
14.03.26: 18.00: Tiki Küstenmacher (© Bild): Living and believing more simply & happily
Where: Johanneskirche, Zanderstr. 51, 53177 Bonn, admission free
The world bestselling author of “Simplify your life” (over 5 million copies) and evangelical pastor cleans up our entire lives with this classic book on life management! From desks and finances to health, relationships, partnerships and faith, he covers all areas of self-management and time management. He illustrates his talk in a meditation style with live cartoons on the tips for a more carefree, relaxed and happier life & faith.
15.03.26, 16:00: Hüsch’s Psalms of Peace with harp accompaniment
Where: Paul-Gerhardt-Haus, Schulstr. 57, 53757 Sankt Augustin Christian Kercher (reciter) and Ella Thomas (harp) Admission: 15:30, free, donation proceeds for Palestine Christian Kercher’s psalm recital is poetry between dance and jazz. Ella Thomas, winner of the “Jugend musiziert” competition and student at the Lübeck University of Music, lends Hüsch’s psalms a wonderful sound.
21.03.26: 19:00, Admission: 18:00 Best of Poetry Slam with big JIK award ceremony with Florian Stein, 4 poetry slammers and beat boxers
Where: Rhein-Sieg-Gymnasium auditorium, Hubert-Minz-Str. 20, 53757 St. Augustin. Admission free, donations to cover costs requested
26.3.-07.4.26: Preparatory trip to Israel-Palestine
01.05-03.05. 2026: JIK trip to Paris (only for active and potential JIK employees), information from me
13.05-23.05.2026: Katholikentag in Würzburg (with Daoud Nassar as speaker, among others: 15.5., 11:00) followed by a short trip to Germany until Pentecost to Bonn on 18.5., Bergisch-Gladbach (Peace Prize for Daoud) and Berlin (19.-23.5.), further information in the next New
10-18.07.26: planned new date for the visit of the youth group from Bethlehem
11.-16.07.26: New, attractive JIK cultural program (free tickets for members, info to follow)
15.07. 2026: possible new date for the Trialogue panel discussion in Sankt Augustin The aim of the Trialogue events is to talk about the Middle East and the consequences for Muslim/Jewish life in our country while recognizing the suffering of both sides.
New: 09.10.26, 20:00: African Pulse, Nordic Space & Indian Spiritual Sound
Where: Aula Rhein-Sieg-Gymnasium, Hubert-Minz-Str. 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Admission: 19:00 Admission free, donation proceeds for Palestine
Nils Kercher (D): Kora / West African harp, vocals, percussion
& Kira Kaipainen (FIN): percussion, vocals, balafon: youtube.com/watch?v=n_2kyv6sGXY
BarouKouyate (Mali): Ngoni / Malian lute, guitar, talking drum: youtube.com/watch?v=xmyjaGayFRo
Dr. Ranajit Sengupta (IND): Master of the sitar: youtube.com/watch?v=xOk3S-hPsnw
17.10-1.11.26: Israel-Palestine-Jordan youth trip (fall break), 16 participants (18 years and older)10 places still available, with 160 € early bird discount until 23.3.26: only 790 € !!! (online registration) unique program see website: Reports Youth Exchange: October 22
(Mä/erz-News are online: www.gregorschroeder.de – for all who love humor, literature (+ interpretation) and creative political-satirical and poetic texts of all kinds. New: Complex causes of the pork taboo)
Situation on the ToN (26.02.26): Apart from mobile checkpoints and roadblocks, the situation is quite stable, also thanks to the volunteers. The hearing on March 12 before the Supreme Court of Israel has been postponed again until November (after the Knesset elections), partly due to the illegal construction measures directly on the ToN. The greatly facilitated land annexations are a major problem. As the Palestinian land in this area is also not registered, unlike the ToN, it is to be feared that the ToN will soon be completely isolated and that access to the ToN may even be blocked for everyone. This makes international pressure on Israel to stop the illegal annexations all the more important. Daoud is therefore considering coming to Germany again for a lecture tourin September (before the Knesset elections).
Over 600 treeshave already been planted with the help of volunteers. We are still looking for more adult volunteers who would like to help out on the ToN for at least 2-3 weeks (registration on the website www.tentofnations.com). If you need more detailed information in advance, you can also send an e-mail to: mail@freundeskreis-tentofnations.de.
JIK supports the ToN stay of volunteers from 2-3 weeks by subsidizing/covering the flight costs (for information contact me: 01636-335535). Thanks to our help, volunteers will again be able to help out there for longer periods of time. Costs for accommodation, food etc. approx. 150 € per week.
With the help of all ToN supporters, we are endeavoring to launcha permanent initiative to save the ToN, among other things. Perhaps you also have important contacts/suggestions for us!
With your donations, you can also help to ensure that the many Christian institutions in Bethlehem/Jerusalem, but especially the Jahalin Bedouins, do not have to give up.
Appeal for donations
The financial situation of many people in the Middle East remains catastrophic despite a temporary ceasefire and more aid deliveries to Gaza. The return of pilgrims/tourists to Bethlehem, for example, is very hesitant.
Christian institutions, monasteries (e.g. the Birgittinnen), schools, universities, but also large parts of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, especially in Bethlehem, are facing ever greater financial hardship or are even threatened with extinction.
The greatest concerns are still the famine, the 80% destruction of Gaza and the aggressive, forced settlement policy in the West Bank and its planned partition.
| Therefore, once again my urgent request: Transfer a generous donation also for Bethlehem University and the 5,000 Jahalin Bedouins who are to be forcibly resettled next to a garbage dump! |
Successful fundraising campaign since 1.1.23: 610 T € for Ukraine, Africa, Latin America, India, the Middle East, etc. As our donations are also declining overall, in future we will concentrate on the many threatened and disadvantaged people in the Middle East (ToN, monasteries, schools and universities in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jahalin Bedouins, Angel of Cultures etc., see bank details below).
Our bank details (with information on donation receipts)
JugendInterKult e.V., Volksbank Köln-Bonn; BIC: GENODED1BRS; IBAN: DE09 3806 0186 0704 8870 19
(If you provide your address + e-mail address or send an e-mail, you will receive a donation receipt by e-mail for donations of €100 or more. Donations up to 300 € are recognized by the tax office without a donation receipt). If you would like to donate to a specific fundraising campaign or a special project, please state this in the reference (e.g. Birgittinnen-Kloster, Uni Bethlehem, Jahalin-Beduinen, ToN).
| With the help of your donations, many thousands of children and their families, but also Christian institutions (monasteries, schools, etc. in Palestine, among others) and persecuted Christians around the world, especially in disadvantaged countries that have fallen into particularly great need due to the current wars, could and can be helped through food and medical aid and care in all areas of life. We would like to thank all donors once again for their extremely generous support of our projects! We hope you will continue to support our work as benevolently as before. |
Stay healthy and, despite all the discord, remain confident and happy to donate!!!
Kind regards
Your Gregor Schröder (0163-6335535), schroedergregor@aol.com
Am Köppekreuz 21, 53225 Bonn – www.jugendinterkult.de
Founded in 2011, our Sankt Augustin-based association has both a local and global focus and is committed to intercultural understanding, justice as well as sustainable development worldwide as a basis for peace.
- We would like to inspire adolescents for intercultural youth exchange with Israel-Palestine-Jordan through specially sponsored and inexpensive bilateral youth encounters.
- JIK promotes intercultural creative projects (music, theater, dance, art) with socially and otherwise disadvantaged young people, young talents, refugees in many countries as well as volunteer work in Christian institutions, e.g. in Palestine.
Art project in Bethlehem
Music project in Zanzibar
- We support 50 aid projects in Colombia, Afghanistan, India, Congo, Palestine, etc. in over 25 countries worldwide.
- Total JIK funding for all projects and fundraising campaigns since 2011: over € 2.5 million
With the help of the donations, tens of thousands of children and their families, as well as Christian institutions (monasteries, schools, etc. in Palestine, among others) in many countries that have fallen into great need as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the Middle East war, could and can be helped with food and medical aid as well as support in all areas of life.
Street children Colombia – Don Bosco
Afghanistan Aid – Caritas International
- We still need more people for our projects, people to accompany us on our trips, but also support through membership and of course especially donations for our many aid projects.
- Accompanying persons urgently needed for bilateral youth exchange with Palestine. We are not only looking for volunteers for the ToN and other employees for our projects, but also urgently for accompanying persons (e.g. religious teacher) for our bilateral youth encounters with Palestine from 2026, who would like to prepare and accompany these trips as leaders after participating in the trip in October 2026 and intensive JIK training. Applicants should be between 30 and 50 years old(preferably female), live in the Bonn – Leverkusen area, have good English skills and pedagogical experience in dealing with projects and adolescents, and preferably already be familiar with regional studies, the Middle East conflict and the 3 world religions. As a responsible manager from 2027, you will receive an expense allowance.
Participation in the following trips/two-sided youth encounters is welcome:
1. 28.3.-6.4.26 (approx.): Preparatory trip to Israel-Palestine (approx. 4/5 participants), small cost contribution from participants
2. 10-18.7.26: Visit of approx. 15 participants from Bethlehem in Bonn
3. Trip to Israel-Palestine-Jordan: 17.10. -01.11. 2026 (maximum 16 participants aged 18 and over)
Email applications to: schroedergregor@aol.com
Let yourself be inspired by the variety of our activities and take advantage of our offers by participating in international youth encounters, our creative projects, fundraising activities and/or by joining or becoming a member of us. As a member, you take part in all activities free of charge, have the opportunity to get free tickets for all cultural events from the JIK free ticket contingent and receive an early bird discount of €160 on trips.
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