Federal President of Germany, Dr. Horst Köhler
Patron of the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau

There are not a lot of places like the Silesian Kreisau (today Krzyżowa in Poland). A symbol of German resistance to the Nazi regime, Kreisau is where Helmuth James von Moltke, spiritus rector of the Kreisau Circle, initiated a new beginning of relations between the German people and the rest of Europe. Significantly, the Kreisau Circle's vision of a democratic Germany integrated into a free and united Europe are alive today.

Kreisau/Krzyżowa is today infused with new vitality. Every year since the opening of the International Youth Meeting Center in 1998 more than 5,000 young people and adults from Poland, Germany and Eastern and Western Europe have come together in Kreisau/Krzyżowa. Through this exchange, participants discover shared interests and differences as they learn that mutual respect is anchored in a deeper source. Heirs to 20th century European resistance movements against dictatorships, participants learn the inviolability of human dignity. During their visit to Kreisau youth learn to view their themselves as residents of an integrated Europe.

Diverse supporters from Poland, Germany and many other countries have gifted the New Kreisau with their ideas, engagement and donations. The Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau needs this commitment of our citizens to safegaurd the future of this unique European meeting place. With its name the Foundation honours one of the most impressive women of our times. Freya von Moltke has helped establish Kreisau as a bridge between Poland and Germany.

I hope the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau will find enough supporters and donors and the International Youth Meeting Center of the New Kreisau will have a secured and successful future!