Committees of the Freya von Moltke Foundation
The Foundation Board and the Advisory Board form the governing bodies of the Freya von Moltke Foundation. Beide Gremien arbeiten ehrenamtlich.
The Foundation Board
The Foundation Board is the central body of the Freya von Moltke Foundation. Its permanent members include representatives of the von Moltke family and the Kreisau Initiative Berlin e.V. The Foundation Board represents the foundation in legal and external matters and makes decisions regarding the foundation’s further activities and development.
Helmuth Caspar von Moltke
Chairman of the Foundation Board of the Freya von Moltke Foundation
Son of Helmuth James and Freya von Moltke, lawyer, and manager
Helmuth Caspar von Moltke on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“I am among those who remember the Kreisau of the resistance from childhood and who warmly welcomed the reconciliation between Germany and Poland in 1989. It was only natural for me to dedicate myself to the future integration of Europe in Kreisau.”
Christine von Arnim
Deputy Chairwoman of the Foundation Board of the Freya von Moltke Foundation Former Head of Fellowship Services at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, specialising in event planning and organization
Christine von Arnim on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Kreisau is not old. It is alive, fresh, and curious. I was inspired by how vividly the memory of resistance against Nazi terror is brought into the present there, as young people from all over the world meet almost playfully and learn to understand each other. I deeply admire how the spirit of Kreisau has been preserved and revitalised far beyond Germany.”
Carolin Dembowski
Office Manager for Lars Klingbeil (Member of Parliament)
Carolin Dembowski on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“For me, Kreisau is a very vibrant place with an impressive history, where small actions create meaningful change. I am happy to support the valuable work being done here as a Young Benefactor and as part of the Foundation Board of the Freya von Moltke Foundation.”
Dr. Annemarie Franke
Director of the Cultural Secretariat of the Cultural Region Upper Lusatia-Lower Silesia, based in Görlitz
Deputy Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of the Kreisau Foundation for European Understanding
Annemarie Franke on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Kreisau-Krzyżowa has been my chosen home since 2001. To this day, I am deeply moved by my first encounter with Freya von Moltke in the Kreisau Berghaus. The authenticity of the site as a meeting place for the Kreisau Circle, and its rediscovery since 1989 through an international civic initiative involving people from both parts of Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and the USA, has always fascinated me. I am committed to carrying forward the legacy of resistance and reconciliation.”
Lars Krägeling
Manager of Fundraising and Programs at the Margot Friedländer Foundation, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung gAG.
Lars Krägeling on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Kreisau has enriched my life tremendously. I have made close friends there and experienced wonderful encounters. I have learned how crucial relationships and friendships are in standing up against injustice. For me, the story of Kreisau is not only serious and by no means sorrowful; it is also a story of close friendships and great hope.”
Dr. Christoph Mecking
Lawyer and Managing Partner of the Institute for Foundation Consulting
Dr. Christoph Mecking on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Freya von Moltke embodies joy for life and cosmopolitanism. Kreisau represents understanding and reconciliation, connection and peace. Especially in today’s times of societal division, it is worth striving for these values. The foundation helps to overcome boundaries between people.”
Anja von Moltke
Environmental Economist and Coach
Long-standing staff member of the United Nations
Anja von Moltke on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“I remember the journey to Kreisau with Freya in 2004. Freya was deeply inspired by the place—the New Kreisau—which for her symbolised connection, understanding and reconciliation, friendship, and peaceful coexistence in Europe. These values are more important today than ever.”
Dr. Bertram von Moltke
Lawyer and diplomat with postings in Malaysia, Chile, Austria, the USA, Ukraine, and currently Jordan
Bertram von Moltke on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“For me, Kreisau is a place of family, tranquillity, and music. It is a site of great significance to the history of Germany and Poland, a fertile ground for the peaceful future of our Europe. It fosters encounters, understanding, and comprehension, serving as a seedbed for friendships that transcend borders.”
Gabriele von Moltke
Editor at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB)
Gabriel von Moltke on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“The history of Kreisau gives me confidence that understanding is possible—across all borders and differences. When I first visited, the estate was still dilapidated and neglected. Today, Krzyżowa has once again become a thriving place for exchange and reconciliation. For me, Kreisau represents the power of humanity and solidarity, and I want to help foster that.”
Andreas Schmid
Member of the Board of Allianz Beratungs- und Vertriebs-AG
Andreas Schmid on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Only living and tangible remembrance can protect us from the resurgence of inhumane forces we believed to have overcome. I am convinced that Kreisau is a place for young and old alike—a place of reconciliation and unity. More importantly, it sharpens and aligns our thinking and actions for a peaceful future in Europe.”
Dr. Axel Smend
Lawyer and Advisor, Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board of the 20 July 1944 Foundation
Dr. Axel Smend on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“For me, Kreisau is a place of reaching out to one another, listening, reconciliation, and the development of transformative ideas. It is a place of courage and forward-thinking. This mindset is something we need in Germany, in Europe, and across the world.”
Meike Völker
Pastor and Educator, long-standing staff member at the Berlin House Kreisau and founding member of the Kreisau Initiative e.V.
Meike Völker on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“For me, Kreisau/Krzyżowa represents a shift in perspective, a broadening and reorientation of one’s mental outlook: from West to East, from past to future, from older to younger (intergenerational), from head through hands to heart (emotional connection), and from an exclusive ‘club of mutual admirers’ to an inclusive community of ‘fellows of good hope/of global sustainability.’
I have experienced this change in perspective as personally transformative. In this spirit, I see Kreisau/Krzyżowa continuing to grow vibrantly today.
No other organisation I am involved with has developed such a high level of innovation over 30 years. New generations have taken on responsibility, the German-Polish focus has become international, and the daring thoughts and ideas of pioneers are continuously ‘translated’ into living, tangible realities.”
Christoph Wich
Lawyer and Notary
Christoph Wich on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“In the face of the overwhelming inhumanity of totalitarian rule, individuals in Kreisau stood with clarity against it, envisioning fair and respectful cooperation among nations as both necessary and inherently human. It is essential to preserve this luminous place and its message, making it a shared experience for as many people as possible.”
The Advisory Board
As an advisory body, the Foundation Board is supported by a Board of Trustees. This board consists of individuals who are intellectually aligned with the foundation and its goals, and who have made significant contributions in the fields of international understanding, the historical legacy of the resistance, and the responsibility for Europe’s future.
Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Politician (Bündnis90/Die Grünen)
Viola von Cramon-Taubadel on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Since I had the privilege of visiting Krzyżowa in 2004, I have felt a strong connection to the foundation. From the very beginning, I have enthusiastically supported its established goals, and being appointed to the Advisory Board was an honor for me.
My particular interest is rooted mainly in my political involvement in Eastern Europe and the heightened awareness I have developed regarding the importance of historical consciousness, memory culture, reconciliation, and coming to terms with the past. The current developments, which also reflect a certain forgetting of history, remind us that we must not give up our commitment to raising awareness and ongoing efforts in this regard – on the contrary. This is a societal task as a whole, to which the Freya von Moltke Foundation for New Kreisau makes a valuable contribution.”
Viviane Hagner
Internationally successful Violinist, Artistic Director of Krzyżowa-Music
Viviane Hagner on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“It is my goal to bring a musical branch of Marlboro Music back to Kreisau, to the heart of Europe, through Krzyżowa-Music. My participation in the most prominent American chamber music institution, Marlboro Music – founded, among others, by exile musicians from the circle of the Moltkes – has been formative for me both as a musician and as a person.
Krzyżowa-Music brings remarkable musicians together at the historic site of Kreisau. Through their visit to Krzyżowa, they are united not only by their shared love of music-making but also by a common reflection on their societal and political responsibility.”
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
Cellist, survivor of the girls’ orchestra of Auschwitz concentration camp
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch on her commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“The Freya von Moltke Foundation and New Kreisau are a symbol of hope. Only through building bridges, engaging in dialogue, and showing respect for those considered ‘different’ can there be progress. As a survivor of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, it is both an honor and a duty for me to commit myself to this concept.”
James von Moltke
Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Bank AG
James von Moltke on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Not only my family tradition makes me feel deeply connected to the legacy of Freya von Moltke. I am therefore very pleased to be able to support the foundation in its important work to preserve and expand New Kreisau as a place of encounter and dialogue.”
Matheus von Moltke
Former Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Moltke Foundation. Lawyer, working at an auditing and tax consulting firm
Matheus von Moltke on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“As a child, I was already taken to Silesia and Kreisau, this special historic place that stands for freedom of the spirit, for tolerance, and for independent, unbiased thinking.”
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Actor, Writer, and Visual artist
Professor Peter Raue
Senior Partner at the law firm RAUE, specializing in the field of art and copyright law
Professor Peter Raue on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Kreisau is a reminder of the deadly resistance against the Nazi regime. Kreisau represents one of the few bright moments that existed under the dark Nazi rule in Germany. Kreisau stands for the admonition to give no space to right-wing extremist and anti-Semitic ideologies, and to prevent this delusion from becoming socially acceptable. Kreisau stands for the commitment to never forget the resistance of the men and women of this circle, to teach what happened and what must never happen again. Kreisau stands for the duty to pass on our knowledge of the resistance to future generations.”
Professor Gesine Schwan
Co-founder, Partner, and President of the Berlin Governance Platform
Dr. Ulrich Soénius
Historian, Archivist, Cultural Politician, Director and Board Member of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Wirtschaftsarchiv Foundation
Dr. Ulrich Soénius on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“Kreisau is a special place. As a reminder of the resistance during the time of the Nazi dictatorship, it is important to secure this place for the future. In the International Youth Meeting Centre, bridges can be built and misunderstandings resolved. The more young people can take advantage of this opportunity for international understanding, the greater the chances for peace. I am happy to support this – also as a resident of Cologne, who feels a connection to the history of Freya von Moltke and her family.”
Philipp Wendland-Henssel
Long-time Owner of a bookstore in Berlin, specializing, among other things, in resistance
Philipp Wendland-Henssel on his commitment to the Freya von Moltke Foundation:
“My connection to Kreisau has always been deeply influenced by family. From a young age, Kreisau was part of my vocabulary – an ‘imaginary’ place. Over the years, the ‘imaginary’ became more and more defined – leading to the development of ‘New Kreisau.’ A remarkable development that deserves all support.”