HanseMerkur board member Johannes Ganser invited Sirkka Jendis, managing director of Tafel Deutschland, and Rüdiger Ratsch-Heitmann, managing director of Bürgerstiftung Hamburg, to speak at the event. In the cosy atmosphere of the Peacetanbul restaurant in the Kampnagel cultural centre, they provided fascinating insights into their work – an inspiring start to a day full of encounters.
Social projects with impact
After lunch together, the participants went straight into practice. Divided into two groups, they visited various social initiatives:
- Hamburger Tafel: As part of Tafel Deutschland, volunteers collect surplus food and distribute it to over 1.6 million people affected by poverty. More than 75,000 helpers ensure that around 265,000 tonnes of food are put to good use every year.
- Jenkitos: The theatre project in Jenfeld helps young people to build self-confidence, expressiveness and personal development. Through theatre and creative methods, young people gain new perspectives and can develop their potential.
‘It was impressive to see how differently commitment can have an impact: while the food banks ensure social cohesion, the Jenkitos open up new perspectives for young people through art and creativity,’ reports Tina.
When technology meets social engagement
Tina was particularly struck by the realisation of how strongly AI influences the work of the Hamburg Food Bank. Food banks distribute food to people in need that would otherwise be thrown away in supermarkets or elsewhere. Thanks to increasingly intelligent systems, supermarkets are buying more selectively, which means there is less surplus – an ecologically sensible approach, but one that has become a real challenge for food banks.
‘I had no idea that AI had such a direct influence here,’ says Tina. ‘It shows how closely technological developments and social engagement are linked today – and how complex the challenges have become.’
Exchange, inspiration, responsibility
The 12th HanseMerkur Travel Summit has once again demonstrated that it is not just about networking. It is about broadening perspectives, recognising commitment and experiencing social responsibility first-hand.
For KITICON, this day is a valuable source of inspiration – both for our agency work and for the attitude of our team. Commitment, creativity and social awareness are not just buzzwords, but a lived reality that we carry into our projects.
