Think global, act local:

We were especially pleased by the participation of numerous representatives from the cooperative network. After a brief welcome by Steffen Müller (GESTE Foundation & DGRV) and Alexander Doukas (VR-Networld GmbH), the Cooperative World Night began with a video greeting from Hans Joachim Reinke, Chairman of the Board of Union Investment and the GESTE Foundation. Simel Esim from the ILO Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy also welcomed our guests with a video message. Vera Viehöfer (geno kom) guided us through the evening with superb moderation.

The content opening was delivered by Nina Schindler, CEO of the European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB), with a keynote on the importance of international cooperation in cooperative banking. In the subsequent panel, Souad Benkredda, Board Member of DZ BANK AG, captivated the audience with personal insights into her experiences with international collaboration, demonstrating how leadership with conviction, openness, and vision works—globally and locally at the same time (#Glocal). On that day, Souad was also unanimously elected to the GESTE Board. We greatly look forward to working together and the impulses she will bring to the foundation's work in the future.

Further contributions came from Michael Schneider (Ihre Volksbank eG), Monika Schreiner (VR-NetWorld GmbH), and Dr. Viktoria Schäfer (ADG Research), perfectly complementing the panel. All contributions made it clear: cooperatives take responsibility—locally and globally—and actively shape development.

The atmospheric conclusion was provided by Amparo & Majela with Cuban boleros, accompanied by a flying dinner and lively conversations about the opportunities of cooperative cooperation.

We thank all participants for their commitment, openness, and contribution to a thoroughly successful evening—and we are already looking forward to the second Cooperative World Night!