DWF at the Kaiserswerth General Conference in Frankfurt

At the end of February, some of us were invited to take part in the meeting of the Presidium of the Kaiserswerth General Conference (KGK) in Frankfurt am Main in Germany. For us, this was a valuable opportunity to share insights into our work of DWF and to better understand the key topics that shape diaconal organisations in different contexts.

A place of lived diakonia

The Frankfurt Deaconess Motherhouse provided a special setting for the meeting. The strong connection between spiritual life, social engagement and community life was clearly visible and deeply inspiring, a place where diaconal identity becomes tangible.

Recognising shared challenges

During the conversations, it became clear how many similar questions diaconal organisations face, regardless of their specific context. In particular, the issue of recruiting staff stood out as a challenge that goes far beyond individual institutions. For us, this once again showed that such topics cannot be seen in isolation. Looking beyond one’s own context opens up new perspectives, for example, how others deal with similar situations, which approaches work well, and where new ideas can emerge.

Networking as a real strength

These moments highlight the real value of international encounters. When experiences are shared, it becomes more than just an exchange of information, a shared understanding begins to grow. For us in DWF, this is a key strength: creating spaces where these different perspectives can come together. Spaces where people learn from one another, where ideas develop further and where it becomes clear that many challenges are not unique, but are being faced in different places at the same time.

Our time in Frankfurt once again showed us how much potential lies in bringing different perspectives together. When experiences meet, new insights grow and often new ways forward for diaconal work in a changing world.

We are grateful for the enriching exchange, the open conversations and the valuable encounters. They show how strong and meaningful this kind of connection can be. We look forward to continuing this journey together in the future.