Bernd Werner was born in 1959 in Mannheim/Baden-Württemberg. He lives in Lüneburg/Niedersachsen since 2004.

Bernd Werner worked as a pastor in the west of Germany.
He will talk about the demonstrations and his experiences of introducing democratic revolution and the bureaucracy problems to fleeing in the GDR. He would like to see a carefully managed enlargement process that extends peace, democracy and human rights.

TAGS: West German pastor, church work, Monday demonstrations, freedom to travel, peace culture in the EU, human rights.

Gisela Plaschka was born in 1954 in Stelle/Niedersachsen. She lives in Amelinghausen/Niedersachsen.

Gisela Plaschka works as a teacher for politics and economy.
For her part was the democratic change in 1989 a stroke of luck in the German history. She will talk about the waves of migration, worry about job losses in the east and that their freedom of movement was restricted. The government must regulate the migration. The students will get a practical understanding of democracy if they follow up with local politics.

TAGS: experiences from the day the border was opened, fear of unemployment, travel restrictions, migration and integration.

Kathrin Schmidt was born in 1966 in Genthin/Sachsen-Anhalt. She lives in Lüneburg/Niedersachsen since 2008.

Kathrin Schmidt will talk about the elation and the media presence at Brandenburger Tor at the day of the reunification. Also about the newly acquired freedom to travel and the hostility towards foreigners and anti-Semitism in the east in the context of the populist movements today. The problem could be that they are out of touch with any foreigners at all in the past.

TAGS: Perspective of a female student from GDR, Day of the opening of the border at Brandenburg Gate, Right-wing groups and populism, Xenophobia, Perspectives for EU.

Thomas Becker is a practicing lawyer and notary from Lüneburg/Niedersachsen. He was born in 1951 in Lüneburg.

In the course of the opening of the border, Becker reports of the encounters with the east citizens. In his work and participation in various companies, organizations and associations, he encountered strong economic restructuring. He also will talk about the ailing buildings in the GDR. He would like to see a carefully managed enlargement process that extends peace. He would like to see a greater reluctance to transfer political responsibilities to the supranational level. Also about “Treuhandverhältnissen“ (delegate rights of companies).

TAGS: Day of the opening of the border, dilapidated buildings in GDR, economic upheavals, perspectives for EU, fiduciary relationships (transfer of full legal power of companies).

Jens-Uwe Thümer was born in 1967 in Berlin/West. He lives in Lüneburg/Niedersachsen since 1995.

Jens-Uwe Thümer lived in the westpart of Berlin. Berlin is symbol of division and a peaceful revolution. He will talk about his experience. It is vitally important for the EU to ensure a carefully managed enlargement process that extends peace, stability, prosperity, democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe.

TAGS: Remembering the day the borders were opened, experiences with Stasi, right-wing groups, populism, perspectives for EU.

Michael Senkpiel was born in 1964 in Güstrow/Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Since his escape from the the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1989 he lives in western Germany. He lives in Eyendorf/Niedersachsen since 1993.

Michael Senkpiel will talk about failed attempts to escape from the GDR to the west and that he had to justify for this. Also about the bureaucracy problems to travel.

TAGS: escape attempts, escape, travel restrictions, memories of the day of reunification.