This year’s candidates for the two available positions introduce themselves here:
(You’ll find the link to the annual election page at the bottom of this page!)
Max Vyskubov
My name is Max Vyskubov, I am 25 years old, and I currently live in Bonn.
I completed my weltwärts voluntary service in 2019/20 in Buga, Colombia, where I worked as an English assistant at schools and supported the Incoming Program. My tasks in the program included developing German language lessons, coordinating fundraising activities, and preparing Colombians for their voluntary service in Germany.
Find out more about me here:
After completing my service, I had the privilege of taking over the country leadership of the Incoming Program in Colombia for two and a half years. My responsibilities included the pedagogical and administrative support of the volunteers, communication with partner organizations, and organizing and conducting seminars. Until the end of February, I completed an internship with GIZ in the field of peace and conflict work. Starting in May, I will be doing another internship in the field of democracy promotion through the ASA program, where I will work for three months in Cologne and three months in Mexico. In October, I will begin my Master’s degree.
I wish that weltwärts is recognized more as an intercultural learning service in public and political discourse. Especially in times of societal polarization, I see this exchange as a valuable asset. Additionally, I find it important that post-colonial continuities within the program are not only acknowledged but also actively reflected upon and addressed. I would like to work towards strengthening the Incoming component, under the condition that sustainable structures are created for South-North volunteers after their service – whether through further education, mentoring, network building, or financial support.
One person who inspires me both through their life’s work and character is Mahatma Gandhi. I particularly admire his ability to stand up for his ideals despite great opposition and adversity. I often wonder where he drew the strength to dedicate his entire life to striving for a peaceful world.
Pita Hermann Katchao
My name is Pita Hermann Katchao. I come from Togo and I am 26 years old. I’m a former volunteer of Bremer Mission in Bremen ( 2021- 2022). My duties included helping to edit the Bremer Mission’s magazine, ,,Brücken” and the newsletter by writing my own articles. I wrote regular blogs for the volunteer website, worked in the sales department and also did some caretaking and gardening. I also supported a social justice and participation initiative by working at the ,,Café Mittwoch”, an open meeting place.
More detailed about me:
I’m studying Religious Science and French at the University of Bremen. I would like to get involved with weltwärts and the interests of volunteers. I want weltwärts to work for a fairer and more sustainable world. Someone who inspires me in my life is my father. He is the source of hope, wisdom and courage for me. He is tireless and his willingness to take on responsibility and fulfill tasks for the community is what I get from him. Without him, I would have been a completely different person.
Maxie Richter
My name is Maxie and in 2019/20 I was in Abomey, Benin, with weltwärts. I helped out at a Catholic family centre there, which is dedicated to caring for orphans, supporting families and family reintegration. I completed my B.A. in Anthropology and Languages in October 2024 and am currently trying to find my way through internships. Most recently, I spent four months in Palermo, Italy, for an internship on migration across the Central Mediterranean. From April onwards, I will be doing an internship in the didactics of German as a foreign language in Leipzig. If I enjoy that, I would like to train as a language teacher – so let’s see.
Here it gets more detailed:
For weltwärts, I would like to see the programme live up to its decolonial aspirations and create opportunities for North-South and South-North volunteers to get to know each other and work together. I would also welcome a redistribution of funds towards the South-North component. Depending on how much change is possible, I would like to help shape a weltwärts revolution: I love weltwärts for the North-South/South-North mobility it enables. But I think that as an educational programme between Global North and South it is still far from perfect and the demands of its time. I was inspired by my experience in the weltwärts South-North programme implementation with the association Zugvögel e.V.. For three years, I volunteered in the finance team, as a mentor and in the organisation of seminars for volunteers from Ecuador, Mexico and Ruanda. I got to know great people and learnt to appreciate weltwärts as an instrument of mobility and contact. At the same time, I noticed some defects in the programme design and idea, which I made the subject of ethnographic studies in my bachelor’s degree. As a result, I have collected a lot of weltwärts thoughts that I would like to share.
Election page
The following link will take you to the actual election page.
As both a volunteer representative and a deputy representative are being sought this year, you have a total of two votes to cast. Thank you for helping to shape weltwärts with your vote!