President
Peter Neher
Prelate Dr. Peter Neher was elected President of the German Caritas Association in May 2003. He was born in Pfronten in 1955. He is an ordained priest and has served as a hospital chaplain and as the Director of the Diocesan Caritas Association in Augsburg. In 2007 and 2008 he also was President of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege (Germany's Federal Association of Non-Statutory Welfare). In June 2007, he was appointed Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.
‘Caring for our fellow human beings is an integral part of our faith. That is why many people become involved in Caritas. In parishes and in our centres and institutions, they make sure that people receive the assistance and support they need. Caritas means standing up for disadvantaged people in Germany and in many countries all over the world.’
The Board
The Board of the German Caritas Association currently consists of the President, Secretary General, and the Head of Finances and Human Resources.
Georg Cremer
Professor Dr. Georg Cremer was born in Aachen in 1952. He is married and has three sons. The Caritas Council elected him Secretary General of the German Caritas Association in the year 2000. He was re-elected into office in 2005. He has degrees in economics and education, and he obtained a post-doctorate qualification (Habilitation, which is required for professorship) in economics at the University of Freiburg in 1992. He has been an associate professor of economics at the University of Freiburg since 1999 and has written many books and articles on the work of Caritas, social policy, social care, the labour market, corruption surveillance and control, developmental aid policy and emergency relief and prevention. Professor Cremer was the Director of a developmental aid project in Indonesia and worked for the International Department of the German Caritas Association from 1990 to 1999.
‘The German Caritas Association contributes to shaping the welfare state. In order to more effectively integrate the interests of people in need, Caritas relies on new ideas which ensure social justice in today’s economic, political and demographic conditions. Our Association stands up to the challenge of working to uphold the political consensus that a market economy should be socially responsible.’
Niko Roth was elected the Head of Finances, Human Resources and Corporate Issues by the Caritas Council in 2005. He was born in 1947 in Kleinostheim and has a degree in administration.
‘Today’s basic economic conditions create new challenges for charity services and institutions every day. This is why the German Caritas Association needs plans of action which are based on both our ethical guidelines and the principles of business management. I believe we should rely on our strengths and face these challenges. Basic financial and economic conditions are just as important as professional and political conditions. We need visions for shaping the future, but we also need rational and responsible decisions.’