History
New Beginnings after the Second World War
In line with the development of new international organisations in the 1950s the leading German business organsations realised that there was a lack of internationally-qualified management personnel. The Tönissteiner Group was set up to fill this gap.
In 1958 the discussion group "Forum for Science and Business" was set up, which at the behest of the Federation of German Industry (BDI), the Employers Federation (BDA) the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHT), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Association of German Foundations (Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft) discussed how to develop new leadership for international roles. A key role was played by Erwin Lemmé, then Head of the Department for International Relations at the BDI .
Members of this new group were DAAD grant recipients. In January 1959 the first meeting took place in Bad Tönisstein near Maria Laach in the Eifel region, making this the formal launch year of the discussion forum, though many relevant discussions between industry and the ministries took place the year before. At the second meeting 1960, also in Bad Tönisstein, the Group took the name "Tönissteiner Kreis".
The Group has since through regular Annual Meetings and international dialogues contributed to the international focus of Germany. In Januray 2008 the Tönissteiner Group celebrated its 50. Tönissteiner Annual Meeting.
Focus from 2000In the 1990s the Group began to reorient itself, given the changed environment 40 years after its establishment. Its basic aim remains but the emphasis has shifted, with the group now increasingly focussing on specific projects that provide input to civil society.
Its goal is to use the resources and profile of its almost 700 members in a focused way for the general good. The activities were extended, new programs developed and a network of cooperation partners was established both inside and outside Germany. To maintain its independence the legal form of a charitable association (Gemeinnütziger Verein) was set up.