Statement of Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking
Personal reasons but also my responsibility towards society have led to my decision to donate a material amount of money for social purposes.
As a sign of my outstanding relation with longterm members of staff and companions I aim to establish a charitable organisation in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen where the headquarter of AG is located. With the support of the union representatives the trust shall be equipped with liquid funds of Euros 25 million and supports/aim at ensuring a socially fair development at all sites.
Furthermore I will donate to the social fund of Landespresse Baden-Württemberg e.V., the trust of Hamburger Presse and the society of the Verein Kollegenhilfe niedersächsischer Journalisten e.V. a lump sum of euros 500.000 each. According to the goals of the organisations outlined in their respective articles of association the donations should serve as a support for elderly and suffering journalists.
Over and above this I will invest in projects, targeting at creating jobs in Germany. I do pay my taxes in Germany with roughly half of my income being transferred to the state.
The foundation in Zuffenhausen shall complement my two existing charitable trusts in Beckum/Westfalia and Bietigheim-Bissingen, together equipped with a cash donation of Euros ten million.