Presidential Board has new chairman
Udo Hentrich holds a doctorate in political science and worked as a teacher at a vocational college in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss until his retirement in early 2025. He also held various positions in the Workers' Welfare Association (Arbeiterwohlfahrt) in the Ruhr region for a long time. At the general assembly in September, he was elected as the new chairman of the Presidential Board . Staff member Sandra Fenkl spoke with him there about his motivation and the goals of his work in his new position.
Sandra Fenkl: Udo, congratulations on your new position. It's been a long journey from your first contact with Terre des Hommes to today, hasn't it?
Udo Hentrich: Yes, I've known Terre des Hommes since I was a student, but my professional commitments left me no time to work with you; I limited myself to donating. Four years ago, I met the Neuss/Düsseldorf group and joined it. Wonderful friendships developed from this. Last year, the spokesperson for our group inspired me to run for the Presidential Board of Terre des Hommes I'm delighted that, after a year on the Presidential Board Terre des Hommes .
What do you think Terre des Hommes
Terre des Hommes is a citizens' movement. No one is bound by rigid club rules; the groups are autonomous and can freely implement their ideas and activities: Some organize art auctions, quiz nights, and bazaars; others speak directly with politicians in their constituency, give lectures at schools or adult education centers, design exhibitions in libraries or adult education centers, initiate information stands and action days; still others knit socks and sell them at the Christmas market. It's a colorful kaleidoscope of diverse activities. It's simply fantastic! In addition to my new position, I am also still active in the Neuss/Düsseldorf group and am happy about our diverse work on behalf of children, such as supporting the children's rights team in Neuss.
What are the greatest challenges for Terre des Hommes against the backdrop of increasing political, social, and economic change?
There have been significant shifts in these areas. Traditional structures and majorities in politics are dissolving, and trust in politics and civil society organizations is dwindling. We must look at how we can continue to win people over to our goals. A first step is: We should communicate our successes – and there are many – better. More people should know that our project work is effective and that we can really improve the world for children – whether as donors or through volunteer work.
What emphasis will you place on your role?
A very important and central aspect for me is the strengthening of children’s rights. This begins with my desire to raise public awareness of the issue even more. Terre des Hommes currently designing a modern exhibition on children’s rights, which will be presented to the public shortly. I will be presenting this exhibition in the Central Library in Düsseldorf on International Children’s Rights Day. I also have numerous lectures planned for 2026 on the topic of children’s rights.
Another focus of my work as chair is promoting democracy in our society. It alarms me to see that anti-democratic and fundamentalist forces are increasingly gaining influence in our society. I greatly value our liberal and free democracy and want to contribute through my commitment to ensuring that our children can live in a democracy where freedom, human rights, and children's rights are highly valued and legally protected.
A third focus for me is education in a very comprehensive sense. As a former teacher, I view education as the foundation for a self-determined life. At the same time, education is the best protection against questionable ideologies. There are enormous challenges in the area of school education in Germany, as, for example, more and more young people are leaving school without a school leaving certificate. This shouldn't be the case, and something must be done about it.
"In my professional life, I have worked almost exclusively with disadvantaged children and young people, and I am therefore very happy to be able to get involved with Terre des Hommes , a social organization that advocates for children's rights."