The Foundation

Youth as ambassadors of the future

The commitment of the foundation is intended to enable young people in particular to shape their daily lives independently, responsibly and successfully and to find a conscious approach to themselves, the people around them, values, nature and our resources.

Always in focus: sustainability. That means conserving the space for development and the habitat for future generations and to improve their quality: societally, socially, economically and ecologically.

Responsible and value-conscious thinking and acting towards oneself, others and nature, the faith and courage to bring something about, to think in opportunities and an ethical attitude are important qualities for us that we would like to bring to fruition, amongst other things through cooperation with young people.

With the ifzw impulsstifung („impulse foundation“) that he founded, Dieter Zahn would like to leave something that will have an effect beyond the next generations to Saxony, of which he has grown very fond, and to his home country Germany.

DIE STIFTUNG //

DIE STIFTUNG // DER STIFTER

The founder:
Dieter Zahn

Taking opportunities, taking responsibility and following one’s goals with self-confidence are characteristics that have made Dieter Zahn a successful person and entrepreneur*. His wish is to pass on these values to subsequent generations. That is why „youth encouragement“ is his focus when it comes to a long-term successful development of society.

*With his company IFZW Dieter Zahn became a world-leader in the cremation sector. In the early 90ies he took over the previously nationally owned enterprise IFZW in Zwickau in Saxony. Since its privatisation, the company’s staff has grown to over 50. The scope of action of the traditional Saxon manufacture continually increased. Today IFZW is active world-wide and develops high-quality industrial plant for international clients.
Zwickau in Sachsen. Seit der Privatisierung konnte die Belegschaft auf über 50 Mitarbeiter ausgeweitet werden. Der Wirkungsbereich des traditionellen sächsischen Herstellers vergrößerte sich immer weiter. Heute ist IFZW weltweit tätig und entwickelt hochwertige Industrieanlagen für internationale Kunden.

„Supporting the economy and society in the fields of environmental protection and nature conservation in combination with supporting young people, for example in sports associations, is the ideal initiative for the future in my mind.

It is my conviction and experience to accompany and support young people to enable and promote their consciously responsible and sustainable thinking both toward themselves and nature.

"Exposing young people to these modes of thought and action is a matter of great concern to me in enabling responsibly conscious coexistence with esteem and respect on this earth."

Dieter Zahn

DIE STIFTUNG // DER STIFTER

DIE STIFTUNG // UNSERE WERTE

Our values

Sustainability

Acting sustainably means ensuring a future-proof and equal development of humankind, nature and economy so that future generations also find an adequate basis for a life of fulfilment.

Responsibility

Life is not determined by events but by the conclusions that we draw from them. Responsibility means: How do I respond to a situation? We need to become conscious of this in order to actively shape life.

DIE STIFTUNG // UNSERE WERTE

Every person is responsible for their thinking and acting and for the consequences resulting from this.

Every person deserves acknowledgement and appreciation – simply because they are a human being.

Appreciation

Every point of view, every belief and every choice therefore is of equal worth and deserves respect. It is just as important to appreciate and conserve nature as well as the values created by humankind.

Integrity

The accordance of ideals, values and way of life is an important development goal. Personal integrity can be achieved by living one’s values and beliefs, by giving and keeping one’s word, by freely saying what you mean and by adhering to the law.

DIE STIFTUNG // UNSERE WERTE

Innovation

We need to think and act in new dimensions and so create the context for change in the world. Our thinking needs to change fundamentally so that it is not just old thougts in new garb.

„There are no new results from old standpoints!“

(Albert Einstein)

DIE STIFTUNG // UNSERE WERTE

„Be the change you want to see in the world!”

(Mahatma Gandhi)

We enable young people to recognise and live their special skills and potentials, to contribute to their community and to actively shape their lives. We implement this with our activities with a focus on youth encouragement in the core areas of education, environment and sports.

MISSION STATEMENT

DIE STIFTUNG // DAS LEITBILD

Our guiding principle

YOUNG PEOPLE

We include young people as partners in our projects.

INNOVATION &
VALUE CONSCIOUSNESS

We see ourselves as a learning organisation and continuously evolve in innovation and value consciousness.

OBJECTIVITY

We are independent and neutral.

RESPONSIBILITY

We approach our task mindfully and conscious of the responsibility towards the foundation and its environs.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our actions are subject to the criteria of sustainability with regards to economy, ecology and social matters.

INSIGHTS

We include all relevant disciplines of sciences and the insights gained in practice in our work.

We live and support what we stand for

Our vision is a sustainable and responsible society and economy in tune with nature. In Zwickau, in Saxony and world-wide!

DIE STIFTUNG // UNSERE HANDLUNGSMAXIME