PTB at the 2023 Open House at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Berlin
The BMZ in Berlin opened its doors to interested visitors on 19 and 20 August 2023. The event, which took place on a summer day, attracted several thousand people who were able to learn about the ministry’s work and several of its partner organizations — and thus PTB’s work — in rooms and at the stands on the BMZ’s grounds.
This year, our focus was on the 60th anniversary of PTB’s technical cooperation on behalf of the Federal Government. A printed timeline informed the guests about the important stations and highlights of our history.
Since 1963, we have been collaborating with developing countries and countries in transition to promote sustainable economic, social and ecological development. We contribute to the establishment and expansion of valuable quality infrastructure in our partner countries and to a harmonization of international metrology. This makes us one of the four governmental implementing organizations involved in development cooperation.
Many of the visitors were initially surprised and asked what we, the national metrology institute, have to do with development cooperation. Even if it was impossible to present all the details of our multifaceted history, we were still able to emphasize how important metrology is for scientific and economic development in our partner countries using selected highlights that could be seen on our timeline.
VIPs visit our stand
We were especially pleased with Minister Svenja Schulze’s visit on Saturday afternoon and with the appreciation she showed towards PTB’s work.
We were also pleased with the positive response from our guests as well as the visit from BMZ Department Head Dirk Meyer.
The vice president of PTB, Prof Dr Frank Härtig, took advantage of the day to warmly thank the head of one of the BMZ’s subdivisions, Martin Wimmer, for the now six decades of continuous financing for project work and to discuss the topic of digitalization. Mr. Wimmer replied that he has been a true fan of PTB of many years and greatly values our work.
PTB made a lasting impression
Finally, we had a touching encounter with a female visitor who has made a point of visiting us at the Open House for many years. One of her most vivid and favourite memories was from the year 2012 when we had brought a high-precision scale which we were using to weigh signatures on postcards.
We will never run out of ideas like this and other exciting ones. We are already counting the days until the next invitation to visit the Federal Government in Berlin!
At this point we would like to emphasize that the care and dedication the BMZ staff showed towards the guests and exhibitors alike were remarkable. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the outstanding organization and Berlin-style, straightforward kindness with which we were supported and greeted.
As an aside, the BMZ showed us how sustainable events can be carried out. Drinking water stations and the use of reusable dishes for the vegan fast food were also included.
Images © PTB
