Traditionally, the opening session took place in the Bundestag (The Federal Parliament), followed by a festive dinner in Johannesstift (a suburb of Berlin). The second day of the Gathering started with the International Prayer Breakfast in historical Adlon Hotel, followed by plenary sessions, seminars and workshops. All guests from different religious backgrounds were invited to take part in a church service at Johannesstift in the afternoon of the third conference day. The gathering ended with a barbecue night on July 2.

The International Berlin Gathering has become the biggest Christian political event in Europe. Each year up to 400 politicians mainly from Europe but also from Africa, Asia and the Americas gather to listen to the topic of the year, to discuss, and to pray together. The event also makes a good platform for meeting with Christian politicians from all over the world and having fellowship together. Rudolf Decker, a former MP founded the Berlin Gathering and is the main organizer of the event. Dr. Andreas Jahn is the executive manager.

The main theme of the Berlin Gatherings is: „Responsibility Before God and Man” – a quote from the Constitution of Germany. Each year a different sub theme is added to it – this time it was: „And who is my neighbour: in my family, in my country, in the world?” The parable of the Good Samaritan was cited from the Bible as the introduction to the topic in the Bundestag.

Members of the Bundestag, Anette Hübinger, Patrick Meinhardt, Ernst-Reinhard Beck, Johannes Selle and Dieter Grasedieck, and the main organizer of the event, the former MP Rudolf Decker, moderated the sessions. Dr. Guido Westerwelle, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr. Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag, Volker Kauder, Chairman of the CDU, and several other Members of the German Government and Parliament contributed to the Gathering. Many of the guests came from African countries, like Dr. Kakule Molo, Senator of Dem. Rep. Of Congo, and Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, a former President of Burundi.  Among the participants were also several international MPs and Members of Government.

Dr. Guido Westerwelle welcomed all the international guests to Germany on behalf of the government of the country. He spoke about the Germans’ role to serve peace and for the active defence of the human rights in the world. He mentioned his last year’s trip to Sudan as one of the success stories. He also named religious freedom as a universal right where it is right to intervene internationally. “I am angered by honour killing. There is no justification to murder,” said Westerwelle. The FM of Germany also mentioned the situation in Iraq, where the state does not intervene when Christians are persecuted. He had named the problem to the President of Iraq during his last visit there. Dr. Westerwelle ended his speech with a clear statement that he is a member of the Christian church and confesses his faith publicly.

Paul Magnuson, a Federal Court Judge from the US spoke on the prayer for rulers and leaders at the Prayer Breakfast. Richard McCormack, Director of Bank of America and Hans-Joachim Tonnellier, CEO of Volksbank of Germany spoke about responsible handling of finances in the uncertain economic situation of the world. Both of them named their personal faith in the Lord as an important part of their identity and a major factor for their decision making process.

Most of the sessions took place around meals or snack tables that gave a relaxed feeling and formed natural conversation groups of different people. People from nearly 40 different countries met each other in open and friendly atmosphere. Forming new relationships was also one of the goals of the event. All the participants expressed their hope to come to Berlin next year again.