The name of the association "Round Table" and its leitmotif "Adopt-adapt-improve" come directly from a speech by the Prince of Wales at an industrial fair in 1927: "Young professionals and traders in this country should gather around the table (Round Table), adopt methods that have proved their worth in the past (adopt), adapt them according to the needs of progress (adapt) and improve them whenever possible (improve). " The Round Table is therefore also conceived as an engine of technical progress by seeking to bring together deserving professionals from each field, a kind of "think tank" before the letter.
However, the objective is intellectual and above all moral. By getting to know different professions, members can discover synergies or complementarities, but above all they broaden their intellectual horizons. The search for diversity is therefore equivalent to the search for the broadest and most open spectrum of knowledge to make the Round Table a fertile forum for the exchange of ideas.
As newly elected National President, I’m really happy to move the good work forward that my predecessors have delivered. Whit our election as Association of the year in the CEETM region we have to hold our grounds and lead by giving a good example. With that in mind, this year stands for Opportunities that we can take. Thanks to Gilles Walers and his HYM committee we will have a splendid International event in February where we can show the world where a small country can be big in. On this podium we can discuss how we can do better, where help is needed and how as Luxembourg we can mark our fellowship and friendship.
To finish off, have this year a lot of fun, take the opportunity to forge new friendships and go out there! Do not be a stranger with your neighboring Tablers, join their statutory or see one of their Community Service events. I would love to see you on national and international events, where we can share the same rich values and beliefs we stand for!
Thanks RT6 for supporting me as National President and of course all other Tablers in Luxembourg who are supporting me in making this a great Tabling year.
Vive la Table Ronde Luxembourgeoise !
Yours in Tabling,
Robert Van den OORD
National President 2019/2020
The founder of the Round Table is one of those citizens who, involved in their time, have made a heartfelt commitment to change its course. It is no coincidence that the Round Table has become an expression of the key ideas of that time, namely the desire for progress and peace. While the association reflects this spirit, it is quite particular in the choice of the means it uses to achieve its objectives: to bring together a sample of individuals representative of society and to offer them a forum for growth and friendship.
The hypothesis is simple: a group of open, responsible and heartfelt young men, forged by a global friendship, is a vehicle for intellectual and moral progress and peace for the whole society.
The objectives of the national Round Table associations reflect this idea. The same is true for the goals of the Luxembourg Round Table, which are modelled on those of the French Round Table, its patron Table:
Fostering the union of young men in different professions;
Demonstrate that any profession exercised with honour and conscience is useful to the community;
To encourage each of its members, by his personal example, to ensure the prestige of his profession, occupation or function and to make known to others its own value;
Promote the highest moral values, both professional and civic;
To promote understanding, understanding and international peace by developing and maintaining cordial relations throughout the world between men representing various professions;
The Luxembourg Round Table refrains from any expression of opinion, discussion or vote in the field of politics or religion.
The Luxembourg Round Table supports many social projects at local, national and international level. Through activities, called "Community Services", funds are raised to support these various projects. Here are some examples of projects carried out over the years by one of the six local round tables and the national project: