The Development Policy Forum works specifically on development policy issues within the Social Democratic Party of Germany. It draws up and discusses proposals that are ultimately voted on at party conferences and determine the party's development policy direction.

The members of the committee meet regularly with representatives from politics, business and society in developing countries. One of these forums took place in Wiesbaden in September 1977. The city council took the opportunity to invite the politicians and their international guests to a reception in the ballroom of the town hall.

After Lord Mayor Schmitt had welcomed the visitors and praised their commitment to social justice in the world, the participants signed the city's Golden Book.