About Us

Welcome

Freedom, justice and solidarity are the basic principles underlying the work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The KAS is a political foundation, closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). As co-founder of the CDU and the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) united Christian-social, conservative and liberal traditions. His name is synonomous with the democratic reconstruction of Germany, the firm alignment of foreign policy with the trans-Atlantic community of values, the vision of a unified Europe and an orientation towards the social market economy. His intellectual heritage continues to serve both as our aim as well as our obligation today.

In our international cooperation efforts we work for people to be able to live self-determined lives in freedom and dignity. We make a contribution underpinned by values to helping Germany meet its growing responsibilities throughout the world.

We encourage people to lend a hand in shaping the future along these lines. With more than 70 offices abroad and projects in over 120 countries, we make a unique contribution to the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and a social market economy. To foster peace and freedom we encourage a continuous dialog at the national and international levels as well as the exchange between cultures and religions.

Human beings in their distinctive dignity and with their rights and responsibilities are at the heart of our work. We are guided by the conviction that human beings are the starting point in the effort to bring about social justice and democratic freedom while promoting sustainable economic activity. By bringing people together who embrace their responsibilities in society, we develop active networks in the political and economic spheres as well as in society itself. The guidance we provide on the basis of our political know-how and knowledge helps to shape the globalization process along more socially equitable, ecologically sustainable and economically efficient lines.

We cooperate with governmental institutions, political parties, civil society organizations and handpicked elites, building strong partnerships along the way. In particular we seek to intensify political cooperation in the area of development cooperation at the national and international levels on the foundations of our objectives and values. Together with our partners we make a contribution to the creation of an international order that enables every country to develop in freedom and under its own responsibility.

Our work in Israel

More than 40 years ago, Konrad Adenauer and David Ben-Gurion laid the foundation for reconciliation between Germany and Israel and for the future in partnership of the two nations. Carrying on the legacy of the late chancellor, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) has been active in Israel for more than 25 years.

Together with local partner organizations we work on three main objectives:

• We preserve and further develop the relationship between Germany and Israel. This task is increasingly acquiring a European dimension as well.
  

• We support efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Israel.
  

• We strive to facilitate a peaceful coexistence between Israel and its neighbors.
  

The future of German-Israeli relations is one of KAS’s most challenging tasks. We are currently facing a watershed in German-Israeli history: The generation of survivors and witnesses of the Shoah is slowly passing away. To many members of the younger generations it is often not obvious why the relations between the two countries are so important for both sides. KAS sees it as one of its prime tasks to foster a future-oriented and sustained dialogue between Germans and Israelis. This trustful dialogue is to be based on the lessons of the past, but also on common values and shared future challenges in the fields of society, science and security.

Our efforts in aiding the Israeli civil society mainly focus on projects improving the integration of minorities. One example is our joint program with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, which helps Bedouins achieve higher education and thus enables them to participate more successfully in Israel’s modern society. For years we have also undertaken extensive programs advancing in practice equal rights for women. In further projects we raise awareness for human rights issues and non-violent conflict management.

In order to help assure Israel’s existence in peace and security by bringing about a peaceful solution to the conflict with the Palestinians and Israel’s Arab neighbors, KAS organizes dialogue programs for Israeli and Palestinian politicians, officials, businessmen, journalists and students. Not even during the worst times of the “Second Intifada” did these meetings stop. In many cases the participants managed to solve practical problems while at the same time helping to lay the basis for a future comprehensive peace. Other outcomes were common Israeli-Palestinian teaching materials and the strengthening of the Israeli-Jordanian relations through joint business meetings.

All KAS projects are guided by our belief in the benefits of democracy, freedom, market economy and peaceful coexistence. We aim at making a lasting and sustainable contribution to Israel’s thriving in peace, prosperity and partnership with Europe.

Dr. Lars Hänsel