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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 synonymous 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 European and 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.

The office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Budapest supports the development of free and democratic society and a social-orientated market economy in the Republic of Hungary.

The further objective of the project is to contribute in the framework of the negotiation process to the preparation of the country for its future EU membership, and deepen political dialog about Europe within a wide spectrum of political leaders.

In accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung supports the sphere of regional development, which made great progress last year by the introduction of regional self-government.

Social and political dialogue and co-operation with political parties and their educational institutions are fundamental parts of the activities of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Strengthening the centrist political forces, and the support their constructive and focused co-operation is the main task. Apart from that, co-operation of this parties on a European level is gaining ever-greater importance.

In the past years, the office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Budapest contributed significantly to the acceptance of the Republic of Hungary to NATO. Although topics related to security are no longer priority activities of the Foundation, they still play an important role in political dialogue.

Other key topics of our work here include the dialogue about fundamental social values, civil involvement in a pluralistic society, the objectives and the role of the church, relationships among different religions, the role of modern information technologies, the role of elections, parlamentarianism and People´s parties.

Instruments

The realization of the objectives of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is implemented in the first place through consultative and educational means that are carried out independently or in co-operation with partners. Seminars, conferences, lectures, discussion groups and the publishing of newsletters are the principle instruments of the work of our branch of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The projects and programmes are complemented with endorsement of scholarships, study and information programmes in Germany and Brussels, research and documentation of political events and topics.

Political Dialogue

Intended to be a project of societal education, the activities of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in the Republic of Hungary are oriented towards the above mentioned principal topical areas. Target groups are principal representatives and decision-makers from the areas of politics, business, science, the media and society. The main aim for the foundation is to achieve an open dialogue and an exchange of experiences between high ranking representatives of the public with their counterparts from Germany.

In order to improve the network of personal relations, more and more use is made of the opportunities modern communication technology offers. Furthermore, the educational and informational offerings of the foundation are aimed at decision makers of the younger generation.