Editorial

​​​​​​​Every year the work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is shaped by three leitmotifs: the Social Market Economy, the future of European governance and the ethical foundations of modern civil society. Anniversaries and celebrations are also important milestones. one multi-year project that began in 2008 is of special importance. Entitled “Setting the Stage for the Future,” it commemorates the 60th anniversary of the founding of Germany and the 20 years that have passed since reunification. All departments are involved in the project, which goes beyond providing information on these anniversaries to highlight the crucial role that Christian Democrats played in setting Germany on its path to the future.

The foundation aims to counter a tendency towards over simplification and relativism of history. On the contrary it wants to draw attention to the elements and decisions necessary to set the stage for stability and free development, while also strengthening faith in the democratic order and its institutions. Three essays in the “Perspectives” chapter of this annual report are dedicated to this topic.

Further contributions in this chapter address the situation in europe in an election year as well as options for a resilient foreign and security policy in times of crisis.

The international financial crisis and its grave consequences still caught the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung by surprise, despite its development of longer-term and far-sighted scenarios. But thanks to the political connections of the KAS worldwide and its team of specialists well prepared to tackle globalisation issues, the foundation could leverage its economic and political expertise to first assess the facts and discernible consequences of the crisis, and then propose a series of tasks and measures drawing from the principles of the Social Market Economy. The crisis is grave. But it also provides a unique opportunity to draw attention to the fact that the governance principles of the Social Market Economy lie at the heart of the solutions to all current concerns. The “Perspective” chapter examines these aspects in detail.

The Social Market Economy has always been at the core of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s worldwide mission. Indeed, the model not only provides a solid foundation of a liberal democratic order, but also the mechanisms that limit and balance the forces at play. In a globalised world, no better system exists that both supports the development of strong markets and guarantees a social safety net along with the opportunity for personal advancement.

In 2008 – and continuing into 2009 – the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung began a comprehensive programme of analyses, reports, guidelines and brochures, as well as seminars and conferences as a way to face up to its particular responsibility in Germany and the world.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s web site puts forth a wide-ranging portfolio of activities through its specialised web pages that complement its publications and events. These tools – with their pedagogical approach to civic education – help the foundation make its content more accessible, enlarging its audience by reaching out to a public for which classic seminars usually hold little appeal. that is why the foundation’s communication strategy will continue to prioritise the expansion of its web presence. This extends toits English-language web site, which has been systematically built up in recent years. The web pages of KAS offices abroad also provide publications in the local languages.

But content can only be disseminated if it has been developed beforehand. Which is why, this year again, we want to especially thank the employees of the foundation in Germany and in more than 100 countries around the world. Without their efforts and commitment, despite frequently difficult circumstances, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung would not be able to present again such impressive results of its work.

The English edition of the annual report including the chapter “Perspectives 2009” provides an overview of the complete spectrum of our work. It showcases in an exemplary fashion the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s political expertise, which provides the basis to our activities and projects around the world. We commit ourselves thereby to never give up in our quest for democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law and justice.

You can download the full report as pdf.