60 years of international work
60 years of international work by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Global dialogue for democracy, freedom, and the rule of law

Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert on the international work by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
“No other political foundation has been working with so many partners in so many countries for so long as we have.”
(Video only in German)
YouTube, Onlinekas
First international projects in the shadow of the Cold War
Our long-standing and diverse international engagement began in the 1960s. In the early years, the focus of international work was laid on the cooperation with Christian trade unions in Latin America. In Asia, the Vietnam War determined the development of an entire region. In view of this political situation, KAS could only cautiously stretch out its feelers. Also here, the cooperation with Christian trade unions laid the foundation for further projects in the Philippines.
Adventure Abroad - How Political Foundation Work Started in the 1960s
Josef Thesing discovered Guatemala on horseback in 1966. He remembers his pioneering work far from home in a time before fax machines.
(Audio only in German)
podigee, Auslandsinfo
In 1979, the first contacts were established in the People’s Republic of China. Despite difficult conditions, KAS also took the big step to Africa: the Foundation celebrated its first two office openings in Cameroon and Tanzania. On the continent, where the colonial era had largely just ended, there were high expectations from the national independence movements that, however, could only rarely be fulfilled.
The 1970s and 1980s were characterised by a geographical expansion of work in Europe and North America. The central goal was expanding the Transatlantic Community of Values, and thus, intensifying relations between EU and NATO partners.
The fall of the Iron Curtain brought an entire range of new opportunities for the Foundation’s work. In the ten countries of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe that have joined the EU, the Foundation has helped them to overcome the hurdles on the way to EU accession by providing political advice and educational work.
Together against global challenges
In the meantime, our worldwide network has grown to 110 offices in more than 80 countries on all continents. Development policy issues can no longer be viewed in isolation from issues of foreign and security policy, economic policy, or environmental policy.
In conversation with Dr Gerhard Wahlers
Today, KAS is represented in over 100 countries. In this interview with Dr Gerhard Wahlers, we talk about the development and challenges of the Foundation’s international work.
(Video only in German)
YouTube, Onlinekas
In the third decade of the 21st century, the corona pandemic has shown how closely interconnected the world is and that pressing issues of our time can only be solved collectively. Climate change, ongoing migration movements, failing states, internationally active terrorists, resource conflicts and, unfortunately, after decades of peace, acts of war on European soil make cross-border cooperation and multilateralism more important than ever before.
The world today is fundamentally different from 60 years ago. The task of implementing a political, social, and economic order oriented towards human dignity in all parts of the world has remained, even if it is being performed in ever new forms.
Shaping democracy together!
Democratic progress today faces several challenges. We wish to contribute to building and maintaining a safe society through our international work.
3Q
In our events at home and abroad, we address the pressing issues of the future.
Learn more about our work abroad and our worldwide office network
Publications to the topic

“Defending What Matters to Us”
60 Years of International Work by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Foreign Policy Challenges Facing Us Today
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Sören Soika, Fabian Wagener
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July 8, 2022
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International Reports

La Fundación Konrad Adenauer y sus 60 años de amistad, solidaridad y cooperación en América Latina
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David Araujo
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July 6, 2022
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Single title

40 Jahre vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit und starke Partnerschaft
Das Auslandsbüro Israel der KAS feiert Geburtstag
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Philipp Burkhardt
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June 29, 2022
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Event Reports

15 Years KAS Kosovo
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June 17, 2022
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Event Reports
Media library
Seit 60 Jahren in Lateinamerika
Vor 60 Jahren wurden die ersten Auslandsbüro in Chile und Venezuela eröffnet. Olaf Jacob und Annette Schwarzbauer berichten über die aktuellen Schwerpunkte der Arbeit vor Ort.
"Die KAS hat früh die regionale Bedeutung Nigerias erkannt."
Die Stärkung von demokratischer Regierungsführung und die Reformunterstützung im Sicherheitssektor gehören zu den Schwerpunkten der Arbeit vor Ort. Marija Peran berichtet.
Strategic partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region
With int. engagement of our offices, we want to support strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Florian Feyerabend and Rabea Brauer report from Vietnam and Japan (in German).
“We are convinced that young people have something to say.”
Making the young generation strong through political education - this is what our offices are working for. Thomas Volk and Edmund Ratka report from Tunisia and Jordan (in German).
Greeting by Arnaud Robinet, Mayor of the City of Reims, on the 60th anniversary of the Peace Fair
In 1962, Charles de Gaulle and Adenauer attended the Peace Mass in Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral and laid the foundation for Franco-German friendship (in French, German subtitles)
Our locations worldwide
Our locations
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Germany
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Africa
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Asia and the Pacific
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North America
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