European and International Affairs
The unity of Europe was a dream of a few. It became the hope of many. Today, it is a necessity for all of us. It is [...] necessary for our security, our peace, our existence as a nation and as an intellectually creative international community.
At a time when the realignment of global power relations is becoming increasingly obvious, Germany and Europe must adapt and expand their concepts, strategies and instruments. In the areas of foreign and European policy, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has set itself the objective of strengthening political and academic awareness of new foreign policy challenges, drawing up analysis and consulting services and contributing towards a new foreign policy culture in Germany. We do this with the help of our more than 100 country offices and our experts in Germany. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung uses its event series, its regularly published political reports and studies, podcasts, a stronger multi-media presence as well as the International Reports magazine to raise broad public awareness of European and international affairs. Which focal points and basic convictions guide us in this?
Security Is Becoming More Multifaceted and Increasingly Complex
For us, the Transatlantic Partnership and the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy are the cornerstones of our security. We want to strengthen them through our work. We believe, on the one hand, that security entails the classic military capability of national and alliance defence. Yet we know that we have to think about the concept of security in a multi-faceted way, on the other. The fight against Islamist terrorism is therefore just as high on our agenda as the complex interactions between climate change and security, and global health policy and security.
Innovations Determine Competitiveness
First and foremost, we see new innovations as an opportunity, and have tasked our country offices with keeping a close eye on how other societies are using possibilities of digitalisation. This is how we bring best practice to Germany. We are convinced that only through innovation can Germany and Europe remain economically competitive and in the political race with authoritarian models of society, while at the same time redesigning their production in an environmentally sustainable manner. On the other hand, we are aware of the challenges of digitalisation and discuss possibilities to politically shape it in terms of protecting the private sphere and our liberal social order.
Functioning Parties Support Stable Democracies
Democracy cannot function without functioning political parties! This credo also guides our work abroad. We thus strengthen and connect our partner parties in the different regions around the world and especially their young professionals, both with regard to content and to modern and value-based political communication. At the same time, we know that representative democracy facilitated by parties can be usefully complemented by participatory elements. That is why we strengthen selected civil society actors – not least in countries where free party competition cannot take place. It is particularly interested in supporting those people and institutions that champion the peaceful transition to democracy.
European Unification – Looking Ahead
We see ourselves as a European foundation. We would like to counter growing nationalist and populist tendencies in many European Union Member States. Therefore, our work in Europe fosters understanding between member states and looks to the future: What holds us together as Europeans and in what kind of Europe do we want to live together? How do we practice solidarity with our European neighbours without losing sight of the individual responsibility of each state?
Liberal World Order Must Be Reformed
Many crises in recent years not least the Corona pandemic, have illustrated how important functioning multilateral organisations are for a rules-based world order. We thus actively support the reform process of the United Nations, just like the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation. For us, “multilateral world order” is always synonymous with liberal world order – both politically and economically. Today, this liberal word order is being challenged by authoritarian counter-models. That is why our work abroad is strengthening the ties with states, outside the North Atlantic region, which could be important allies in this conflict.
International Offices and Programmes
The commitment to democracy, rule of law, freedom and social market economy can only be sustainable if it is approached internationally.
Country Offices and Regional Programmes
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
With more than 110 offices in over 80 countries, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung pursues three main goals:
- improving political framework conditions in the countries of operation and resolving problems in line with the foundation’s goals and values;
- promoting the transfer of knowledge between Germany and the countries of operation;
- creating public forums for the representation of German political and economic interests.
You can find an overview with all offices on our worldwide map
International Media Programme
Tim Weber
A democracy only functions if freedom of the press and of expression are guaranteed. However, these basic conditions do not exist in many countries around the world. That is why our offices in Johannesburg, Singapore and Sofia support media in the respective region with accepting its political responsibility and with contributing towards the development of democracy and strengthening statutory framework conditions. This enables the emergence of an independent media landscape as well as establishing a basis for the free formation of opinions in politics and society.
International Rule of Law Programme
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Since 1990, the foundation has complemented its international projects for democracy promotion and political dialogue with the transnational Global Rule of Law Programme. Locations of the five regional programmes are in Bogotá for Latin America, Singapore for Asia, Nairobi Dakar for Sub-Saharan Africa, Bucharest for South-East Europe and Beirut for the Middle East/North Africa. Global activities concerning the rule of law are coordinated from Berlin.
International Party and Political Dialogue
KAS MDPD
Democracy promotion is one of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s primary objectives abroad, too. For us, parties are integral actors of a functioning and vibrant democracy. That is why we promote and take care of exchange and cooperation. We support democratic parties and politically active persons that share our values. Through our work both on the ground and at regional and international level, we provide a platform for political dialogue with and between parties and their target groups. Learn more on the pages of our Regional Programmes.
International Energy Security and Climate Change Programmes
Allie Caulfield / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 / Stefan Stahlberg
Since 2015, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has played a role in strengthening supra-regional dialogue on the topics of energy, climate and environmental policy. Our Regional Programmes are located in: Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa. Here special emphasis is placed on accompanying currents debates, developing solutions as well as promoting specific projects of sustainable action in politics, business and society. For, the curtailment of man-made global warming and associated shift away from fossil fuels envisaged by the Paris Climate Agreement, presents humanity with just as great a challenge as the consequences of climate change.
Learn more about the energy security and climate change programmes
European Offices
pixabay
The European Office Brussels has been supporting the European Union’s development since 1978. What is more, it supervises projects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The goal is to positively influence the European integration process in the spirit of Konrad Adenauer, with EU policy being particularly important for us in this regard. The European Office sees itself as a forum for Christian Democratic interests. It primarily aims to heighten understanding of basic motives behind the unification process.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels shapes development policy dialogue with the European Union and NATO. In doing so, it contributes the experience and expertise of KAS’ global project work as well as the interests of German development policy to the consultation process of the European Union.
Selected Event Series
Strengthening the culture of debate and arousing interest in international political issues: that is the main focus of our regular event formats. This way, our foreign policy expertise reaches a broad public outside the political establishment in Berlin, and, in turn, obtains valuable insights.
F.A.Z.-KAS Debate on International Politics
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. / Volker Hielscher
The annual F.A.Z.-KAS Debate on International Politics intends to play a part in reinforcing the important discussion on foreign policy issues in Germany. This debate brings together two partners with extensive experience and knowledge in international affairs: The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung with its 111 offices abroad and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which for many years has been analysing international politics with its recognised foreign policy expertise.
Learn more about the F.A.Z.-KAS Debate
Adenauer Conference
Tobias Koch
What role does NATO play? What is the Corona pandemic affecting security policy? Where is Europe in the system competition? At the annual Symposium on Germany’s Role in International Security Policy, high-ranking politicians and experts discuss strategic issues for the future.
Speech on Europe
Switsch
The Speech on Europe is the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe: The President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission takes it in turns to present their positions on the idea and state of Europe. The format is a cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.
GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum
Michal Petrík
Since 2005, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has been an important partner in the organisation of the annual GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum. The Forum is one of the most important strategic conferences in the field of security and international relations. The aim is to promote dialogue on current and future challenges in European and foreign policy.
Forte de Copacabana
KAS Brasilien
Since 2003, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brazil, in cooperation with the foreign policy think tank Brazilian Centre for International Relations (CEBRI) and the Delegation of the European Union, has organised the annual International Security Conference “Forte de Copacabana”. The main objectives of the conference are to discuss and exchange current international security issues of common interest to partners on both sides of the Atlantic.
Selected publication and website projects
We accompany current events analytically and use our expertise on the ground or take up interesting debates and look at them from different angles: The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung regularly produces exciting information pages, publications and website projects on various aspects of international issues, which we present to you below.
Protests in Iran
Darafsh / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Since mid-September 2022, thousands of people in Iran have been protesting daily against the regime of the Islamic Republic. They are demanding more rights and freedoms as well as an end to the 43-year rule of the theocratic regime under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The wave of protests was triggered by the violent death of the Iranian Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amin, who was arrested by the notorious morality police in Tehran. The scale of the current protests is unprecedented, with people from all walks of life and age groups participating for the first time. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is monitoring the situation i Iran from the ZEntrale in Berlin and its foreign offices in the region.
Partner Atlas
New world order, new partners?
A Partner Atlas for German Foreign Policy
YouTube, Onlinekas
With the “Partner Atlas” we have developed ideas and proposals with which international partners Germany's foreign policy interests can be implemented. Currently, the value- and rule-based world order is being challenged by a war in Europe. Multilateral institutions and rules are also increasingly being called into question and liberal democracies are coming under pressure from within and without. It must therefore no longer be a question of only strengthening existing partnerships, beyond NATO and the EU, but also of exploring new partnerships, forging relationships and placing them on a stable foundation and gradually developing them further.
Selected Podcasts
Politics for on the Move: Accessible via any Smartphone, our podcasts provide exciting insights and background information on international topics. In discussions that are easy to understand by the general public, experts as well as KAS specialists explain foreign policy events and developments, international politics and place global debates in the forefront. Thanks to the audio format, conversation partners can be reached anywhere in the world.
Auslandsinfo.Der Podcast
What obstacles do young people worldwide have to overcome, if they want to get involved in the political scene? What should development cooperation of the future look like? The podcast takes up the topics dealt with in current editions of International Reports. Authors and specialists explain international politics.
Auslandsinfo.Aktuell
Election results, conflict situations, natural disaster –our podcast classifies current events and developments. KAS employees on site report from their own observations and provide exclusive background information.
Learn more about Auslandsinfo.Aktuell
Auslandsinfo.Spotlight
Background information in which there is no space in the news or topics underexposed in the media – the “Spotlight” podcast gives them the attention they deserve: Hence, scarcely addressed ongoing crises are examined, geopolitical shifts are explained and connections are established.
Multipod
How does the United Nations Human Rights Council work? What multilateral alliances are there in Latin America? And why is arms control important? From New York to Brussels, Geneva and Vienna to Singapore - in the MultiPod, once a month we talk about current international and multilateral issues. Besides experts from international organisations, our colleagues from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s worldwide network of country offices have their say. They classify processes in depth, explain connections and provide background information.
Rule of Law Rules
What value is accorded to human rights in the digital age? We speak to international experts about data protection, legal tech and the use of artificial intelligence.
Learn more about the Rule of Law Rules
Anniversary: 60 Years of International Work
Our international engagement began in the 1960s in Latin America. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is now represented on all continents with over 100 offices in more than 80 countries. With its projects, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung campaigns worldwide for the rule of law, multilateralism, climate protection and social market economy.
On the Beginnings and Development of Work Abroad
The world has changed dramatically over the last 60 years. Yet the mission of realising a political, social and economic order based on human dignity in all parts of the world, has remained. Here you can read, see and hear all about the beginnings and development of our work abroad.
Learn more about the beginnings and developments of the work abroad
International Elections 2022: When? What? Where?
A direct look at elections in all regions of the world as well as further links are provided here in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s country offices.
Publications to the topic
Canva Pro Stock
CALL FOR COUNTRY EXPERTS FOR INTERVIEWS ON DEMOCRACY CLIMATE CHANGE CORRELATIONS IN ONE OF 6 TARGET C...
THE NETHERLANDS, CANADA, BRAZIL, INDONESIA, SOUTH AFRICA, AND CHINA
REUTERS / Borut Zivulovic
Die erste Runde der Kommunalwahlen in Slowenien
Das Superwahljahr in Slowenien wird fortgesetzt
Gulshan Khan, Reuters.
Zwischen den Stühlen
Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländer im sich verschärfenden Systemkonflikt
Kim Kyung-Hoon, Reuters.
Vom Biss des Bären lernen, den Drachen zu bändigen?
Implikationen des russischen Angriffskrieges für Deutschlands neue Chinastrategie
Adriano Machado, Reuters.
Höchste Zeit, zu handeln
Europa muss dem Werben Chinas und Russlands in Lateinamerika entschiedener entgegentreten
Brendan McDermid, Reuters.
Das Ringen um Einfluss
Die Vereinten Nationen als Spielfeld des Systemwettbewerbs
KAS MDPD
Global Climate Alliance For Accelerated Climate Action
The GCA Collaborative is proposing an open and inclusive global agreement to massively accelerate the Global South’s progress to net-zero emissions.
Conflict Weekly #148, 3 November 2022, Vol.3, No.31
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI and KAS-India Office
REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic
Die erste Frau an der Spitze Sloweniens: Neue Präsidentin – neue Dynamiken?
Ein Blick auf die politische Bühne im Land
35th Special Session of UN Human Rights Council on Islamic Republic of Iran
Map of the Month 11/2022
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.
Weltpolitik gestalten
Ghanas Vorsitz im Sicherheitsrat der Vereinten Nationen
New Realities of Multilateralism
Panorama Insights into Asian and European Affairs
Ist die Demokratie resilient genug gegen Desinformationskampagnen?
Einblicke in die Nachtseite von Social Media
Security-related developments in the Chechen communities in Germany
How Antidemocrats Struggle for Influence in the Shadow of Foreclosure Tendencies and Generational Conflicts
Manfred Weber, presidente del Partido Popular Europeo y eurodiputado, visita oficina de la KAS Chile
Manfred Weber viaja a Chile y Argentina
UCEP
Western Balkans Accession to EU: Lessons for Ukraine
Analytical Paper
Reuters / Handout
Neue Regierung im Irak
Reuters / Ronen Zvulun
Netanjahus Tanz auf dem Vulkan
Israel nach den Wahlen
Conflict Weekly #147, 27 October 2022, Vol.3, No.30
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI and KAS-India Office
REUTERS / John Sibley
Diversity and democracy in the Conservative Party
Over time, the Conservatives have come to look and sound a little more like the country they aspire to run.
Events on the topic
Dec
05
2022
Was kostet die Freiheit? Zur Zukunft der westlichen Sicherheitspolitik
F.A.Z.-KAS-Debatte 2022
Dec
05
2022
Die Frankfurter Perspektive: Ein Blick auf das politische Jahr 2022
Wiesbadener Tischgespräch der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Dec
08
2022
Spotlight Great Britain II. Großbritanniens Kurs unter Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak ist der dritte Brexit- und fünfte Torie-Premierminister, seit die Konservativen 2012 dieses Amt bekleiden. Welchen Kurs schlägt er politisch ein?
Dec
09
2022
Steuern in schwieriger Lage: Eine Bilanz der tschechischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft
37. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live
Event reports on the topic
KAS
Eine neue Zukunft für den Westen
kas.de
Eine Bilanz des 36. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live am 17.11.2022: "Die USA nach den Zwischenwahlen"
Marion Sendker sprach mit Prof. Dr. Stefan Fröhlich und Prof. Dr. Jared Sonnicksen über die Wahlfolgen für das innenpolitische Klima und die außenpolitische Handlungsfähigkeit.
KAS
Akute Hilfe, Wiederaufbau, Partnerschaft
Drei Abgeordnete aus der Ukraine besuchten NRW.
Stahr/Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
Viel mehr als ein reines Wirtschaftsprojekt
Die Montanindustrie und die deutsch-französischen Beziehungen seit der Gründung der Europäischen Gemeinschaft für Kohle und Stahl
Ich werde nicht hassen: Meine Töchter starben, meine Hoffnung lebt weiter
Die Geschichte von Prof. Izzeldin Abuelaish
#KAS4SECURITY "Was bedeutet Sicherheit in der heutigen Zeit?"
1. Aachener Zukunftsforum für ein wehrhaftes Europa
Juliane Liebers
Europa-Rede 2022
Feierliche Eröffnung unseres Büros in Quito
Johannes Hügel übernimmt Leitung vor Ort
Gemeinsam für ein starkes Europa!
Neusser Stadtgespräch unter der Schirmherrschaft von Hermann Gröhe MdB mit Manfred Weber MdEP
Landesgruppe Brandenburg des Verbands der Reservisten der Deutschen Bundeswehr e.V.
Vorstöße Russlands zur Aufnahme von Verhandlungen denkbar
Diskussion "Wie umgehen mit Russland?" am 2. November 2022 in Potsdam
Martin Reuber
Gemeinsam gehen will gelernt sein
Ein Werkstattbericht über die Zukunft der afrikanisch-europäischen Partnerschaft
Welches Europa wollen wir sein?
1. Jugendtag für Europa
Wichtigkeit von innovativen Diagnostika zur Gesundheitssystemstärkung & Pandemievorsorge
Offizielles Side-Event am World Health Summit der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Thomas Ehlen / kas.de
Sechs Wochen vor der Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft
Politische und wirtschaftliche Potenziale in Katar und den Nachbarstaaten am Persischen Golf / Eine Bilanz des Wiesbadener Tischgesprächs 10. Oktober 2022
Twitter-Spaces „Die Agrarmärkte und der internationale Handel im Zeitalter des russischen Angriffskri...
KAS/Aschoff
„Es ist Zeit, dass wir zurückgeben, was wir einst erhalten haben.“
5. Bonner Forum zur Einheit
kas.de
75 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeit: Indiens Perspektive im globalen Machtgefüge
Eine Bilanz des 35. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live am 21.09.2022
Martin Reuber
Reichen die Maßnahmen gegen die steigende Inflation?
Ein deutsch-französisches Streitgespräch über die aktuellen Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Kaufkraftverlustes
Thomas Ehlen /kas.de
Aufgewacht in einer „anderen Welt“? Welche Beiträge Deutschland jetzt leisten muss
Eine Bilanz des Fuldaer Gesprächs 14. September 2022
Photothek / Leon Kügeler
"Energie mag teurer werden, aber Freiheit ist unbezahlbar"
Tag der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 2022
Media library
How RCEP shapes supply chains in Vietnam
Reviewing the important research results of research "How RCEP shapes supply chains in Vietnam". It is carried out by NCIF and supported by KAS Vietnam.
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Punkt zwrotny. Wojna Putina i jej konsekwencje
"Putin to człowiek służb, myśli w kategoriach spiskowych". Były niemiecki ambasador pisze w książce o Rosji i przyczynach wojny - opisuje Aleksander Sławiński w GW
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E-lection Bridge Conference 2022: Côte d'Ivoire
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KAS-BG