Editorial
Old and new crises, conflicts and wars have dominated the year 2023 and its agenda and played a correspondingly large role in our work. Ukraine continues to fight against Russia's invasion and for freedom in Europe. Here in Germany, we are still feeling the effects of the war. We must never get used to this situation and let up in our support for Ukraine. To mark the first anniversary of the invasion by Russia and the " Zeitenwende" proclaimed by Olaf Scholz, we renamed the "Cafe Moskau" in Berlin "Cafe Kyiv" for a major event at the end of February 2023 and dedicated ourselves to the diverse history, the painful present and the future of Ukraine with an unprecedented public participation.
On 7 October 2023, we received unimaginably cruel and unbearable images and reports from Israel. Palestinian Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip had attacked Israeli civilians with unimaginable brutality, murdered over 1,200 people and kidnapped around 240. There have not been such inhumane crimes against Jews since the Shoah. Now more than ever, it is our duty not only to express our full solidarity with Israel in words, but also for our country to demonstrate in deeds what Israel's security means in concrete terms as part of Germany's reason of state. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation has utilised its good relations with Israel and its embassy to provide practical support for the associated concerns.
The direct effects of the conflict are currently being felt worldwide. In Germany, we have once again had to recognise that antisemitism is not only particularly virulent among immigrant populations, but is now also openly evident in many other social groups. We will not tolerate antisemitism in our country, regardless of whether it is indigenous or immigrant.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation has had an office in Israel for over 40 years. We will continue to do everything we can to support Israel on the ground. The situation in the region and our work there will change in the near future. But one thing remains the same: The Konrad Adenauer Foundation will continue to stand by Israel's side.
In light of the wars in Ukraine and Israel, our three key topics - freedom needs security, democracy needs participation, sustainability needs innovation - have once again proven their worth to the full. In these turbulent times, they give our work direction and enable us to communicate our positions to the public in a focused manner.
Our KAS Fellow 2023, Prof. Dr Antje Boetius, Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute/Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research and Professor of Geomicrobiology at the University of Bremen, also contributed to this. The multi-award-winning scientist has opened up new perspectives on key issues for the future and supported us in formulating political responses that take account of scientific findings and requirements.
Special anniversaries this year gave us the opportunity to look back and reflect on the present. On 5 January, we used the 147th birthday of our namesake to commemorate the founding of the State of Israel 75 years ago with the country's new ambassador. Also in January, we commemorated the signing of the Élysée Treaty 60 years ago, which was important for Franco-German relations. We also commemorated the 175th anniversary of the Frankfurt National Assembly, the 100th anniversary of the crisis year of 1923 and the 70th anniversary of the popular uprising of 17 June 1953 with a variety of measures and recalled the historical events with the aim of drawing lessons from them for the present and future.
2023 was another very challenging year. We are therefore all the more grateful to all our employees for their great commitment throughout the year. We would also like to thank all members of our committees for their constructive cooperation. Our sincere thanks go to all of the supporters of our circle of friendes (Freundeskreis), donors, sponsors and partners for their moral and financial support. We would also like to thank our many partners at national and international level for their proven cooperation.
We will continue to do everything we can to live up to the trust you place in us and our work. We will continue to rely on your support, which will allow us to tackle the tasks ahead with confidence and self-assurance.
