Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a German 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 and 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 80 offices abroad and projects in over 100 countries, we make a unique contribution to the promotion of peace and freedom. We support a continuous dialogue on foreign policy and security policy matters 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. By bringing together people who embrace their responsibilities in society, we develop active networks in the political and economic spheres as well as in society itself. Our political knowledge management improves the chances for shaping the globalization process in a socially equitable, ecologically sustainable and economically efficient fashion.

 

We build strong partnerships with governmental institutions, parties, civil society organizations and handpicked public, governmental and political elites. In particular we seek to intensify political cooperation in the area of development policy at the national and international levels based on 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.

 

In Belarus, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung engages the entire society in dialogue. We would like to support and make stronger bilateral relations of the Republic of Belarus with the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. Our aim is to help the Republic of Belarus find an active, self-sufficient and self-determined place among the European community of states. We perceive ourselves to be a think-tank and a bridge-builder, which creates political opportunities, ensures interactions and exchange between Belarus and the EU.

 

To achieve these goals, the KAS, among other things, organizes educational events and consultations, dialogue and information programmes in Belarus, Lithuania, Germany and Brussels. On the one hand, we inform Belarusian target groups about politics, economy and society in Germany and Europe. On the other hand, we report developments in Belarus to political decision-makers and public in Europe through our articles and via social networks. During conferences and seminars in Belarus, our dialogue focuses on substantive issues that determine the future of the Republic of Belarus. We support individual students and post-graduate students from Belarus under our broad scholarship programme.

 

Our partners in Belarus include members of parliament, politicians, members of the government and administration officers of all levels, representatives of the economy (enterprises and business associations), journalists, media representatives and owners, think-tank experts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governmental organizations (GOs), researchers, professors, associate professors and teachers from a variety of educational institutions, as well as youth and students.