Freedom, justice and solidarity are the basic principles underlying the work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The KAS is a 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 as well as 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 to help Germany meet its growing responsibilities throughout the world on the basis of our core values.
We encourage people to lend a hand in shaping the future along these lines. With more than 107 offices abroad and projects in over 120 countries, we make a unique contribution to the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and a social market economy. To foster peace and freedom we encourage a continuous dialogue at the national and international level and promote exchanges between cultures and religions.
Human beings in their distinctive dignity and with their rights and responsibilities are at the heart of our work. We are guided by the conviction that human beings are the starting point in the effort to bring about social justice and democratic freedom while promoting a sustainable economic system. By bringing people together who embrace their responsibilities in society, we develop active networks in the political and economic spheres as well as in society itself. The guidance we provide on the basis of our political know-how and knowledge helps to shape the globalization process along more socially equitable, ecologically sustainable and economically efficient lines.
We cooperate with governmental institutions, political parties and civil society organizations, building strong partnerships along the way. In particular, we seek to intensify political cooperation in the area of development cooperation at the national and international level in accordance with our core objectives and values. Together with our partners we make a contribution to an international order that enables every country to develop freely and self-determined.
Ever since 1994 the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Kyiv accompanies the political and economical transformation process of Ukraine. In 2017, we opened a second KAS office in Kharkiv. In this context, KAS is conducting projects on fostering democracy, strengthening civil society, enhancing the freedom of the media and consolidating democratic institutions. KAs Ukraine also works with democratic political parties in Ukraine and their youth organisations. Furthermore, we provide a possibility for politicians and representatives of civil society to build lasting networks in Germany and Europe. Additionally, an important part of our work concerns fostering young politicians and talented students.
How does KAS work in Ukraine?
In order to raise important societal issues and to put them on the political agenda, KAS organizes conferences, panel discussions and lectures. In addition, we arrange seminars, workshops and simulation games to fulfil our aims regarding civic education, consulting and training. By means of publishing books and policy papers we make the results of discussions public and provide recommendations for further action.KAS Ukraine works within a tightly knit network of Ukrainian institutional partners. Among them are the Verkhovna Rada, the Presidential Administration as well as local parliaments, political party structures, NGOs, universities and think tanks.
