Welcome to the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung!
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 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 70 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 dialog at the national and international levels 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. 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 sustainable economic activity. 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, civil society organizations and handpicked elites, 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 levels on the foundations of 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.
Regional Programme Political Dialogue and Regional Integration South Mediterranean (PolDiMed)
Besides the eight country-based programmes which the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung runs in the Middle East and Northern Africa, three regional programmes supplement the foundations country-based efforts and serve as regional frameworks focussing on selected key topics.
The Regional Programme Political Dialogue and Regional Integration South Mediterranean (PolDiMed) is based in Tunis and implements cross-national projects with reference to South (Maghreb) and East Mediterranean (Mashrek). Its objective is to strengthen the political dialogue and societal and economic integration in the Mediterranean region and to sustainably promote cooperation and partnership with the European Union.
Following core areas fall within the programme’s scope:
- Supporting regional economic and societal integration
- Strengthening cross-regional cooperation as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy
- Facilitating dialogue and enhancement of cooperation with the EU
- Promoting cross-national exchange particularly in regard to security, refugee and migration policies and strategies
- Supporting reform processes regarding regional issues in the Southern Mediterranean
Target groups are primarily reform-oriented decision-makers and junior fellows from politics, economics and academia, who consider democratic principles and economic integration as key areas for peace, freedom and economic prosperity in the region.
An important instrument for implementing these goals is cross-country and cross-regional dialogue programmes such as workshops, conferences or information and study visits together with international, European and local experts. The activities are designed to enhance the exchange of information and experiences. Furthermore, policy papers and researches illustrate concepts for partnership-based cooperation and raise awareness among decision-makers for integrated, cross-regional solutions to challenges such as migration, refugee and terrorism.