Research publication
The German Political Foundation System and Its Role in International Cooperation
This content is based on a public lecture delivered on February 12 of this year by Mr. Felix Glenk, the resident representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Mongolia. The lecture, presented to faculty members and researchers at the Academy of Governance, provided insights into the role of German political foundations—particularly the Hanns Seidel Foundation—in promoting democratic governance and fostering international cooperation
The article explores the origins and development of Germany’s main political foundations, their legal frameworks, funding systems, and international operations.
Its central message can be summarized as follows: “German political foundations have consistently upheld their core missions—promoting civic education, fostering political pluralism, and advancing international cooperation—while continuously adapting to complex political environments.”
In today’s world, where democracies face multifaceted domestic and global challenges, understanding the evolving role and significance of political foundations (Stiftungen) is vital for governance and public administration research.
Although each foundation is ideologically aligned with a political party, they operate as independent, non-profit institutions in terms of legal status, structure, staffing, and funding. Established in response to the devastating lessons of World War II and with the intent of preventing the re-emergence of authoritarian regimes, these foundations now play a broad and influential role: enhancing citizens’ political education, advising governments on policy and strategy, and strengthening international cooperation.
This article uses the examples of South Korea and Mongolia to illustrate how German political foundations collaborate with countries undergoing democratic transition. Click the image to read the full article.
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