The Heinrich Böll Foundation is part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. Their main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. They place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. They are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities and to the societal and political participation of immigrants. Finally, they promote non-violence and proactive peace policies.

To achieve their goals, they seek strategic partnerships with others who share their values. They are an independent organisation, that is, they determine their own priorities and policies.

They are based in the Federal Republic of Germany, yet they are an international actor in both ideal and practical terms.

Our namesake, the writer and Nobel Prize laureate Heinrich Böll, personifies the values they stand for: defence of freedom, civic courage, tolerance, open debate, and the valuation of art and culture as independent spheres of thought and action.

 

WHO THEY ARE

 

1. THEY Are a Green Think Tank

• They promote democratic reforms and social innovation.
• They work on ecological policies and sustainable development on a global level.
• They provide space for the presentation of and debate on art and culture.
• They transfer knowledge and skills from experts to political actors.
• They provide a forum for open debate and promote dialogue between politics, business, academia, and society.
• They support talented students active on socio-political issues both in Germany and abroad.
• They document the history of the Green movement in order to promote research and provide political inspiration.

 

2. They Are an International Policy Network

• They are part of the global Green network and promote the development of the Green political movement on all continents. 
• They focus especially on the broadening and deepening of the European Green movement.
• They work actively for the development of a political European  public.
• They support the participation of civil society in politics and, within the framework of multilateral organisations, take part in conferences and negotiations.

 

3. They Are Active on Ecology, Democracy, and Human Rights Worldwide

• They consider ecology and democracy to be inseparable. They support individuals and projects that are committed to ecology, human rights, democracy, and self-determination.
• They support respect for the rule of law and democratic participation in all parts of the world.
• They promote the abolition of conditions of dominance, dependency, and violence between the sexes. 
• They consider ethnic and cultural diversity to be an essential part of democratic culture.
• They encourage civic and civil-society activism.
• They train activists so that they can successfully self-organise and participate in political processes.