Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

History
	Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung ("Stiftung" is the German word for "Foundation") is a non-governmental, non-profit organization committed to the principles and basic values of social democracy and the labour movement. The foundation was founded in 1925 as a political legacy of Germany's first democratically elected president, Friedrich Ebert, who died that year. Friedrich Ebert, a Social Democrat of humble origins, had risen to hold the highest office in his country despite considerable opposition from his political adversaries.
He assumed the burden of the presidency in a country which was crisis ridden following its defeat in World War I. His own personal experience led him to propose the establishment of a Foundation with a threefold aim: Furthering a democratic, pluralistic political culture by means of political education for all classes of society Facilitating access to higher education for gifted young people by providing scholarships Contributing to international understanding and co-operation wherever possible to avert a fresh outbreak of war and conflict. Banned by the Nazis in 1933 and re-established after World War II, the foundation continues to pursue those aims with a multitude of activities in Germany and throughout the world.

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