Organisation

ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes a peaceful and enriching coexistence between people and cultures worldwide. ifa supports artistic and cultural exchange in exhibition, dialogue and conference programmes, and it acts as a centre of excellence for international cultural relations. It is part of a global network and relies on sustainable, long-term partnerships. ifa is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart.

Mission Statement

Our Mission

ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes cultural exchange to assist peoples, nations and religions in learning from one another and living together peacefully. Cultures are changeable, movable and permeable, yet they are also conservative and restrictive. They can cause conflicts, but they can also transform and resolve conflicts.

Cultural exchange means commitment to peace. We are committed to achieving peace and justice, protecting human livelihoods and cultures and attaining a united Europe. Human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of information are objectives and cornerstones of our work.

Dialogue reveals cultural diversity as a valuable asset. Dialogue involves all people equally in shaping our future – in a process that is both open and meaningful. That is why we strive to bring people closer together.

Our Work

ifa initiates intercultural dialogue. A broad array of exhibitions, meetings, dialogues and conferences promotes exchange in arts and culture. Our conflict resolution programme helps build and maintain peaceful societies. Support projects for cultural minorities foster cultural diversity.

ifa is Germany's international cultural and educational relations body, providing a link between practical issues arising in the field and the world of scholarship as well as the media. We initiate, analyse, moderate and document debates on international cultural relations.

ifa gives people worldwide the opportunity to find out more about Germany. Exchange programmes, exhibitions, books and magazines, lectures and visitors' programmes offer innovative perspectives from contemporary Germany.

Our Approach

ifa operates worldwide from a firm European base. We are active in cultural, educational, civil society, political and media networks, because we believe that cooperation is the only way to a better future.

ifa projects integrate the needs of target groups. These include young people and young professionals, media and cultural professionals as well as scholars and academics. We cooperate with political and cultural institutions, non-governmental organisations and policy makers.

ifa is a reliable partner. Our highly committed team is well-versed in all aspects of intercultural communication.

Image Film of the ifa

Image film of the ifa

We are ifa.

ifa as EUNIC Member

Logo of EUNIC
ifa is an active member EUNIC, the global network of European Union National Institutes for Culture, and its local clusters in Stuttgart and Berlin.

Contact

General secretary's office

Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart

Telephone: +49.711.22.25.116