Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Johann Wadephul on the handover of office: "Relations between Germany and its partners are not only built at political level – first and foremost, they are supported by a committed civil society. ifa fosters free exchange in the arts and sciences and advocates an open society. With this work, it makes a very considerable contribution to a successful German foreign policy. I would like to thank Ulrich Raulff, who has supported ifa through his utmost commitment over the last few years. In taking on Daniela Schwarzer, ifa is gaining a truly experienced foreign and European policy expert who, as President, will provide new impetus in times of global challenges. I wish Daniela Schwarzer every success for this important task."
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ulrich Raulff: "Over the past seven years, we have been able to further develop ifa both thematically and structurally – from strengthening the protection programmes for cultural actors at risk and human rights defenders to providing more intensive academic support for foreign cultural policy issues. It was particularly important to me to further strengthen ifa's self-confidence in turbulent times. Daniela Schwarzer, an experienced expert on foreign policy issues, will now take over and provide new impetus. I would like to thank ifa's dedicated staff and our numerous partner institutions around the world for their consistently trusting cooperation."
Professor Daniela Schwarzer: "The geopolitical tensions that are currently challenging Germany and Europe also have a profound impact on foreign cultural and social policy. In this increasingly complex foreign policy environment, ifa is making an important contribution through its international networks and practical research work. It also strengthens civil society actors and is committed to human rights and democracy worldwide. I am looking forward to further developing this successful work in the future in my honorary position as ifa President together with the Executive Committee and the Members' General Meeting."
Gitte Zschoch, Secretary General of ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen: "ifa has demonstrated through its work over more than 100 years that cultural dialogue and strengthening civil society are central elements of responsible foreign policy, particularly in times of global upheaval. Ulrich Raulff has accompanied ifa with great cultural expertise. I thank him for that. He is followed by Daniela Schwarzer, an expert in international politics, who will enrich ifa with a new perspective. I would like to thank the Executive Board for this excellent choice. I look forward to working together to further strengthen ifa's role as a global player for exchange and its expertise in international cultural relations and the protection of cultural and human rights."
Daniela Schwarzer is currently full-time director of the Bertelsmann Foundation. Previously, she was Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Executive Director of the Open Society Foundations in Europe and Central Asia. Since 2021, she has been an honorary professor of political science at Freie Universität Berlin and she was visiting professor at Harvard University. Daniela Schwarzer is regularly consulted as a political advisor; from 2020 to 2022, she was special advisor to the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission.
More information on Daniela Schwarzer can be found on this website.
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen works with partners worldwide to promote freedom in the arts, research and civil society by bringing people together who are committed to an open society. We give a voice to activists, artists and scientists, promote their collaboration and work closely with European partners to pursue our goals. Based on our core competencies in art, research and civil society, we build and foster networks to achieve a lasting impact.
ifa is a registered association. The President chairs ifa’s Executive Committee and Members’ General Meeting. The Executive Committee sets out guidelines and focal areas for ifa and decides on plans and projects of special significance. The office of President is an honorary post with a term of four years. The Secretary General conducts the association’s business as her main profession as sole director.
ifa is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart.
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen
presse(at)ifa.de
Theresa Brüheim: +49 162 1001121
Miriam Kahrmann: +49 151 2645 5509
