The Protestant Academies in Germany – Protestant, Cosmopolitan, Controversial

The Prostestant Academies in Germany invite you to conferences, focusing on a wide range of social-political topics; environmental issues, Science, Medicine, Art, Media, Psychology, Philosophy and of course, Theology. The Academies are located in splendidly attractive buildings, surrounded by beautiful scenery. They provide a forum for well balanced debates on important and current issues faced by society. The Academies are also known for their student-trips, organised debates and research.

The cost to participate and receive accommodation is affordable; discounts are also possible. All events are organised by the inter-disciplinary trained tutors. The involvement from such high-calibre experts and decision-makers ensures the highest quality events. Covering a diverse range of topics, about 1.700 events designed for over 50,000 participants are annually organised by the Academies. This places the institution of Academies amongst the key players in society. Over the course of its 60 year history, they have earned the trust of a large number of decision-makers involved in Politics, Economics, Science and NGO’S.

Under the Berlin-based umbrella organization «Evangelische Akademien in Deutschland (EAD) e. V.» the 16 Protestant Academies are united. They strive to reach the public at both a national and international level, take the lead in interdisciplinary projects and network between the various academies. The umbrella organization performs these tasks in close co-operation with its members.

The exceptional members represented in the network are as following: Evangelische Akademie der Nordelbischen Kirche, Evangelische Medienakademie, Sozialakademie Friedewald, Evangelische Landjugendakademie Altenkirchen, Forschungsstätte Evangelische Studiengemeinschaft, Evangelischer Kirchentag.

Critical – Constructive – Competent

The Protestant Academies function as a forum for open debates on controversial topics.

Meetings, conferences, consultations, workshops, projects, lectures, evening classes, meditation courses and student-trips are all activities run by the Academies. The beauty of the venues is one of the Academies‘ trademarks.

This wide range of activities is supervised by inter-disciplinary, qualified directors of studies through a wide network of contacts to target-groups, initiatives, industrial unions. The Academies also offer a religious and spiritual access to particular topics and questions.

The Academies work is supported by a large group number of professional and qualified members from trusts, conventions and work-circles. They act as a counsel and facilitate communication between the Church and Society.

The Protestant Academies were founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, part of the Church’s solution to repair the damage left by the Nazis, to heal a nation broken in the wake of the Holocaust and as a result of the mishandlings of a dishonest government. Many people started to look for a new moral direction and the Protestant Academies became a symbol of hope and accountability, both essential tools to building a democratic society.

In Western Germany, the Protestant Academies soon became an essential part of the democratic-political culture. In the former DDR the Academies were operating under difficult circumstances, however they eventually became one of the few platforms for free critical discussion and open thought.

The Protestant Academies throughout the whole of Germany pursued the idea of «Laity» a concept in which the church and society, religion and work, politics and culture are all united in a pluralistic framework of popular churches.

The Protestant Academies serve as unique places of worship with one common goal and ambition: the avocation for the common good for civilization. They organise projects and models on both an international and national level ranging from mediation to political counseling.