75 years of Internationaler Bund: diversity, democracy and education at the heart of the anniversary celebration

On 11 January 2024 a significant anniversary was celebrated in Berlin at the European House at Brandenburg Gate – the 75th anniversary of the founding of Internationaler Bund. Under the motto "European by tradition – democratic by principle", representatives from politics, education and IB staff gathered to look back on an eventful history of commitment to peace and democracy.

After the opening address by Petra Merkel, President of Internationaler Bund, former Federal President Christian Wulff took the floor and gave the keynote speech. In his address he honoured Europe's founding fathers and their shared ideals with the co-founders of Internationaler Bund: peace, dignity and prosperity in a united Europe. Their call – "never again war, never again discrimination of minorities, never again nationalism and never again totalitarianism" – underlined the fundamental principles that have guided Internationaler Bund for 75 years.

In his speech he honoured Carlo Schmid, one of the co-founders of Internationaler Bund, who contributed significantly to democracy in Germany. For Schmid, Franco-German reconciliation was a lifelong mission, and Internationaler Bund played an important role in building a new democratic Germany when it was founded on 11 January 1949 – exactly 75 years ago.

Christian Wulff closed his speech with an urgent appeal: "Living diversity may sometimes be exhausting, but the opposite of diversity is simplicity. We will only behold a rainbow if it sometimes rains, and we will have to realise that life is only beautiful if we don't close ourselves off to everything that seems strange to us. In the end, only diversity is successful."

Pupils of the Carlo Schmid School in Karlsruhe then presented an entertaining survey on democracy and politics. They reported from their perspective on young people's current interest in political affairs in Germany, which was then discussed with Christian Wulff. After a moderated conversation about Europe led by Sterenn Coudray with guests Christiane Lensch (IB Südwest), Annett Wiedermann (European network Yesforum) and Stephan Erb (CEO of the German-Polish Youth Office), Thiemo Fojkar gave a lively closing speech. Video greetings were sent both by Federal Minister Lisa Paus and by Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Over 75 years, Internationaler Bund has built bridges between nations and generations, and its commitment to peace, dignity and prosperity in a united Europe remains relevant and significant.

"Congratulations to Internationaler Bund on 75 years of tireless work for a democratic future in which diversity is regarded as strength. For us at IB Hochschule, this forms an important basis of our educational offerings under the motto 'Education for all.'"

"At IB Hochschule no one is too old to study; anyone who wants to study gets this chance. The educational biographies of our students alone – between Abitur and many years of professional experience, also without Abitur – are very diverse."

"IB Hochschule lives diversity and democracy in the spirit of Internationaler Bund. This diversity is reflected in our academic structures, which are shaped by self-governance and student co-determination," says Prof. Hartinger, President of IB Hochschule.