Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung

To support the process of economic transition

Established in 1925, this foundation was named after Germany’s first democratically elected president, Friederich Ebert. It is affiliated to Germany’s Social Democrat Party and close to Germany’s trade union movement.

In 1985, the foundation opened an office in Shanghai, and this still works closely with the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. In 1987 it opened an office in Beijing, where it works with the Chinese Association for International Understanding.

The foundation is committed to assisting China in economic reforms that do not take place at the expense of social and ecological sustainability. It promotes the rule of law, China’s integration into the international sociopolitical dialogue, and the protection of labour and trade union rights.

To this end, the foundation arranges seminars, round tables, training and information programmes. It has recently organized a number of exchanges between the All-China TradeUnion Federation and the German Trade Union Federation.

Since 1999, in response to requests of the Chinese partner organisations, the foundation has organised dialogues on human rights, bringing together scholars, political leaders and representatives from the NGO community.

In common with other foundations affiliated to political parties in Germany, FES receives an annual appropriation from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.