Auslandsgesellschaft.de
The Auslandsgesellschaft.de eV (Agde), headquartered in Harald Koch Haus in Dortmund is one of several companies of its kind in the Federal Republic of Germany , working for international understanding begins and international dialogue. It has an office in the capital in Berlin. Other foreign companies are the Auslandsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt eV (AGSA) and the Berlin-Brandenburgische Auslandsgesellschaft (BBAG) eV in Potsdam
history
After the Second World War, a citizens' initiative for international understanding was founded in Dortmund , which later became the Foreign Society of North Rhine-Westphalia eV. The initiators were the French teacher Stefan Albring and Wilhelm Hansmann , who, being persecuted by the National Socialists, managed to escape to France and in 1946 became mayor of Dortmund.
Initially, the aim of the initiative was to improve Franco-German understanding. The Franco-German Institute was set up in December 1948 with the help of the French government. With the consent of the British occupying power, the institute was established through book donations, encounters and the provision of rooms. The activities were expanded when, with the help of the British "Brücke" as well as Dutch and Swedish contacts, the German-French Institute developed into the International Institute in March 1949 .
After the activities of the institute had expanded more and more to the entire federal state, the name was changed to Rheinisch-Westfälische Auslandsgesellschaft (RWAG) in 1957 . In addition to working in various country circles, the company offered language courses, organized conferences and organized study trips. In addition, the RWAG - as a non-governmental organization - turned against human rights violations in the world and advocated opening up to the Eastern Bloc countries. In 1993, RWAG was renamed Auslandsgesellschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen eV As part of the merger with Auslandsgesellschaft Deutschland eV, the association was renamed Auslandsgesellschaft.de eV in 2018.
Areas of activity
The international company now has around 900 members, many of whom are volunteers for the goals of the association.
- Foreign institute : Within the foreign institute, 28 bilateral national companies, groups and working groups are united. With their open events, they want to convey international understanding, humanity and intercultural tolerance. They are the core of the voluntary commitment in the foreign company and open to everyone who is committed to the goals of understanding.
- Languages : The foreign company offers language courses at various levels of intensity in its subsidiary "Auslandsgesellschaft.de gGmbH". In addition to courses in German as a Foreign Language (DaF), over 25 foreign languages are taught in group or individual lessons. The foreign company is also an examination center for internationally recognized certificate exams.
- Study trips and international exchange : Politically oriented study and educational trips lead all over the world. The aim is to make contacts on site, to get to know other living conditions and perspectives, and to gain specialist knowledge about the travel regions. In addition to the study trips, the foreign company also runs youth exchange programs.
- Events : Events on cultural or political topics in the form of lectures, readings, seminars, discussions or film screenings take place almost daily on the premises of the foreign company.
