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Maecenata / Dialogue & Networking

Dialogue & Networking

Dialogue & Networking

Giving civil society a voice.

We are committed to fostering a vibrant civil society. We do this through dialogue with our partners from civil society, academia and politics. Always critically, always constructively.

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Experts

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Events

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Talks

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Podcast Episodes

Facilitating exchange, developing ideas, creating spaces.

The Tocqueville Forum – a platform for civil society in Germany and Europe.

Alexis de Tocqueville travelled through America in 1831 and described what he saw: a society that organises itself – through associations, initiatives and networks. His conclusion was that democracy only works where citizens carve out their own space between the individual and the state. This space is called civil society.

The Tocqueville Forum bears this name as a statement of its mission. As the Maecenata Foundation’s platform for dialogue, we translate research into public debate. We bring together academia, professional practice and politics, and give civil society a voice. For we share Tocqueville’s conviction that a vibrant civil society is not an afterthought, but a prerequisite for a functioning democracy.

Formats

An overview of current debates on civil society.

Analyses for the Media

When there is debate about NGOs, civic engagement or democratic participation, an independent analysis is helpful. Experts from the Maecenata Foundation explain the background, analyse developments and highlight why civil society is indispensable to democratic societies.

  • Interviews and articles on current issues in the foundation and NGO sector
  • Background discussions with editorial teams and journalists
  • Radio interviews on philanthropy and corporate foundations
  • Analyses of the political debate on NGOs and their role in democracy

New perspectives on civil society. Well-researched, accessible, practical.

Talks & keynotes

Civil society is more than just civic engagement: it is a central component of modern democracies. In lectures and keynote speeches, experts from the Maecenata Foundation highlight how civil society is changing, coming under pressure or giving rise to new social solutions.

  • Talks on civil society, democracy, the foundation sector and civic engagement
  • Presentations at conferences on foundations and civil society
  • Events and seminars on topics such as philanthropy and civic engagement

Moving debates on civil society forward in a meaningful way.

Panels & public debates

How does civil society contribute to democracy? What are its limitations? In panel discussions, experts from the Maecenata Foundation contribute their research, experience and international perspectives. In doing so, they help to foster debates that go beyond mere buzzwords.

  • Panels on democracy and civic space
  • Discussions on the role and future of civil society organisations
  • Events on topics such as attacks on civil society, shrinking civic space and international engagement

Structure, clarification and a balanced approach to complex debates.

Facilitation & dialogue formats

Discussions about civil society often touch on fundamental questions of democracy, the state, responsibility and civic engagement. The experts at the Maecenata Foundation facilitate dialogues between the worlds of politics, academia and civil society – in an objective and analytical manner, whilst focusing on what we have in common.

  • Facilitation of conferences and dialogue events
  • Discussion formats involving NGOs, politicians and academics
  • Discussion formats on civic engagement, philanthropy and social responsibility

Evidence-based recommendations for organisations.

Policy Dialogue & consultation

How can policymakers, businesses or individuals strengthen civil society? What framework conditions do civil society organisations (CSOs) need? The experts at the Maecenata Foundation contribute academic insights and international experience to political and institutional decision-making processes.

  • Advice on charity law and the foundation sector
  • Contributions to political debates on transparency and the role of civil society organisations
  • Participation in initiatives to strengthen and further develop the framework conditions for civil society

Experts

Ansgar Gessner sw edited

Ansgar Gessner
Executive Director

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Rupert Graf Strachwitz sw edited

Dr phil Rupert
Graf Strachwitz
Board Member & Senior Strategic Advisor

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Siri Hummel sw edited

Dr Siri Hummel
Director of the Maecenata Institute

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Sascha Nicke sw edited 1

Dr Sascha Nicke
Programme Manager, Tocqueville Forum

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Lisa Klisch sw edited

Lisa Klisch
Head of Communications

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Marie Schwager Duhse sw edited

Marie-Christin Schwager-Duhse
Director, Transnational Giving & Foundation Administration

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Eckhard Priller sw edited

Dr sc Eckhard Priller
Programme Coordinator, Maecenata Institute

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John McManus sw edited

Dr John McManus
Visiting Research Fellow

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Victoria Strachwitz sw edited

Victoria Strachwitz
Member of the Board of Trustees

Podcast

Podcast

Die NGO-Debatte
 with Victoria Strachwitz and Michael Seberich

An in-depth overview of civil society – concise, easy to understand and journalistically independent.

Projects

Research and Work Programme

The following list sets out the Maecenata Foundation’s key research areas relating to civil society and philanthropy, as well as the range of current and proposed research and think-tank projects.

MENA Study Centre

The Near and Middle East / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Islamic world

Since its foundation (1997), the Maecenata Institute has focused on topics relating to aspects of the Islamic religion and societies shaped by Islam, such as intercultural and interfaith dialogue, as well as civil society aspects of the activities of Islamic organisations in Germany, for example in the fields of philanthropy and civic engagement.

About the MENA Study Centre