Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung
| Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung | |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 25 November 1952 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Germany |
| Headquarters | Bonn, Germany |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | http://www.bpb.de |
The Federal Agency for Civic Education, FACE (German: Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, bpb) is a German federal government agency responsible for promoting civic education. It is subordinated to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Thomas Krüger has served as President of the agency since 2000.
In 1997 the objectives for bpb were specified and officially defined in 2001. Its task is now to promote understanding of political issues, strengthen awareness for democracy and willingness to participate in political processes amongst the citizen.
Furthermore, a committee of 22 members of the Bundestag is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness and political neutrality of the bpb.
Bpb publishes "Informationen zur politischen Bildung" (a magazine published quarterly) and "Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte" (APuZ), a weekly topical journal of essays and academic articles. Issues of Grundgesetz can be ordered for free by German citizens (currently only in German). Furthermore, it offers extensive material, e.g. books, journals and information material for schools on contemporary topics in politics, history, sociology and economy.
A number of congresses, symposia and excursions are organised by bpb either directly for citizens or for experts on selected topics. Furthermore, bpb co-operates with a number of political foundations, associations and organisations committed to civic education.
The Agency has its background in the propaganda war of World War I. In October 1914 the Zentrale für Auslandsdienst (Agency for Foreign-service) was established for the purpose of propaganda conducted outside Germany. In 1918 it was complemented by the Zentralstelle für Heimatdienst (Agency for Homeland-service) which was formed for the purpose of domestic propaganda; in order to strengthen the public resilience during the war. In the Weimar Republic it was renamed as the Reichszentrale für Heimatdienst (Reich-Agency for Homeland-service).
Reichszentrale für Heimatdienst has two equivalent semantic translations, "Reich Agency for domestic propaganda", or "Reich Agency for political explanation/education in the homeland".
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