Topics and key areas

How can responsible behaviour be promoted in an economic context? What knowledge, attitudes and skills do the relevant stakeholders need to achieve this? How should the regulatory framework ideally be structured?

In a pluralistic society, where there are many different ways of life and value systems, the answers to these questions can only be negotiated through value-based discourse involving broad participation.

The Foundation’s aim is therefore to initiate this discourse and to involve citizens in the negotiation of moral issues in the economy.

In order to engage with young people and aspiring leaders, as well as decision-makers in politics and business, the Foundation focuses on two key thematic areas.

Through our ‘Education & Research’ focus, we contribute to the development and strengthening of critical thinking and judgement, particularly amongst young people.

In our ‘Business & Responsibility’ focus area, we take a practical approach to the question of responsibility and due diligence in business, using Ethical Risk Assessments of value chains. In doing so, we recognise that business activity cannot be viewed in isolation from the context of global economic interdependencies, complex regulatory systems and the resulting paradoxical demands. Since autumn 2021, we have also been addressing these issues in our new thematic focus on the implementation of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.

Insight Economy needs Civilisation.
Einsicht Ökonomie braucht politisch-moralische Einbettung.
Risk Analysis We identify the opportunities and limits of corporate responsibility in global supply chains.
Risikoanalyse Wir zeigen die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen unternehmerischer Verantwortung in globalen Lieferketten auf.
Best Practice Fewer normative appeals. More work on standards.
Best Practice Weniger normative Appelle. Mehr Arbeit an Standards.
Dialogue We identify the possibilities and limits of corporate responsibility in the area of conflict between business and ethics.
Dialog Wir identifizieren die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen unternehmerischer Verantwortung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Wirtschaft und Ethik.
Responsibility Creating values. Protecting human rights.
Verantwortung Werte schaffen. Menschenrechte schützen.
Economy The aim of our work is to minimise human rights violations in global supply chains.
Wirtschaft Ziel unserer Arbeit ist es, Menschenrechtsverletzungen in globalen Lieferketten zu minimieren.
Education No economic education without moral judgement, no ethical education without economic understanding.
Bildung Keine ökonomische Bildung ohne moralisches Urteilsvermögen.
Advocacy We act as advocates for business ethics issues with the aim of making ethical risks economically relevant for companies. 

Themenanwaltschaft Wir setzen uns für Fragen der Unternehmensethik ein, mit dem Ziel, ethische Risiken für Unternehmen wirtschaftlich relevant zu machen.
Research We promote the ability to discuss economic issues, make moral judgements and act responsibly.
Forschung Wir fördern die Fähigkeit, wirtschaftliche Themen zu diskutieren, moralische Urteile zu fällen und verantwortungsvoll zu handeln.
Mission Solutions for responsible business. Guidance for companies, politics and civil society.
Mission Lösungen für verantwortungsbewusstes Wirtschaften. Orientierung für Unternehmen, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft.
Education We are committed to firmly embedding business ethics competencies in education in the fields of economics and the social sciences.
Bildung Wir setzen uns dafür ein, wirtschaftsethische Kompetenzen fest in der wirtschafts- und sozialwissenschaftlichen Ausbildung zu verankern.