About us

InVerbindung is a registered association (eingetragener Verein) based in Cologne and active in Germany and beyond. Our name describes what we stand for: dialogue and cohesion. We promote tolerance, mutual understanding and civic engagement.

The association is led by its Board. Board positions are held on an honorary basis.

The purposes of the association are set out in § 2 of the Articles of Association (Satzung). We promote:

• science and research

• education, adult education and vocational training, including support for students

• international understanding, tolerance in all areas of culture and the idea of understanding between peoples

• civic engagement

• support for people persecuted on political, racial or religious grounds, for refugees and displaced persons, and for other groups named in the Articles of Association

• selfless support for people in need

We pursue these purposes with a focus on human rights and the protection of rights. We contribute to the protection of human rights and freedoms, to the development of a legal culture and to wider access to socially relevant information.

Party-political neutrality. We work in a party-politically neutral way and do not support any political party. Our educational, information and media work serves the purposes of the Articles of Association and stays within the bounds of party-political neutrality (§ 3 No. 12 of the Articles of Association).

Independence. Decisions on our content and projects are taken by the bodies of the association in accordance with the Articles of Association. When we speak publicly, we do so factually and with reference to the purposes of the Articles of Association.

Volunteering. We promote civic engagement and train volunteers who work for the purposes of the association.

The Board manages the affairs of the association in accordance with the Articles of Association. Members of the Board and all other persons involved in decisions disclose personal conflicts of interest; anyone affected does not take part in the discussion of or the vote on the matter concerned (§ 14 of the Articles of Association). An activity report (Tätigkeitsbericht) and a financial report (Finanzbericht) are prepared every year (§ 18(2) of the Articles of Association).

Our support takes place within the limits permitted by law: we provide general legal information, orientation and referral to suitable advice services (Verweisberatung). We do not assess individual cases and do not act as representatives. We work together with organisations, initiatives and educational and research institutions in Germany and beyond. The page What we do describes our work in detail.

You can download the Articles of Association of the association as a PDF.

The page The Board shows who serves on the Board.