Introduction to the Foundation and its Work
The Heinz Kühn Foundation was established in 1982 on the occasion of Heinz Kühn's 70th birthday, on the initiative of the then Minister-President Johannes Rau. With it, the North Rhine-Westphalian state government sent a strong signal in support of promoting young journalistic talent.
The foundation's goal is to support young journalists in their education and professional development through targeted scholarships. The scholarships enable media professionals from North Rhine-Westphalia to undertake research trips to Africa, Asia or Latin America. At the same time, up-and-coming journalists from the Global South are given the opportunity to gain valuable professional and intercultural experience during a stay in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Heinz Kühn Foundation not only fosters journalistic talent, but also strengthens international exchange and mutual understanding between cultures. In doing so, it makes an important contribution to a diverse, democratic media landscape in which different perspectives are heard and made visible.
Heinz Kühn
The namesake of our foundation, a dedicated journalist and visionary politician. As the former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, he had a decisive influence on the political landscape through his social reforms and his commitment to justice. As the first Federal Commissioner for Matters Related to Foreigners, he provided important impetus for a modern and forward-looking integration policy.
Our history
Since 1982, the Heinz Kühn Foundation has been promoting international exchange among young journalists. It facilitates research trips for journalists from North Rhine-Westphalia and provides fellowship stays in North Rhine-Westphalia for journalists from countries of the Global South. The goal is to foster greater understanding, exchange, and cooperation in a shared world.
Foundation Bodies
In accordance with its statutes, the Heinz Kühn Foundation consists of two bodies:
The Board of Executives manages the business affairs of the foundation.
The Board of Trustees advises and oversees the Board of Executives and, as an independent body, monitors compliance with the foundation's stated purpose.
