The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution operational worldwide.

The Goethe-Institut promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. It also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.

With the network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe-Centres, cultural societies, reading rooms and exam and language centres the Goethe-Institut have played a central role in the cultural and educational policies of Germany for over 50 years.

The Goethe-Institut draw its information from the many sections of our cosmopolitan society and culture, combining the experience and ideas of our partners with our cross-cultural expertise. The Goethe-Institut work on the principle of dialogue and partnership, offering its support to all those actively involved with Germany and its language and culture. The Goethe-Institut are an autonomous body and politically independent.

The Goethe-Institut embrace the politicocultural challenges of globalisation. It achieve this through communication, developing innovative concepts for a more humane world where cultural diversity is welcomed as an enrichment of our society. The partners are public and private cultural institutions, the federal states, local authorities and the world of commerce.

Much of the Goethe-Institut's overall budget consists of yearly grants from the German Foreign Office and the German Press Office. The relationship with the Foreign Office is governed by general agreement.

Self generated income and contributions from sponsors and patrons, partners and friends broaden the scope of its work.

The Goethe-Institut carefully coordinates its activities with other mediators of cultural and educational foreign policy.

For further information, see www.goethe.de