History of the bpb | Federal Agency for Civic Education | bpb.de

Foundation and development 1952-1961

In 1952 the Federal Agency for Homeland Services was established in order to educate the German people about democratic principles and prevent any moves to re-establish a totalitarian regime.

Growth and progress 1961-1969

In the 1960s, public debate began to focus on ways to deal intellectually with the legacy of the National Socialist regime. In 1963 the recently renamed Federal Agency for Civic Education organised…

Transformation and reorganisation 1969-1981

In the 1970s the bpb underwent a series of structural and conceptual reforms. The Beutelsbach Consensus of 1976 defined three objectives for civic education that remain valid to this day.

Consolidation and technical progress 1981-1989

In response to the emergence of the information society, in 1984 the bpb founded its New Media department and began to use more films in its civic education curricula.

Civic education in reunified Germany 1989-1998

Following the peaceful revolution in the autumn of 1989, the bpb began to operate in the GDR and later in the new federal Länder. It aimed to educate both parts of the population about each other's…

New agendas, new approaches 1999–2011

In 2001 the bpb underwent a comprehensive conceptual and organisational reform. New activities and services were developed that were targeted at new audiences.

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