Leading. Innovative. Thinking.
At American Friends of Bucerius, we believe that finding solutions to major global challenges requires the open exchange of ideas among stakeholders who can build networks and cooperate on innovative projects. As part of this approach, we support the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius and Bucerius Law School by creating networks, finding support, and reaching out to their alumni. Our activities focus on issues surrounding law and the legal profession, as well as global governance and philanthropy. We educate and bring together current and future leaders to tackle some of the biggest global issues of our time.
Founded in 2009, American Friends of Bucerius is an independent, charitable 501(c)3 organization based in New York City, with a history rich in leadership and innovative thinking. The founding institution, the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius, was established in 1971 by Gerd Bucerius (1906-1995), a German journalist, politician, lawyer, and philanthropist. He was known for defending victims of national-socialist persecution and for promoting scholarship and the free exchange of ideas, notably through journalism, first funding the weekly DIE ZEIT, and later publishing the magazine ‘Stern’. The ZEIT-Stiftung later founded Bucerius Law School (2000) and Bucerius Kunst Forum (2002), both of which have become leading institutions in their respective fields. American Friends of Bucerius develops and supports programs of the ZEIT-Stiftung and Bucerius Law School, in addition to addressing cutting-edge topics in the US.
We strive to provide an international knowledge-sharing platform for leading practitioners, and we maintain a close network for alumni after they participate in our programs. Programs offered by American Friends of Bucerius include lectures, roundtables, discussion groups, and continuing education courses on the topics of global governance, international law, energy, and philanthropy. We also founded the Bucerius Global Legacy Fund in 2013, which allows us to secure funds for the critical work of the ZEIT-Stiftung, Bucerius Law School, and other initiatives of the Bucerius family of institutions.
American Friends of Bucerius’ mission is to foster the innovative thinking promoted by our founder, Gerd Bucerius, and to connect and educate the leaders who will tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.