Dialogue and hospitality
Who we are. What we do.
We understand ourselves as a forum for dialog on the issues of our time. It brings people together for discussion - across professional, national, ethnic, ideological, cultural, denominational and religious boundaries, from academia and society, politics and practice, within the horizon of Christian orientations.
It promotes an intellectual, open and inspiring dialog. It does so in a committed, yet trend- and ideology-critical contemporaneity and in a hospitality that is actively and invitingly turned towards people.
Since its foundation in 1951, the Academy has been an independent form of action and representation of church activity. Active and value-oriented, it participates in the social discourse on the conditions of successful human existence, on central problems and tasks of the present. The focus is on intellectual clarifications based on scientific findings.
Our mission
Creative openness instead of intellectual narrowness
In its work, the Academy also addresses topics with lasting relevance, including those that go against the mainstream. It also aims to create space for the dimension of transcendence - especially for human dignity, justice, non-violence, sustainability and the integrity of creation.
Although the Academy cannot be free of positions, its character as a forum means that it discusses a wide variety of positions, develops them further with other participants in the discourse. In its own characteristic freedom, the Academy is open to thinking in completely new and different ways in order to be able to break new ground.
The principle of "creative restlessness", as the Academy's founding director, Professor Alfons Auer, called it, requires a constant review of the Academy's topics in terms of their content and topicality, their respective methods and ways of presentation.
Changing perspectives for new insights
We bring people and viewpoints together
Our aim: to promote understanding, resilience and tolerance in the face of tensions in religion(s), society, culture and politics. We think creatively about the future. We do this in Christian freedom.
The conference work is carried out in nine departments and one project area; the subject areas range from theology - church - religion, cultural studies and humanities, interreligious dialogue and human rights to sustainable society and politics. The Academy finances its work mainly from funds provided by the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart.
As part of the Catholic Church, it is a non-profit organization. The Academy, whose offices and departments are located in Stuttgart (address: Im Schellenkönig 61), runs two conference centres in Stuttgart-Hohenheim and Weingarten. These are visited by around 20,000 guests at our own events every year. External institutions can also book our facilities.
© Karin Volz
© Karin Volz
© Karin Volz
© Karin Volz
Seminar, congress, event
Our conference centre invite you
You too can benefit from the special flair of our conference centre Stuttgart-Hohenheim for your own event. Congress, training or festive occasion - whatever your requirements are, we will be happy to fulfil them. Our flexible and friendly service guarantees a warm atmosphere for all guests.
Tagungszentrum Hohenheim
On the Stuttgart "Filder" Plain,
close to the airport and Messe Stuttgart
1951
Foundation of the Academy
1
Conference center: Stuttgart-Hohenheim
14,700
Participants in 2023
523
Events in 2023
List of Upcoming Events
© Akademie / Czerny
Promoting Democracy – Kunstwettbewerb
09. März bis 31. Mai 2026
Stuttgart-Hohenheim
© IMAGO/epd
© brett-jordan-on-unsplash
Professionalität in der GVP – gemeinsam schaffen, leben und stärken
6. Plattformtreffen für Berater:innen in der Gesundheitlichen Versorgungsplanung in der Pflege und Eingliederungshilfe
05. Mai 2026
Hospitalhof