Transformative education for a sustainable world

Today's societies face diverse and utterly complex challenges. Social, economic and ecological crises are among them, as are crises of democracy. Against this background, the Cusanus Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung (CHG) establishes a type of science that enables people to cope responsibly with these challenges and to live well in an often complex and contradictory world. The knodel foundation supports this educational institution because it offers exactly the kind of transformative teaching in economics that is needed for systemic transformation.

Cusanus Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung

The Cusanus Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung is a state-recognized university in Koblenz in Southwestern Germany. Founded in 2014, it represents a new type of university in which teaching and research combine knowledge, action, and the power of imagination to create responsible and effective engagement. To this end, it develops didactic and scientific methods for design-oriented sciences. The active (co-)design of teaching, research, institution and society is an integral part of all four study programs.

The impact of CHG’s research and educational innovations is designed to radiate far beyond the university. Together with its now more than 130 students, 60 alumni (as of January 2021), as well as practice, research and funding partners, the CHG is becoming the center of a far-reaching network of change. In this way, it succeeds in pushing its established best practices into other universities and other educational institutions. To this end, the university works with transformers such as the “Fridays for Future” movement and innovative companies and foundations. This network gives rise to new possibilities to engage such as summer schools, digital lecture series and practical camps. With teaching materials and training courses, the university supports reform-minded teachers at other universities and convinces influential publishers. Finally, it increases the pressure on those who do not want to change of their own accord with education policy campaigns.

All of this is only possible because donors recognize ist impact and potential and support the university in its endeavors. Supported by a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH), the university does not receive any basic state funding, but lives from donations and tuition fees.

Other projects

Free and self-determined learning in Bangladesh

Learning centers are suitable alternatives to conventional Indian school education. The so-called “Nooks” are open to people of all ages. Here, the learners themselves decide on the learning content and pace.

Supporting young people holistically in South Africa

With its safe hubs, the social enterprise AMANDLA creates safe places where young people, regardless of origin and gender, are given the opportunity to freely develop their full potential.

Empowering disadvantaged women in Ghana

The Do Wo Yonko Foundation seeks to help children and young women in Ghana achieve better professional opportunities and income opportunities in the long term through educational programs.

Enabling school education in Tanzania

Mbozi Secondary School in the Songwe region of Tanzania has a financial problem: despite very good quality teaching and teaching staff, many families cannot afford the school fees and need support.

Education and perspectives for children in Bengaluru, India

The project Shishu Mandir means “Temple of Children” and gives children from poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Bengaluru in the Indian state of Karnataka access to education and basic medical care.