The Foundation Commemorates its Founder Pauline Schwarzkopf on her 117th Birthday
On 22 April 2025, members of the Foundation's circle of friends and staff gathered to pay tribute to its founder, Pauline Schwarzkopf, on the occasion of her 117th birthday. In a festive atmosphere, the members remembered the extraordinary personality and impressive commitment of the founder, who created the Foundation in 1971 with the aim of giving a voice to young people and promoting European exchanges.
Pauline Schwarzkopf was not only a committed founder, but also a convinced European and humanist. Her tireless commitment to tolerance, understanding and the participation of young people in social processes continues to shape the work of the Foundation today. Members of the Circle of Friends and the Foundation’s staff used the occasion of her 117th birthday to pay tribute to the enduring relevance of her ideas and to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the European project in today’s context.
In conversations, reminiscences and short speeches, it became clear how much Pauline Schwarzkopf’s convictions continue to shape the Foundation’s mission statement. Although the Foundation’s activities now have a much broader thematic and programmatic focus, her signature can be seen not only in the Foundation’s projects, but also in the commitment of all those who work for an open, united and young Europe.