The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is Germany’sliberal foundation. At home and in 60 countries around the globe, FNFand its partners promote freedom, liberalism, democracy, human rights,pluralism, tolerance, market-based economies and the rule of law.FNF has close ties to Germany’s liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).We were founded in 1958 by Germany’s first President Theodor Heussand have been working in Asia since 1979. FNF is publicly funded. Ourhead office is in Potsdam, Germany.FNF briefs decision makers in Berlin and publishes reports. Wefacilitate dialogue, organize conferences and invite young people fromAsia and other regions to attend seminars in Germany.
Liberalism emphasizes the freedom of theindividual. Individual freedom, responsibilities,rights and duties are the prerequisites for afree and open society. Some governments saya collective approach is needed to maintainsocial coherence. In fact, this is an excuse tocurb freedom and to maintain power. Liberalsbelieve that individual freedom benefitssociety. We see four pillars of society: politicalfreedom, human rights, economic freedomand the rule of law.Democracy is the rule of the people, ourrule. Free and fair elections, freedom of expression and the protection of human rightsare essential. Respected, democratic partiesare pillars of liberal democracy. In Southeastand East Asia, FNF works with more than adozen liberal parties, many NGOs and somemedia organisations. We support networking.