The Rosa Luxemburg foundation (RosaLux) is a political education institution centred in Germany and affiliated to the democratic socialist Left Party. The foundation, which was established in Berlin in 1990 (originally as the Social Analysis and Political Organization Center), acts as a think tank for political alternatives, organizes dialogues and supports progressive social movements through its offices worldwide.
RosaLux’s mission is to engage productively with what it sees as a diverse, pluralistic and transnational ‘mosaic left’, and to help develop its transformative capacities. To this end, its contribution to alternative knowledge is diverse and consists of two main tracks: general political education and academic/scientific work. In regards to the latter and through the Institute [1], it delivers critical research on neoliberal capitalism, produces analytic work on left strategy, policy and alternatives, as well as work addressing injustices that intersect with capitalism, such as those pertaining to gender, sexuality, race and nation. In relation to the former, the Academy [2] offers extensive programs of political education through public conferences, seminars and workshops, as well providing courses for youth and adult learners on topics including economic literacy, gender inequalities, sustainable development and political communication. It engages movement directly and through media such as its website, public events and through the production of informational materials such as pamphlets. Further, through the Centre [3], RosaLux engages and supports left movements and organizations in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America in the form of funding, as well as through seminars and conferences that are organized with local partners.
In its efforts to build a convergence of movements against current capitalism, RosaLux speaks to a broad constituency of the left. This includes academics, social movement groups and broader publics, both within Germany and throughout the Global South and North. As a multidivisional international organization, its knowledge-producing practices are invariably tailored to the various publics and movements with which it is in dialogue.
While the foundation is centered in Germany, its transnational presence and reach is extensive, with 16 foreign offices supporting activities in more than 25 countries. Its funding from the German state provides RosaLux with a material base that far exceeds those of other TAPGs, contributing to its strong capacity and potential to contribute to the formation of a counter-hegemonic left.
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Endnotes
[1] See http://rosalux.de/english/foundation/research-projects.html, accessed 2 February 2015
[2] See http://www.rosalux.de/english/foundation/political-education.html, accessed 2 February 2015
[3] See http://www.rosalux.de/english/worldwide.html, accessed 8 February 2015