The History of the Carl Duisberg Society e. V.

From the Idea of International Work-Study Programs to a Bridge between Business, Education, and Development

The roots of the Carl Duisberg Society (CDG) go back to the 1920s. Even then, Carl Duisberg, a leading German industrialist, advocated for international exchange programs. As a board member of the German Student Union, he supported study abroad for work-study students – particularly in the USA. There, young German engineers were not only to gain professional experience but also learn to navigate foreign social and cultural environments.

From the Idea to the Association

In 1925, Reinhold Schairer, who had co-founded the German Student Union (DSW) in 1921, traveled to the United States to thank American supporters. On this trip, he met German work-study students – including Johannes W. Funke, the future managing director of the CDG.

Together they founded the America Work-Study Service. As early as 1926, the first group of German work-study students traveled to the USA. However, the program came to a halt with the Great Depression.

After World War II, former participants – now in leading business positions – revived the idea. On April 22, 1949, they founded the association International Work-Study Exchange, which was later renamed Carl Duisberg Society. The goal was to provide young people with international professional experience – initially for Germans, later also for foreign young professionals.

Expansion to a Recognized Partner of the Federal Government

In the 1950s, the CDG became a strategic partner of the federal government: In 1955, it was commissioned for the first time to conduct programs for foreign students. In 1970, a cooperation agreement with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) followed, to offer training for specialists and executives from developing countries in over 50 fields. In 1978, collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) also began.

Internationalization and Institutional Expansion

In the course of its growing activities, the CDG founded numerous subsidiaries and structures:

• 1962: Carl Duisberg Residence GmbH (later Carl Duisberg Centers GmbH), focusing on German courses and guest accommodation
• 1968: Carl Duisberg Society New York, to support transatlantic programs
• 1987: Nippon Carl Duisberg Society e.  in Tokyo
• 1999: Carl Duisberg Brasil Ltda. in São Paulo
• 1998: EU Office in Brussels to maintain European networks

In addition, so-called Foreign Circles emerged in many cities, serving as informal meeting points for international training guests. These later developed into regional offices.

Change and Continuity

In 2002, the CDG, by decision of the federal government, transferred its operational programs to the newly founded InWEnt gGmbH – now part of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). However, as a non-profit association, the Carl Duisberg Society still exists today and remains active – especially in the field of development policy economic promotion and vocational and entrepreneurial education in developing and emerging countries.

Current Tasks and Activities

Today, the CDG focuses on the following priorities:

• Strengthening economic competence and entrepreneurship in developing and emerging countries
• Awarding the German Entrepreneur Award for Development (every two years, sponsored by the BMZ)
• Appointing business representatives to GIZ committees
• Promoting vocational stays abroad for young people

Around 140 members – predominantly from the German economy engaged in foreign trade – support the work of the CDG ideologically and financially.