About the Falling Walls Foundation

The Foundation

Falling Walls is the unique global hub connecting science, business and society. We shape the future of humanity by impact-oriented ideas and discoveries, driven by our shared dedication for creating breakthroughs across borders and disciplines. As a vessel for the world-changing spirit of 1989 in and beyond Berlin, we are on a relentless pursuit to find out: Which are the next walls to fall?

The Mission

The crumbling concrete blocks of the Berlin Wall marked the dawn of a new era of freedom by breaking barriers both physical and imaginary on the night of 9 November 1989. The Falling Walls Foundation channels this iconic image as a not-for-profit organization based in Berlin, devoted to bringing together those who aim to tear down the next walls in science and society. Since our first conference on the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009, Falling Walls has become an ever-growing network of the most ambitious and forward-thinking minds from around the globe. Our community is built on outstanding experiences of gathering, learning, and connecting to a higher purpose by tackling the greatest challenges of this planet. Together, we stand for the freedom of thought and scientific research, and for making ground-breaking ideas accessible to society.

Commemorating Persecution - Celebrating Freedom - Sharing Knowledge

It was on 9 November 1938 when Nazis all over Germany committed horrific anti-Semitic pogroms, marking the last turn towards the darkest chapter in world history. This particularly historic date reminds us of the devastating consequences of neglecting the principles of borderless dialogue, scientific evidence, and free thinking.

As we gather on 9 November to celebrate the peaceful revolution brought by the fall of the Berlin Wall and honor the power of world-changing ideas, let us not forget that it is up to each of us to uphold the basic principles of human rights and freedom of thought.

The Work

We create initiatives, innovative real-world spaces, and novel digital platforms for future-paving scientific ideas worldwide by utilising a carefully curated blend of sharing information and experiences. We inspire by tapping into the wonder and awe inherent in science and by building bridges between those who dedicate their lives to world-changing tasks. We facilitate discourse and cooperation among the global avant-garde of researchers, decision-makers, thinkers, artists, and emerging talents. We believe in the value of dialogue beyond borders, building alliances for a more open, peaceful, and sustainable world to live in. Therefore, we enable scientists to share their knowledge with the widest possible audience, generating socially and geographically inclusive thinking and impact.

As a science-driven creative organization with an international and interdisciplinary mindset, we set the highest standards for our work, particularly in upholding the relevance and quality of our activities to help science engage audiences in innovative and impactful ways.