The Hertie School of Governance was founded by the Hertie Foundation, located in Frankfurt. The school was established in 2003 as one of the first European professional schools for public policy. It is a private university based in Berlin, Germany, accredited by the state and the German Science Council. It prepares exceptional students for leadership positions in government, business, and civil society. Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented teaching, first-class research and an extensive international network set the Hertie School apart and position it as an ambassador of good governance, characterised by public debate and engagement.