The Van Leer Institute

The Van Leer Institute was founded by the Van Leer family to advance knowledge in the realms of philosophy, society, and culture. Since 1959 it has operated as a center for advanced studies and for intellectual public discourse. Its intellectual and research goals are rooted in its commitment to public responsibility and civil ethics. With the support of the Van Leer Group Foundation in Holland and under the guidance of its board of directors, the Institute plays a central role in highly important and socially sensitive fields, touching on the main foci of tension in Israeli society. The contribution of a core of renowned scholars at the Institute has made possible the successful implementation of reforms and new approaches in formal and informal education, policy studies, civil empowerment, and cultural diversity. The Institute continues to realize its vision in the areas of culture, identity, and social unity.