The German Federal Agency for Civic Education - the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung or the ”bpb” as it is referred to in short - is a federal public authority providing citizenship education and information on political issues to all people in Germany. “Citizenship education” in this connection broadly means educating and encouraging citizens to actively participate in society and in the democratic process. The bpb’s work focuses on fostering an awareness of what democracy is and on furthering participation in politics and social life.