Kultusministerkonferenz

The Standing Conference as a guarantor of joint action in education, science, and culture

Matters of education, science, and culture are an expression and a central element of our federal strength. They shape the autonomy of the Länder while contributing to the future viability of our society. In this shared responsibility, the Länder work together in three sub-conferences—on education, science, and culture—under the umbrella of, and jointly as, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

Artificial intelligence, teacher recruitment and teacher education, cultural participation, as well as the societal challenges of our time, are issues that cut across the boundaries of education, science, and cultural policy. They cannot be solved separately but only through collective effort.

The KMK represents the Länder’s ability to transform their diversity into reliable unity where cross-cutting issues require it, while maintaining professional autonomy. It consolidates the strengths of the Länder—visible externally and effective internally.

It gives the Länder a clear voice towards the federal government, the EU, and international partners without diminishing their autonomy, makes consensus visible, accelerates coordination processes, and enhances the reliability of decisions. It strengthens public perception of the Länder as constructive shapers—rather than as 16 separate individual voices.

The KMK stands for the strategic unity of the three sub-conferences. Decisions in education, science, and cultural policy are considered within an overall context and aligned with one another. Joint fields of action are coordinated by the KMK Secretariat. This ensures coherence and creates synergies that unfold impact during implementation.

The KMK Plenary is the forum for cross-Länder decisions on cross-cutting issues. The three sub-conferences retain their full professional autonomy. A joint executive board provides the strategic framework for overarching topics and ensures coordinated timing.

The KMK strengthens the future viability of the education and cultural system, guarantees a comprehensive perspective across educational pathways, scientific development, and cultural conditions, and enhances the Länder’s visibility in Europe and the world.

In this way, the KMK keeps its promise to decide jointly on shared matters—for the benefit of the people and the good of a strong, learning nation. 

Our Board

Education

Minister of State Anna Stolz

Bavaria, President of the 
Conference of Education Ministers

Portraitfoto Präsidentin der Bildungsministerkonferenz Anna Stolz
Science

Minister of State Markus Blume

Bavaria, President of the
Conference of Science Ministers

Portraitfoto Präsident der Wissenschaftsministerkonferenz Markus Blume
Culture

Minister of State Katharina Binz

Rhineland-Palatinate, President of the
Conference of Culture Ministers

Our Commission for Administrative Affairs

The Administrative Commission, newly established as part of the structural reform, is intended to relieve the ministers by taking over administrative and operational tasks. It accompanies and supports the work of the Secretariat. The Administrative Commission consists of six representatives from the Conferences of Ministers for Science, Culture, and Education at the level of heads of administration. Its members serve for a term of three years, with the KMK’s host state—currently the Senate Department for Science, Health, and Care in Berlin, which holds legal and technical supervision over the KMK Secretariat—being a permanent member. The Secretary General and their deputy are permanent, non-voting guests.

 

Our secretariat

The Secretariat handles the ongoing work of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and its sub-conferences. In particular, it prepares the plenary, committee, and commission meetings of the Standing Conference and is responsible for analyzing and implementing the results of these consultations. The Secretariat of the Standing Conference, with offices in Berlin and Bonn, is headed by Secretary General Udo Michallik. His permanent deputy has been Dr. Katja Böhler.

 

The Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, with offices in Berlin and Bonn, is headed by Secretary General Udo Michallik.
Since July 1, 2025, his permanent deputy has been Dr. Katja Böhler.

Letters to the presidencies and to the Secretariat’s leadership
… should kindly be addressed to the Secretariat’s Berlin office:

P.O. Box 11 03 42
10833 Berlin

koordinierungkmk@kmk.org

 

 

 

Inquiries regarding the evaluation of foreign school and higher education qualifications:

Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
P.O. Box 2240, 53012 Bonn

For authorities: zab@kmk.org
For private individuals: zabservice@kmk.org

Telephone: +49 228 501‑664
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu: 9:00–12:00 / 14:00–15:00; Fri: 9:00–12:00

 

Visitor Service at the Secretariat

The Secretariat of the Standing Conference offers interested groups the opportunity to learn about the functions, tasks, and current topics of the Standing Conference, as well as the education system, during a visit to one of its two locations.

We kindly ask for prior registration, including a brief description of the group, the number of participants, the preferred date, and a thematic focus.

Registration and scheduling:

Andreas Schmitz
Phone: +49 (0) 228 501 611
Email

Back to top