Secret services - BND will ensure greater transparency for greater acceptance
The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is opening up more to the public and aims to increase acceptance of its work with greater transparency. For this reason, from August 6th, visitors to the German Foreign Intelligence Service's visitor center in Berlin will no longer require prior group registration to visit, as BND President Bruno Kahl announced during the expansion of the center's opening.
Since the visitor center was launched five years ago, thousands of citizens have been informed about the tasks, topics, authorizations, methods, and control of the Federal Intelligence Service through registered groups.
Kahl added, "This transparency is an essential part of what we naturally also hope will earn us a supplement of legitimacy, trust." The aim is to alleviate objections against the BND, generate understanding for the mission and methods, and present ourselves as a "competent, high-performing, and reliable service provider to the Federal Government."
The visitor center was inaugurated in November 2019. Until now, only groups with at least 20 members have been granted access, who must register. The concept has been revised. From August 6th, the visitor center in Berlin-Mitte will be open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours with free admission, according to Kahl. The center is part of the BND's personnel recruitment - the service competes with financially strong private companies in the search for specialists.
- The announcement for this change was made by BND President Bruno Kahl in Berlin, indicating that from August 6th, individuals no longer need prior group registration to visit the BND's visitor center.
- The Federal Government has welcomed the increased transparency initiatives of the BND, as President Kahl highlighted the importance of garnering public acceptance and building trust with the secret service.
- In response to Germany's ongoing need for skilled personnel in the field of intelligence, the BND visitor center in Berlin-Mitte will be open to the public, potentially attracting talent from various sectors away from private companies.
- Critics argue that the move towards greater transparency within the secret services may compromise national security, but President Kahl emphasizes that the BND's mission remains to safeguard Germany's interests and operate within the constitutional framework.
