In deep sorrow, the German Adult Education Association (DVV) bids farewell to its Honorary President, Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth. For more than 35 years, and until the very end, she stood alongside the adult education centres, tirelessly advocating for the strengthening of publicly funded continuing education. With the passing of Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, the vhs family loses its courageous and convincing champion, and Germany one of its most dedicated politicians.
On 24 April 1988, Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth was elected President of the German Adult Education Association (DVV) for the first time. As the first woman and first high‑ranking politician to hold this honorary position, she brought not only exceptional political experience, but also enriched the association’s work with her expertise in educational science and her deep understanding of biographical learning processes.
Although her high political offices – first as Federal Minister for Youth, Family and Health, and later as President of the Bundestag – carried great responsibility, Rita Süssmuth always fulfilled her role in the DVV with utmost dedication. For her, the DVV presidency was always much more than a symbolic function. Throughout her life, she was united with the adult education centres by the shared conviction that education is the key to an open and just society. From that conviction, she passionately championed an inclusive and integrative education policy that never focused solely on the acquisition of knowledge. Lifelong learning, she believed, opens up opportunities for every individual and forms the social foundation for cultural diversity and democratic cohesion.
Whether in the field of educational equity, promoting participation, strengthening marginalised groups, integrating migrants, or expanding international cooperation: throughout the years, many of the political achievements of this progressive social policymaker went hand in hand with her commitment to the mission of the adult education centres. In her 27 years as President of the DVV, Rita Süssmuth repeatedly succeeded, with determination and perseverance, in giving not only the issues but also the adult education centres themselves a strong voice and in enhancing recognition for the work of publicly funded continuing education.
In recognition of her decades-long commitment, the DVV General Assembly unanimously elected Rita Süssmuth as the association’s first Honorary President in 2015, following her departure from the official presidency. In this role, she remained a prominent and effective supporter of German adult education centres even after her active political career.
She was also an advocate for international cooperation in adult education worldwide through her work as a member of the Advisory Board of DVV International. In her honour, DVV International has awarded the “Rita Süssmuth Prize for the International Adult Education Centre” since 2019. Most recently, the award was presented on 4 June 2025 during the General Assembly of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) in Leipzig to adult education centres that—true to Süssmuth’s example—demonstrate strong international engagement, build bridges, welcome people, and broaden perspectives.
Rita Süssmuth was a visionary who always placed people at the centre of her thinking. She inspired generations to recognise and embrace their rights and opportunities. Her tireless commitment to social justice and equal opportunity set standards for all who now and in the future bear responsibility for education, education policy, and social policy in our country.
In this time of farewell, our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with her or benefitting from her wisdom and humanity. Rita Süssmuth will live on in the memory of all of us. She encouraged, inspired, and enriched us. We held her in the highest regard and were very fond of her.