[2] After World War II, politicians met at the academy to discuss the future of German democracy.

Egon Bahr spoke on 15 July 1963 about "change through rapprochement", which influenced the relationship of chancellor Willy Brandt to the German Democratic Republic, resulting in the Ostpolitik.

[3] Conferences at the academy initiated changes in politics, social sciences, religion, arts and culture.

The conference hall was built in 1959 by Olaf Andreas Gulbransson as a round auditorium with seating in a circular arrangement.

[5] In 1980, Hans-Busso von Busse added a restaurant in wood and glass which recalls the architecture of the Palmenhaus.