Stichting Civis Mundi

Stichting Civis Mundi is a Dutch non-profit foundation based in The Hague that publishes the journal Civis Mundi, subtitled Tijdschrift voor Politieke Filosofie en Kultuur (Journal for Political Philosophy and Culture). The name is Latin for 'world citizen'. The journal was founded by the jurist and publicist Wim Couwenberg at the request of Cees van den Heuvel, then chairman of the Oost-West Instituut, a Dutch foundation for the study of and information about East-West relations. From 1962 to 1970 the publication appeared under the title Oost-West; since 1971 it has been published as Civis Mundi by the Stichting Oost-West, which later became Stichting Civis Mundi. Until 2009 it appeared four times a year in print; since 2010 it has been published digitally and is distributed to the public via the internet and e-mail. Wim Couwenberg, emeritus professor of constitutional and administrative law, served as editor-in-chief, with regular editors including Michel van Hulten, Hans Feddema and Piet Ransijn. Beyond the journal, the foundation publishes yearbooks, organises conferences, and finances two endowed chairs at Erasmus University Rotterdam: the chair in Philosophy of Culture, Politics and Religion (since 2008, held by Marli Huijer) and the chair in Philosophy of Medicine and the Malleability of Man (since 2011, held by Maartje Schermer). In 2015 Couwenberg received the Desiderius award from Erasmus University Rotterdam for his contributions to public debate in the Netherlands. The foundation's stated aim is to promote scientifically responsible reflection on the foundations, fundamental problems, organisation and functioning of society in national and international context. Its website offers free subscription to the monthly digital magazine and an archive of articles organised by theme.

Civis Mundi traces its origins to the Oost-West Instituut, a Dutch foundation for the study of and information about East-West relations. From 1962 to 1970 the institute published a journal under the title Oost-West. In 1971 the publication was renamed Civis Mundi and taken over by the Stichting Oost-West, which later became Stichting Civis Mundi. The journal was founded by the jurist and publicist Wim Couwenberg at the request of Cees van den Heuvel, chairman of the Oost-West Instituut. Under the subtitle Tijdschrift voor Politieke Filosofie en Kultuur, it established itself as a platform for political philosophy and cultural debate in the Netherlands. Until 2009 it appeared four times a year in print. From 2010 onward it was digitised and made available to the public only via the internet and e-mail, with free subscription. Wim Couwenberg, emeritus professor of constitutional and administrative law, served as editor-in-chief, supported by regular editors including Michel van Hulten, Hans Feddema and Piet Ransijn. The foundation expanded its activities beyond the journal: it publishes yearbooks, organises conferences, and finances two endowed chairs at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The first, in Philosophy of Culture, Politics and Religion, was established in 2008 and held by Marli Huijer. The second, in Philosophy of Medicine and the Malleability of Man, was established in 2011 and held by Maartje Schermer. On 15 January 2015, at the presentation of the yearbook MMXIV, Wim Couwenberg received the Desiderius award from Erasmus University Rotterdam in recognition of his contributions to public discussion and opinion-forming in the Netherlands over the preceding half century. The foundation continues to publish the digital magazine, with issues such as Civis Mundi Digitaal #173 (August 2026) featuring articles on themes ranging from identity and complexity to wuwei and information technology.

• 2026

  Civis Mundi Digitaal #173 published in August.

• 2015

  Wim Couwenberg receives the Desiderius award from Erasmus University Rotterdam on 15 January.

• 2011

  Endowed chair in Philosophy of Medicine and the Malleability of Man established at Erasmus University Rotterdam, held by Maartje Schermer.

• 2010

  Journal becomes digital-only, distributed via internet and e-mail.

• 2009

  Final year of the quarterly print edition.

• 2008

  Endowed chair in Philosophy of Culture, Politics and Religion established at Erasmus University Rotterdam, held by Marli Huijer.

• 1971

  Renamed Civis Mundi and published by Stichting Oost-West (later Stichting Civis Mundi).

• 1970

  Last year of publication under the title Oost-West.

• 1962

  Publication begins under the title Oost-West, issued by the Oost-West Instituut.

A non-profit Dutch foundation and journal dedicated to scientifically grounded reflection on the foundations and functioning of society, published digitally and free of charge.

• Civis Mundi – Tijdschrift voor Politieke Filosofie en Kultuur

  Journal of political philosophy and culture, digital monthly since 2010, free subscription.

• Yearbooks

  Annual publications issued by the foundation.

• Endowed chairs

  Two endowed professorships at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

1. 1Civis Mundi » homecivismundi.nl
2. 2Stichting Civis Mundi – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Civis Mundi – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org