29. January 2026
Helmut Schüller takes over as head of the Global Ethic Initiative Austria
Helmut Schüller has been president of the Global Ethic Initiative Austria (IWEO) since December 2, 2025. He succeeds Edith Riether, who will remain active as honorary president after more than 20 years as president. Riether founded the IWEO in 2005 with the support of Hans Küng to promote ethical education in Austria and to bring the principles of the global ethic, such as the Golden Rule, justice, and truthfulness, into all areas of life. During her time in office, she initiated numerous educational and dialogue projects that continue to form the basis of the IWEO’s work today.
Schüller came into contact with Hans Küng’s idea of a global ethic early on through his theology studies and his work as a university chaplain, and has been involved in the educational and dialogue work of the IWEO since the 2000s, for example in connection with the Global Ethic Exhibition, university lecture series, and the work of the Ethics Dialogue Forum.
Er ist zudem Mitbegründer der österreichischen Pfarrer-Initiative, die sich für Reformen und Mitbestimmung in der Kirche einsetzt, und wurde 2012 von Hans Küng mit dem Herbert-Haag-Preis für Freiheit in der Kirche ausgezeichnet.
In his new role, he wants to continue the work started by Riether, further develop existing formats, and gain new partners.
“Personally, what drives me in my commitment to the Global Ethic Vision is above all the hope that religions will not stop at dialogue and mutual understanding, but will put their common ethical heritage to work for peace among themselves and, above all, for peace in the world."