Gerald Häfner leads the Section for Social Sciences at the Goetheanum in Dornach, initially as co-leader from 2015. He studied German literature, Waldorf education, social sciences and philosophy, and was a member of the German Bundestag for Alliance 90/The Greens (1987–2002, with interruptions) and of the European Parliament (2009–2014). He co-founded initiatives for democracy and civil rights, including Mehr Demokratie and Democracy International.