Werner Erhard

Werner Erhard Biography

Werner Erhard is a critical thinker who has influenced the academic community worldwide with his revolutionary ideas first expressed in The est Training. He introduced the 20th Century notion of transformation and has had an enormous impact as a thought leader, humanitarian and business man. Currently retired from business, Werner Erhard devotes his time to speaking, publishing his ideas in academic papers and developing courses and other materials for Universities such as Harvard, Dartmouth, and Erasmus.

Breakthrough Foundation

Breakthrough Foundation The Breakthrough Foundation was an independent non-profit organization dedicated to changing the direction of thousands of young people’s lives through the Youth at Risk Program. The project won national acclaim for its outstanding results in turning around the lives of young people who were severely at risk for drug abuse, unemployment, and violent crime. The National Institute of Justice studied the Youth At Risk Program and found a significant reduction in recidivism. President George H.W. Bush recognized the Breakthrough Foundation as one of his "thousand points of light." - Werner Erhard Foundation
Here is an inspiring video about the Youth at Risk program in Colorado:

Werner Erhard Foundation Projects

Werner Erhard's est Training inspired thousands of est participants to fulfill humanitarian objectives and create a better world. Creating many not-for-profit organizations, the foundation which was started by Werner Erhard along with other original est staffers, most notably Gonneke Spits. Literally hundreds of thousands of people illustrated that the power of "the little individual" can improve communities and the world. 'The Breakthrough Foundation' gave 'Youths At Risk' new opportunities in their lives. The Breakthrough Foundation also fostered and funded development in Africa. People committed to end hunger in the world through 'The Hunger Project' and its many offshoots created many projects that continue 4 decades later. The 'Community Workshop' gave ordinary citizens a new opportunity to contribute to their communities. These organizations, along with the Werner Erhard Foundation, played a hand in inspiring est Training participants to go out and make a difference in their lives,to contribute to humanity, and give back to their communities, in addition to providing forums for the individual to make a difference worldwide. For more information about the Werner Erhard Foundation visit http://wernererhardfoundation.org.

Werner Erhard Foundation Video

Video from 1982 which describes the many projects created by The Werner Erhard Foundation.

The Werner Erhard Foundation (originally founded as The est Foundation) fostered and supported this emerging paradigm by providing financial and organizational support to individuals and groups engaged in charitable and educational pursuits – research, communication, education, and scholarly endeavors in the fields of individual and social transformation and human well-being. We see our contribution to these people and groups as an investment in the development of a new context: a world that works for everyone.

Reviewing the grants they made, one might question what a Tibetan holy man and a systems analyst have in common. A closer look reveals that the emerging paradigm shows itself in every field of endeavor: from religions to sports, from health care to art, from education to entertainment. The Werner Erhard Foundation supported a remarkable diversity of ideas, projects, and people, welcoming opportunities to provide for interdisciplinary interactions. - read more at http://www.wernererhardfoundation.org