About Us

Albert Schweitzer (1975-1965) might be called the last of the universal men. He combined in one person the role of philosopher, theologian, musician, doctor, philanthropist. An idealist and an activist, he expressed in a prescient way many of the urgent problems society continues to encounter, whether these relate to post-industrial alienation or in particular environmental destruction. 

Through his idea of reverence for life, he sought to present a course which he felt would lead to the restoration of civilisation. That he sought to embody his ideals through his medical mission station at Lambaréné made him a compelling figure in a world recovering from the horrors of the Second World War. 

While much less well-known than he used to be, his thought and his example remain no less relevant than they were when he was at the height of his fame, and the Schweitzer Institute of Environmental Ethics is dedicated to advancing his ideals.   

Founded in the United States in 1984 as the Albert Schweitzer Memorial Foundation, the Institute conducts international programs that link education, ethics and voluntarism. One of our primary objectives is to explore environmental ethics, which is about considering the moral and ethical relationship of human beings to non-human animals and the environment. 

Our programs focus on motivating young people to serve the community, nature and the environment as a way of life; stimulating scholarly research on Albert Schweitzer's life and work; and increasing awareness of Dr Schweitzer's philosophy of Reverence for Life and its potential for a more peaceful and sustainable world.    

The Schweitzer Institute is registered with the Charity Commission as the Schweitzer Foundation UK (Charity 1187127).