The Leopoldina is the oldest German-speaking society of scholars and can look back on an uninterrupted history of more than 350 years, in which it has adhered continuously to the principles that were the basis of its formation: a free association of scholars, acting to advance human scientific development beyond the boundaries of disciplines and countries. About three quarters of its members are from the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland}, and one quarter from other countries. Since April 1991, the Leopoldina has been a registered, non-profit association and in 2008, the Leopoldina became the National Academy of Sciences in Germany. In this role, the Leopoldina has a duty to provide science-based advice to both politics and society and to carry out a representative function in international organizations and bodies assembled from national academies.