The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural association operating worldwide with the goal of promoting the study of the German language abroad and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations. It was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Germany. The organization has a global presence with 159 institutes in 98 countries, and employs around 3,990 people. The Goethe-Institut offers a variety of programs and services, including language courses, cultural events, and educational exchanges. It also maintains libraries and resource centers, and provides support for German studies programs at universities around the world.