Mourning Guido Westerwelle
On March 16, Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s former foreign minister and member of our Board of Trustees, dies at the age of 55. Westerwelle was closely associated with the Bertelsmann Stiftung. At several conferences on the European Neighbourhood Policy, for example, he pressed for greater engagement with the Arab world and the democratic transformation taking place there.
Founding of the Forum for Education and Digitalization
In May, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is joined by the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Siemens Stiftung to launch the Forum for Education and Digitalization. Stiftung Mercator provides additional funding for the project. The initiative serves as a platform for all leading actors from educational practice, politics, academia, business and society. The goal is to work together to identify opportunities, requirements and suitable strategies for promoting digital education in Germany.
Establishment of the Founders Foundation
In spring, the Bertelsmann Stiftung establishes the nonprofit Founders Foundation, which supports up-and-coming entrepreneurs as they launch their startups. The goal is to use training events, workshops, networking and workspaces to motivate people with innovative ideas to create businesses in the region of East Westphalia–Lippe. A Founders Academy and Founders Camp round out the organization’s offerings.
Reinhard Mohn Prize for Klaus Schwab