Publications

Since 2013, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has in numerous studies repeatedly examined the state of social cohesion, while seeking to determine which factors influence it. These efforts have included studies with a cross-national comparative focus, at the national level in Germany...

The topic of social cohesion has gained significantly in importance in recent years, while attracting increasing attention. Over the long term, the megatrends of globalization, digital transformation and demographic change are driving rapid, comprehensive and fundamental...

The third of October 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of German reunification. The debate over whether, and if so at what pace, a Germany that “belongs together is growing together” is just as old. Differences between the federal states of the former West Germany and the...

“Trust in social and political institutions” is one of nine dimensions underlying the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s empirical measure of social cohesion. Although the studies we have conducted in recent years have shown that social cohesion in Germany as a whole remains strong, an...

Globalization and the changes it brings pose challenges for social cohesion. Globalization expert Ian Goldin gave the keynote speech at the High-Level Round Table kicking off the Trying Times conference 2019. In this interview, he explores various aspects of his argument.

Canadian author John Ralston Saul gave the closing speech titled “How to make social cohesion work” at the Trying Times conference 2019. Her argues that the social cohesion of the future needs both diversity and community.

The Living Document for the 2019 Trying Times Conference summarizes in eight thematic areas the challenges and recommendations identified as relevant to social cohesion in the world of tomorrow.

The study provides an overview of the key changes and challenges affecting social cohesion in society that are driven by the megatrends of globalization, digitalization and demographic change.

This documentation summarizes Young Europeans’ Forum 2019 on “Building bridges for social cohesion,” held from June 25 to 27 in Berlin. The Bertelsmann Stiftung organized the Forum together with the Aladdin Project and in cooperation with UNESCO.

Cities have always been the site of interaction among people with different identities, lifestyles and customs. And they have always attracted migrants – people leaving rural areas for an urban environment, people who have left other countries for Germany. The study offers...