The Bertelsmann Foundation North America is positioning itself as a Center of European Excellence in Washington, contributing timely policy solutions to challenges and ideas from Europe to the policy debate in DC. The new office will bring together important institutions and decision-makers from Europe and North America in order to promote mutual understanding. The work of the DC office will focus on four policy areas: transatlantic partnership, demographic change, education, and health policy.
"The opening of our office in Washington is an important step towards the internationalization of our work," stated Dr. Gunter Thielen, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bertelsmann Foundation, "In this age of globalization, we can only answer the central questions of our society when we engage in exchange across national borders. The central challenges of tomorrow demand that we work with international partners to find solutions today."
In order to become active in the region, the German-based Bertelsmann Stiftung created an independent foundation under the name, "The Bertelsmann Foundation North America." The President of the Foundation is Dr. Gunter Thielen, Chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung in Germany. Thielen is joined on the Board by Liz Mohn, Vice Chairwoman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, and Craig Kennedy, the President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). Other members of the board will be appointed in the course of the year. Annette Heuser has undertaken the office leadership in her role as Executive Director.
The opening of the office in Washington is an important institutional and organizational cornerstone of the international strategy of the foundation. Along with its main headquarters in Gütersloh, Germany, the Foundation maintains further offices in Berlin and Brussels. The foundation's office in Spain, the "Fundación Bertelsmann," is also active in Spain with its own independent projects. The opening of additional offices in other major regions of the world are planned in coming years.
For further questions, please contact:
Norbert Osterwinter
Phone: +49 52 41 81-81484
Email: Norbert.osterwinter@bertelsmann.de
Contact Information:
Bertelsmann Foundation North America
1101 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 901
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: +1-202-384-1980