Information material

In 2017, we celebrated our 40th anniversary, which made it a year of special events and activities. The highpoint was the ceremony held in Gütersloh Theater, with former German President Joachim Gauck giving the keynote speech. Since our foundation was established 40 years...

This year’s recipient, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, is recognized for his role as a pioneer and visionary of digital transformation in Europe. As President of Estonia, he decisively shaped his home country’s path to becoming a world-renowned “smart country” for more than ten years....

The Bertelsmann Stiftung is active in the areas of education, democracy, society, health, culture and the economy. It takes into consideration the four megatrends – globalization, digitization, demographic change and social inequality – that are impacting social,...

Until now the discourse on digitalization has often focused on the attendant dangers and technology, a situation the Bertelsmann Stiftung would like to change by contributing a new perspective, one that highlights societal aspects and opportunities for shaping digitalization...

This year's Reinhard Mohn Prize "Smart Country: Connected. Intelligent. Digital." went to Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the former President of Estonia. On June 29 in Gütersloh we awarded him the prize in honor of his pioneering work on the promotion of digitalization in government,...

The topic of refugees is still omnipresent. We can do it! #refugeeswelcome. It is no longer an abstract phenomenon, now we realize that there are real people made out of flesh and blood, living among us in our neighbourhoods. We can now visualize these individuals who have...

Last year we invested €72.7 million in philanthropic projects. Since the foundation was first established, we have made a total of €1.35 billion available for the nonprofit activities we carry out to achieve our goals. In 2016, the Bertelsmann Stiftung spent €55.6...

Children and young people have a right to a high-quality education and to grow an develop in a nurturing environment. After all, they are the most important resource for ensuring society's future! Moreover, a democracy will only be resilient if its citizens are well educates...

"Inspiring people. Shaping the future. Participating in an globalized world." This motto summarizes the work carried out by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Effective participation in society requires both the ability to act and the opportunity to do so. The Bertelsmann Stiftung´s...

The Reinhard Mohn Prize 2016 was awarded to Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. He was honoured as a thought leader in the field of responsible entrepreneurship.