The postwar order that has existed for decades is collapsing. Multilateralism is coming apart at the seams. Right-wing populist forces are gaining strength around the world. At the same time, many people find themselves unsettled by the consequences of climate change and the upheavals transforming the world of work. Something the year 2024 clearly demonstrated.
What can we at the Bertelsmann Stiftung offer in response? On the one hand, our project work, which uses facts and figures to provide guidance and which finds practical solutions to concrete problems. On the other hand, our confidence – which arises from an attitude long held by Reinhard Mohn – that things can again take a turn for the better if we are resolute enough to get involved.
The Bertelsmann Stiftung is doing exactly that. It is working to improve Germany’s educational system. It is focusing on social cohesion and views itself as an advocate for young people. It is looking for ways to strike a balance between economic growth and sustainability. It is contributing ideas that make the health-care system more effective and digital technologies more aligned with the common good. It is helping realize a better future for both local communities and Europe as a whole. And it is committed to democracy – all the more so in these challenging times.
This is reflected in our call to “Strengthen democracy!” – which the Bertelsmann Stiftung Adopted as both its annual topic for 2024/2025 and the motto for the Reinhard Mohn Prize. Democracy is never complete, but must continue to evolve. This is true in the fields of politics, society and business. After all, without a competitive, prosperity-creating economy, democracy cannot thrive.
We want to continue identifying, initiating and realizing the necessary transformation. To do this, the foundation must also transform itself, an area in which it has made great progress in recent years. Its structure has been streamlined, the focus of its projects has been sharpened, and its cross-program collaborations have been expanded. We will not let up in our efforts to ensure the foundation becomes even more agile, digital and sustainable. After all, that’s the only way we can continue to make an impact and improve the opportunities people have to participate.
In the past year, we made €76,9 million available for our nonprofit activities. Our 2024 Annual Report provides an overview of the resources we committed to our project work, while providing insights into the issues we are addressing at the foundation.
If you would like more detailed information about specific topics or projects, please feel free to contact our experts directly. We look forward to hearing from you!
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