Bertelsmann Stiftung "Press release"

European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS) to strengthen Europe’s Digital Future

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

On the eve of the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty in Berlin, leading European think tanks and experts announce the creation of the European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS) in a collaborative effort. This new initiative unites research expertise across the continent to boost Europe’s capacity for innovation and independence in key technologies like AI, cloud infrastructure, and semiconductors. ETRS aims to build the evidence base, foster collaboration, and shape policy for a resilient and values-driven digital future.

Germans would value more trustworthy online health information

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Most people these days look online for answers to questions on health. However, many have doubts on the integrity and quality of the information provided by social media platforms and AI chatbots. The Bertelsmann Stiftung would like to contribute to promoting reliable sources and increasing confidence in digital information on health by means of its new "InfoCure" international initiative.

Providing a future for the next generation

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Developing a climate-resilience strategy in Germany, Europe and worldwide is crucial for future generations in light of advancing climate change. It is essential for the continued existence of humanity and life on earth. Such a strategy will necessarily require a transformation of society and the economy towards a sustainable way of life and sustainable production. How to achieve this goal is the topic scientists from the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and of Social Sciences will be discussing with experts and young people from European cities and regions at the European Climate Resilience Summit on August 28 and 29 in Vienna. The summit’s partners are the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). The summit will conclude with a call to action, including an appeal for stakeholders to connect within European networks and shape the required change.

Better harnessing the democratic potential of gaming communities

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:45:49 +0200

In Germany, gaming is mostly seen as an economic factor or a form of entertainment. What is often neglected is how the players of digital games think and act politically – especially when they interact with each other in gaming communities, such as Twitch and Discord. In these digital spaces, high levels of socio-political engagement and trust in democracy coexist with a very diverse – but sometimes also problematic – culture of debate. It is important to finally understand gaming communities, take them seriously, and get their members politically involved.

Bertelsmann Stiftung restructures its Executive Board

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The Bertelsmann Stiftung is restructuring its Executive Board: Chairman Hannes Ametsreiter is leaving the foundation at his own request and by mutual agreement as of July 31, 2025. He is departing to assume new duties in the private sector once again. Brigitte Mohn, a member of both the Executive Board and the founding family, will lead the Bertelsmann Stiftung on an interim basis as chairwoman of the Executive Board. Daniela Schwarzer will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board, alongside Brigitte Mohn. As part of a planned expansion of the foundation's governance body, Wilfried Uhr is being appointed to the Executive Board as Chief Operating Officer. Uhr has held various management positions at the Bertelsmann Stiftung since 2000, most recently as Senior Vice President Corporate Operations.

Many advanced economies remain ill-prepared for present challenges

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

A shifting geopolitical landscape, sluggish growth, digital transformation, the climate crisis and accelerating demographic change are testing the capacity of OECD and EU countries to innovate and adapt like never before. Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway are among the best positioned. But the analysis of 144 indicators from the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI) reveals a troubling pattern: most advanced economies are still not adequately equipped to deliver sustainable policy.

Growth and innovation as cornerstones of a strong democracy and a digitally sovereign Europe

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Germany needs to be put back on track for growth and must drive innovation together with its European partners. After all, prosperity is an important guarantor of a stable democracy. Digital sovereignty is the anchor of a strong Europe. Germany can once again become a leading country of innovation and a driving force for the continent. For this to happen, the public sector must be thoroughly modernized. At its annual press conference, the foundation presented its proposals: increased innovation through more research and development; greater sovereignty in technologies; more consistent digitalization that serves the common good; and better citizen participation, especially by the younger generation, in democratic processes.

Cultural Relevance Monitor: The majority of society attaches key importance to cultural offerings

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Culture represents a key component of social cohesion in Germany and plays an essential role in democracy. This is demonstrated by the Liz Mohn Foundation's new Cultural Relevance Monitor 2025. For the second time, the Liz Mohn Foundation has conducted the Cultural Relevance Monitor to collect data on the social acceptance and use of cultural offerings in Germany. In this year's survey, the interplay between culture and democracy was examined for the first time. The study shows that a majority of 87% of the population perceives culture as a unifying element in an increasingly fast-changing society. Among young people in particular, there is a growing expectation for cultural institutions to take on a more active role in social debates.

Why Germany has too few female founders

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Women account for just 19% of startup founders in Germany, with that number ticking down in the past year. Among the biggest barriers are insufficient entrepreneurial education, structural challenges in reconciling care work and professional life, and limited access to key networks. Yet a new study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and conducted by the German Startup Association finds that, despite their continued underrepresentation, female founders have increasingly secured more venture capital in recent years. This positions them as potential key drivers of a new phase of growth in Germany's startup landscape.

Livestream at 11 am CET: Bertelsmann Stiftung awards Reinhard Mohn Prize to Maia Sandu and Michael Otto

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Otto will be awarded the 2025 Reinhard Mohn Prize on the topic "Strengthen democracy!" this Thursday, February 20. In awarding the prize, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is honoring both recipients for their efforts to defend democracy and make it sustainable. Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to attend the award ceremony at Gütersloh Theater, which can be viewed via livestream beginning at 11 am CET.