Bertelsmann Foundation

Happy Holidays to You and Yours! The Bertelsmann Foundation Team

Just a day after Donald Trump’s decisive U.S. presidential win, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ushered in the end of his own government with the firing of his finance minister and coalition partner, Christian Lindner. Following a vote of no confidence on the Scholz government, snap elections will now be held on February 23. The center-right CDU is poised to make a return to power, but who will they choose to govern with? Read about challenges, contenders and the coalition carousel in our latest B|Brief from Courtney Flynn Martino https://lnkd.in/eY-P74kK

Predict the Future, Shape the Conversation! Join our RANGE Intercollegiate Forecasting Tournament focused on current events in the United States and Europe. Participants will be forecasting the key factors shaping the transatlantic relationship between the U.S. and EU. This tournament will feature teams from colleges and universities on both sides of the Atlantic, all competing for a variety of prizes, including a paid internship at our offices in DC! 📅 When: January 30 - April 30, 2025 🎓 Who: University students ready to tackle critical global issues Test your forecasting skills, contribute to meaningful insights, and engage with peers across the globe! Check it out here and share it with any current undergraduate or graduate students in your network who might be interested: https://lnkd.in/eH7DVasX

Transatlantic Periscope | Launch of the U.S. - Hungary module. The United States and Hungary formally established diplomatic relations in 1921. Twenty years later, Hungary severed the relationship, and then reinstated it in 1945 following the end of World War Two. While both countries are members of the NATO military alliance, tensions have recently been on the rise. In March 2024, the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman stated that the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s increasingly close relationship with Russian President Vladamir Putin during the war in Ukraine was jeopardizing its partnership with the United States.   To spotlight the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Hungary, the Bertelsmann Foundation, in partnership with Political Capital, is proud to announce the launch of the Transatlantic Periscope’s latest bilateral module, exploring the relationship between the United States and Hungary. This unique and interactive online platform curates expert commentary, high-quality media coverage, official policy documents, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and multimedia content. Political Capital is an independent policy research, analysis and consulting institute founded in 2001 in Budapest. The institute has developed an extended network of professional partners, both domestically and internationally, all of whom have helped Political Capital become one of the most influential think tanks in Central and East Europe. About the Transatlantic Periscope The Transatlantic Periscope is a continually updated resource that allows users to remain informed about the myriad developments within the transatlantic alliance, as well as the bilateral relationships that shape it. The Transatlantic Periscope uses an innovative, multifaceted methodology that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with human curation, led by in-country experts from respected research institutions. In an era of widespread misinformation and disinformation, the Transatlantic Periscope offers credible and trusted content about the relationship between the U.S., the EU, and the UK. Following the U.S. presidential election, this module comes at a pivotal time for the future of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Hungary. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/d67gunB2

🚀 Call for Applications: 2025 Bertelsmann Foundation Fellowship – The Geopolitics of Space 🌍 Are you ready to shape the future of transatlantic space collaboration? The Bertelsmann Foundation is seeking passionate fellows for its 2025 program, focusing on EU-US Space Cooperation. This prestigious five-month hybrid fellowship brings together 10 leaders from EU Member States, EU Institutions, the U.S. government, and the transatlantic private sector. Fellows will engage with top-level stakeholders across government, industry, civil society, and academia in Brussels and Washington, DC as well as virtually. What to Expect: In-depth discussions with peers and external experts on the geopolitics of space with special focus on: EU-US Space Cooperation, regulatory alignment and industrial competitiveness. All travel, accommodation, transportation, and meals covered (subject to ethics approvals.) Building a network of professionals passionate about the issue, as well as joining an active Alumni network. How to Apply: Send your resume (in English) to Chloe-Alexandra Ladd, Senior Manager of Transatlantic Relations, at chloe.ladd@bfna.org. Once your CV is received, you’ll receive an application form. Deadline to submit your resume is February 3rd 2025. Read the Call for Applications here: https://lnkd.in/eYa4bgj9

Rising Voices | Given the critical role of youth participation in the recent U.S. elections and in democratic engagement around the globe, we are proud to release Rising Voices, the latest chapter in our six-episode series highlighting stories of democratic and societal resilience in cities across Europe and the United States. In Rising Voices, we explore tactics and strategies to engage students as young as five-years-old in local democracy. Set in Vienna, Austria, we follow the work of WienXtra and the City Council of Vienna as they work with children and young adults to reshape their city and solve the challenges that Viennese residents, regardless of demographic, all share. From complex endeavors such as improving the city’s transit system to something as simple as planting trees, Rising Voices provides insights and solutions that can be replicated on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. This series has been created in collaboration with the GMF Cities program, and features a wide range of innovations in democracy from Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), Athens (Greece), Lexington (Kentucky), Barcelona (Spain), Minneapolis (Minnesota), and now Vienna (Austria).  Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eMa2U-Cg

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends, partners and colleagues!

The transatlantic partnership stands at a crossroads, shaped by generational divides, shifting priorities, and the political dynamics of 2024, as revealed in a recent EUpinions survey by Bertelsmann Stiftung. While older generations in both Europe (63%) and the U.S. (59%) see each other as key allies, younger generations are less convinced, with only 38% of Europeans and 34% of Americans sharing this view. Global developments are hitting closer to home and Europeans are taking notice. A striking 63% of Europeans now believe it's time "to go our own way" - a dramatic shift from just 25% in 2017. Priorities also differ across the Atlantic: Europeans rank securing peace as the EU’s top task (20%), while Americans focus on protecting civil liberties (23%), though both agree on the importance of migration management. As the 2024 U.S. election adds strain to EU-U.S. ties, new leaders must navigate this pivotal moment carefully, or risk long-term consequences for the partnership. At the same time, Europe’s call for a stronger global role (73% of EU citizens) highlights its readiness to lead, even as NATO remains a cornerstone of security, with 64% of Europeans and 59% of Americans agreeing on its protective role. Strengthening this bond will require addressing these challenges and fostering unity across generations and priorities. Read the full report results here: https://lnkd.in/e89nyEdT

In 1783, Sweden became one of the first countries to recognize America's independence. Over two centuries later, this historic bond continues to thrive. Curious about the strong Sweden-US relationship? Dive deeper into this unique bilateral connection with the new Sweden-US Module on the Transatlantic Periscope, curated by our partner Free World Forum. https://lnkd.in/e7dEReSK

Leadership in Action, a video series in collaboration with the Aspen Ministers Forum, The Aspen Institute, concludes Season 3 with a special episode featuring Tzipi Livni, former Foreign Minister of Israel and a leading voice for peace. Filmed before the recent conflict in Gaza, this episode focuses on her role in negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Discover insights into the diplomacy, challenges, and leadership needed for conflict resolution. Catch the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eueAh6c5 #GlobalLeadership #ConflictResolution #Diplomacy