Bertelsmann Foundation

Bertelsmann Foundation The Bertelsmann Foundation, established in 2008, is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit think tank in Washington, D.C.

with a transatlantic perspective on global challenges.

As tensions over trade once again flare up between the U.S. and EU, explore the Transatlantic Barometer “Transatlantic T...
06/06/2026

As tensions over trade once again flare up between the U.S. and EU, explore the Transatlantic Barometer “Transatlantic Trade” indicator to refresh yourself on the key statistics, goods and agreements in the U.S.’s trade relationship with each of its transatlantic partners.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4vAqkmE

As Ljubljana shifts directions and Jansa returns to power, look back on our TransatlanticPeriscope Deep Dive on the 2026...
06/05/2026

As Ljubljana shifts directions and Jansa returns to power, look back on our TransatlanticPeriscope Deep Dive on the 2026 Slovenian parliamentary election for key developments in the campaign and government formation process.

🔗 in bio for more

What happens to democracy when nobody is left watching?For decades, local newspapers served as watchdogs, exposing corru...
06/05/2026

What happens to democracy when nobody is left watching?

For decades, local newspapers served as watchdogs, exposing corruption, holding public officials accountable, and providing communities with a shared understanding of the issues shaping their lives.

Today, that model is under immense strain. Newsrooms are shrinking, newspapers are disappearing, and entire communities are becoming news deserts. The consequences extend far beyond the media industry, affecting civic trust, political polarization, and the spread of misinformation.

In Episode 14 of The Transponder, host Samuel George, PhD speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tom Hamburger about the decline of local journalism, what has been lost in the process, and why the future of democracy may depend on rebuilding local news.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation: https://apple.co/4vA9rbO

Democratic Resilience Starts in the ClassroomHow do we build democratic resilience in an era of digital distractions, de...
06/03/2026

Democratic Resilience Starts in the Classroom
How do we build democratic resilience in an era of digital distractions, declining attention spans, and growing polarization?

In the latest episode of our How to Fix Democracy podcast, we speak with award-winning author and scholar James Traub about why civic education remains one of the most powerful tools for strengthening democracy. Drawing on his experiences visiting classrooms across the United States, Traub explores how schools can help prepare the next generation of engaged citizens.

The conversation explores the importance of civic education in sustaining democratic institutions, the impact of technology and social media on civic engagement, why respectful disagreement is an essential democratic skill, and what young people need to become informed and active citizens.

At a time when democracies around the world face increasing challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into how resilience can be built from the ground up, starting in the classroom.

Listen now: https://apple.co/4dLGvrb

As a new government has taken shape in Sofia, look back on our Deep Dive on the 2026 Bulgarian parliamentary election ...
06/02/2026

As a new government has taken shape in Sofia, look back on our Deep Dive on the 2026 Bulgarian parliamentary election for key developments in the campaign and government formation process.

Deep Dive: https://bit.ly/4udEGZ3

For those looking to stay informed on U.S.-Bulgaria relations after the election, our bilateral module on the Periscope, curated by our partner Centre for Liberal Strategies, has everything you need to know.

U.S.-Bulgaria Module: https://bit.ly/4uGKEm5

When will the International Space Station deorbit? Will a commercial alternative be ready in time? Will lawmakers push b...
06/02/2026

When will the International Space Station deorbit?
Will a commercial alternative be ready in time?
Will lawmakers push back the current timeline?

These are just a few of the questions facing policymakers, aerospace industry professionals, and the public as the ISS approaches the end of its operational life.

In our latest RANGE forecasting question, we examine whether the station will complete its controlled deorbit by January 31, 2031, given shifting congressional timelines and the still-evolving architecture of the commercial transition.

Submit your forecast here: www.rangeforecasting.org

Partners in Orbit 🌍🚀Five space agencies. Fifteen nations. The International Space Station has kept people living and wor...
06/01/2026

Partners in Orbit 🌍🚀
Five space agencies. Fifteen nations. The International Space Station has kept people living and working in space for over 25 years. Even as geopolitical tensions strain relations on Earth, the ISS has remained a rare space where international cooperation still holds.

https://bit.ly/49AqEZZ

From the first votes at the polls to the first votes in the new parliament, our Deep Dive on the 2026 Hungarian electi...
06/01/2026

From the first votes at the polls to the first votes in the new parliament, our Deep Dive on the 2026 Hungarian election catalogued every moment of this closely-watched election. Look back here: https://bit.ly/4uFOJHd

A huge thank you to our partners Political Capital for their collaboration on the Deep Dive. To stay on top of Hungary’s bilateral relations with the U.S. under the Magyar government, Political Capital’s carefully curated module regularly highlights the most important developments between Budapest and Washington.

Visit the the U.S.-Hungary module: https://bit.ly/4x1ux4h

What Comes After Z? Gen Z Protest Outcomes in Bangladesh and BulgariaAs youth protests led by Gen Z spread throughout th...
05/27/2026

What Comes After Z? Gen Z Protest Outcomes in Bangladesh and Bulgaria

As youth protests led by Gen Z spread throughout the world in 2024 and 2025, Bangladesh and Bulgaria both saw their political status quo upended. Now, as the dust settles after each country’s post-protest elections, the successes and failures of both movements are coming into focus. Despite mixed results in achieving their aims, it is undeniable that youth protests sparked dramatic change. The impact of Gen Z movements will continue to make waves, as reform efforts continue to take center-stage in Dhaka and Sofia.

Explore the aftermath of Gen Z protests in Bangladesh and Bulgaria and the ways in which youth-led protest movements can serve as catalysts for system-wide change.

Read here: https://bit.ly/4fbRBXE

With all the votes now tallied in Cyprus’ election on Sunday, we are launching a Deep Dive on the Cypriot parliamentar...
05/26/2026

With all the votes now tallied in Cyprus’ election on Sunday, we are launching a Deep Dive on the Cypriot parliamentary election.

This Deep Dive covers key developments in the election and subsequent government formation, drawing from media articles, expert analysis, opinion pieces, data points and multimedia resources. It will be a crucial tool for staying informed as the election’s impact on Cypriot policymaking becomes clear.

Learn More: https: https://bit.ly/42W8HBy

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