WASHINGTON, DC (November 21, 2014) – In the 21st century no single set of countries can lead the global economy. Instead, world growth must rely on the experience of industrialized nations combined with the dynamism of emerging markets.

Among the emerging markets of prominence is Brazil's. The South American giant has made great strides in the new century, but its performance more recently has raised concerns about stagnation. The country still has an untapped potential that, if used, could create great opportunity for itself and the rest of the world. The issue is, of course, how to get at that potential.

WASHINGTON, DC (October 9, 2014) – German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has vigorously defended the need for structural reform and the avoidance of further spending and deficits to spur European economic growth. In a discussion entitled "Growth and Austerity: Can the Eurozone Have Both?", hosted by the Bertelsmann Foundation and moderated by Financial Times Chief US Commentator Edward Luce, the minister also tamped down concerns about German economic health. “We don’t have a recession in Germany, we have a weakening of growth,” Schäuble said.

WASHINGTON, DC/GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (September 22, 2014) – Increased economic, social and political ties among countries have provided universal if uneven growth over the past two decades, with developed countries benefiting most from a higher level of globalization, according to a new study by the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Global Economic Dynamics program.

BRUSSELS (September 7, 2014) - Senior US and EU legislative staff members convened in Europe’s capital for the final leg of the 2014 Congressional European Parliament Initiative (CEPI) to cement closer links between their legislatures while exploring EU activities in international trade and e-governance.

The CEPI delegation, comprising ten fellows from the US Congress and ten from the European Parliament, met with politicians, non-profit organizations, international institutions, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to gain a better understanding of how EU policy initiatives are developed and implemented. These meetings involved more than just listening exercises. Exchanging experiences and ideas on issues common to staffers on both sides of the Atlantic was prevalent in every engagement.