News from Bertelsmann Foundation

  • Media Advisory:
    A GERMAN EXIT FROM THE EUROZONE? NOT WORTH IT.

    Benefits of keeping the common currency outweigh costs of withdrawal

    WASHINGTON, DC/GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (April 29, 2013) - Eurozone membership provides Germany with significant economic gains that more than compensate for any advantages from a return to the deutschmark, a new Bertelsmann Foundation-commissioned study calculates. The currency union's benefits remain even if Germany were to retain the euro and take a significant haircut on its loans to four eurozone countries hit hard by financial or fiscal crisis.

  • Media Advisory:
    TEMPERED OPTIMISM GREETS TTIP

    Bertelsmann Foundation-Atlantic Council survey: Most stakeholders in a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership see modest agreement in force by 2016

    WASHINGTON, DC (April 17, 2013) - A Bertelsmann Foundation-Atlantic Council survey of 120 stakeholders in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations reveals that 88 percent believe the US and the European Union (EU) will come to an agreement on expanding their economic ties. But the overwhelming optimism is qualified. Only 37 percent of those surveyed foresee a "broad" agreement; a slight majority of 55 percent forecast a less comprehensive "moderate" pact. The results are included in a 10-page report being released tomorrow at the 5th annual Bertelsmann Foundation-Financial Times conference.

  • Media Advisory:
    NO AAA FOR THE USA

    INCRA sovereign-debt rating AA+: Governance issues put Washington at risk for a downgrade

    WASHINGTON, DC (April 14, 2013) - Ongoing political gridlock and relatively elevated debt ratios have earned the United States a sovereign-debt rating of AA+ rating with a stable outlook, according to the criteria used by INCRA, the Bertelsmann Foundation's proposal for an international non-profit credit rating agency. INCRA's methodology goes beyond traditional macroeconomic data to include qualitative, forward-looking indicators such as the ability to implement reform, and crisis-management capabilities.

  • Media Advisory:
    SYSTEM UPGRADE: TIME FOR AN ECONOMIC RE-BOOT

    Bertelsmann Foundation - Financial Times 5th annual conference on April 18 to focus on economic growth through innovation, global financial governance and the eurozone crisis

    Confirmed speakers include Ali Babacan, Marsha Blackburn, Anders Borg, Mauricio Cárdenas, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Keith Ellison, Carly Fiorina, Colleen Hanabusa, Pierre Moscovici, Tim Pawlenty, Wolfgang Schäuble, Paul Volcker

    INCRA to present US sovereign-debt rating

    Bertelsmann Foundation-Atlantic Council survey of TTIP stakeholders to be released

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    WASHINGTON, DC (April 5, 2013) - The Bertelsmann Foundation and the Financial Times are again joining forces to bring together a select group of high-ranking international government officials and business and thought leaders for their 5th annual financial conference:

    "System Upgrade: Time for a Global Economic Re-boot"

    This day-long conference will take place Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC from 8:30am to 4:15pm EDT.

  • Media Advisory:
    USA RANKS LAST IN INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE

    American youth face greater economic, social and environmental burdens than their counterparts in other industrialized countries

    WASHINGTON, DC/GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (April 11, 2013) - The United States has the most intergenerationally unjust society among 29 developed nations, a Bertelsmann Foundation study released today concludes. The report, "Intergenerational Justice in Aging Societies", examines most OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries and their policies that place unfair burdens on future generations or reflect a bias towards older or younger citizens.

  • Media Advisory:
    A "STEADY HAND" POLICY: NEW OBAMA ADMINISTRATION NEEDS CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT AND AN ECONOMIC COMPACT WITH EUROPE

    Bertelsmann Foundation today releases a "Field Manual to Europe" with Madeleine Albright and Vin Weber

    WASHINGTON, DC (January 17, 2013) - The second Obama administration must acknowledge that Europe remains simultaneously a partner and a challenge to US foreign policy, a new Bertelsmann Foundation publication concludes. The "Field Manual to Europe" warns that Europe is not "solved" and calls on Washington to confront this foreign- and economic-policy challenge by replacing the occasional trans-Atlantic cooperation that occurs in moments of crisis with constant consultation, or a "steady hand", on the myriad issues that face the trans-Atlantic partners. The "Field Manual to Europe" also urges the US to kick-start a closer relationship with Europe by initiating a concrete project to spur economic growth—a new, trans-Atlantic economic compact. For its part, Europe should recognize the US stake in the EU's ongoing integration process.

    The "Field Manual to Europe" is being presented today in a discussion on trans-Atlantic relations led by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Congressman Vin Weber.

  • Media Advisory:
    INCRA: GERMANY'S TOP SOVEREIGN-DEBT RATING SECURE ONLY WITH REFORM

    Serious risks to France's rating; Italy cited for good euro-crisis management

    WASHINGTON, DC/BERLIN (November 20, 2012) - A downgrading of Germany's top sovereign-debt credit rating can be avoided only if the country continues to implement fiscal reform at home and push for similar reform in its eurozone partners, according to the criteria set out in the Bertelsmann Foundation's proposal for the first international, non-profit credit rating agency (INCRA). This conclusion is part of a new INCRA report, presented today in Berlin, that provides test sovereign-debt ratings for five countries: Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

  • Media Advisory:
    3rd Class of CEPI Fellows Convenes

    Five-day staffer exchange between Washington and Brussels legislatures begins next week; financial services/banking regulation and agriculture policy in the spotlight

    WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2012) - The Bertelsmann Foundation's Congressional European Parliament Initiative (CEPI) is pleased to announce the third class of CEPI Fellows who will participate in this year's exchange program for staff from the two legislative bodies. The talented group of ten Congressional staffers and ten European Parliament staffers will gather May 29-June 2 in Brussels for the first of two five-day meetings.

  • Media Advisory:
    A Blueprint for "INCRA" - An International Non-Profit Credit Rating Agency

    Bertelsmann Foundation releases report on creating an organization for sovereign-debt ratings with more transparent and comprehensive criteria

    WASHINGTON, DC (April 17, 2012) - In light of the intense criticism leveled against credit rating agencies for their perceived failure to analyze adequately sovereign creditworthiness, the Bertelsmann Foundation has developed a blueprint for an international non-profit credit rating agency (INCRA), whose rating criteria are designed to increase credibility and international acceptance.

  • Media Advisory:
    Making a Comeback: A Return To Jobs and Growth

    Bertelsmann Foundation - Financial Times 4th annual conference on April 19 to focus on labor-market reform and innovation, global financial governance

    Framework for an international non-profit credit rating agency to be presented

    Confirmed speakers include Jörg Asmussen, Marek Belka, Thomas Donohue, James Flaherty, Ma Weihua, Hilda Solis, Gene Sperling, Chris Van Hollen, Ursula von der Leyen

    Christine Lagarde April 18 reception guest of honor

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    WASHINGTON, DC (April 10, 2012) - The Bertelsmann Foundation, the Financial Times and media sponsor China Daily are bringing together a select group of high-ranking international government officials and business and thought leaders for:

    "Making A Comeback: A Return to Jobs & Growth"

    This day-long conference will take place Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC from 8:00am to 4:00pm EDT.

  • Media Advisory:
    Democracy In Retreat Worldwide

    Biannual Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index shows decline in quality of democracy, little linkage between economic stabilization and social inclusion

    WASHINGTON, DC / GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (March 22, 2012) - Many countries are increasingly curtailing political freedom, and setbacks are especially dramatic in Latin America and southeastern and eastern Europe. At the same time, socio-economic conditions in more than half of the world’s less-developed nations remain inadequate or even catastrophic despite successes in overcoming the global financial and economic crisis.

    These are among the conclusions of the 2012 Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index (BTI), which examines the progress of 128 developing and transition countries towards democracy and a market economy.

  • Media Advisory:
    The Credit Rating Agency of the Future

    Bertelsmann Foundation aims for non-profit institution that uses transparent criteria

    WASHINGTON, DC/GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (December 9, 2011) – In light of recent, wide-ranging criticism of international credit ratings agencies, the Bertelsmann Foundation will lead a group of international experts to develop a model for a non-profit institution that uses transparent criteria to rate sovereign debt.

  • Media Advisory:
    USA Lags in All Areas of Social Justice

    World's largest economy ranks 27th among 31 OECD nations

    WASHINGTON, DC/GUETERSLOH, GERMANY (October 27, 2011) - The United States may still lead the world in the size of its economy, but it performs poorly in a host of areas that make for a socially just country.

  • Media Advisory:
    The UNFCCC as Matchmaker

    Bertelsmann Foundation report urges secretariat to assume expanded role to combat climate change

    WASHINGTON, DC (September 27, 2011) - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, the proposed Technology Executive Committee (TEC), and the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN) should each take on new roles matchmaking public-private partnerships to combat climate change, according to a recent report by the Bertelsmann Foundation.

  • Media Advisory:
    Global Futures - Megatrends Project Wins Rockefeller Foundation Grant

    WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2010) - The Bertelsmann Foundation has secured a two-year grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to expand the futurechallenges.org web platform, which provides high-quality dialogue about global issues facing policymakers, civic society and the media. The platform is the venue for publicizing the results of the Bertelsmann Foundation's Megatrends Meta-Analysis (MeMA) project and discussing them with a global audience.