Emerging Ties
Essays on Transatlantic Engagement in the Developing World
Emerging Ties is a reflection of the conversations and debates that spanned the Bertelsmann Foundation Fellowship (BFF) in 2022. Our nine fellows and guest author lay out the ways in which the EU and the U.S. can further engage with developing countries and encourage positive global change.
BFF is a hybrid experience that convenes over a period of five months. Fellows are provided with two in-person exchanges, one on each side of the Atlantic. The exchanges are supplemented with a two-month virtual program in which they meet once a week with experts related to the year’s topic. A final publication is written by the fellows themselves and published at the end of the fellowship.
We hope you enjoy reading the publication!


Chloe Laird
Manager, Transatlantic Relations
Chloe Laird joined the Bertelsmann Foundation in June of 2021 as Manager of Transatlantic Relations. She is specifically tasked with managing the Bertelsmann Foundation Fellowship (formerly CEPI).
A recent graduate of Georgetown University’s Master of German and European Studies in the School of Foreign Service, her prior research heavily focused on issues related to Transatlantic security.
She received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Relations at the University of Virginia. Prior to joining Bertelsmann, she interned with the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington DC as well as the Centre des études, des réserves et des partenariats in Paris, France.
Originally from France, she speaks fluent French and, having spent some time in Spain abroad during her undergraduate experience, she also speaks Spanish.