In Focus

Irish want to stay in EU

92 per cent of the Irish want their country to remain in the European Union (EU). Only five per cent are in favour of leaving the EU, even though in the middle of June a majority of the Irish electorate voted against the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon. These are the results of a survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Both in the four largest EU member states and in Austria and Poland, two states with pronounced eurosceptical tendencies, only a minority believes that their countries should leave the EU. In Germany, for example, only 12 per cent are of this opinion.

Topic Info

Survey: 92 per cent are against Ireland leaving the European Union. The majority of the British are also in favour of remaining in the EU.

Survey about EU membership in selected countries (236 KB)

News

Guy Verhofstadt, Former Belgian Prime Minister.

Gütersloh - 14/11/2008

Guy Verhofstadt: The Financial Crisis - Three Ways Out for Europe

In an effort to overcome the current financial and economic crisis, Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has identified three concrete steps toward a readjustment of European financial policy. In an essay for Bertelsmann Stiftung, he proposes an initially joint European financial arrangement embedded in an international network.

Washington, DC - 14/11/2008

Think Bigger: G20

The G20 Washington summit that begins today should expand its focus beyond the current financial crisis to include international financial reform, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation. Reform should include giving non-traditional centers of economic power greater influence in the international financial system. The Financial Stability Forum requires modification, emerging economies need greater voting weight at institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and the G8 format should be replaced by the G20. These steps would lay the foundation for a post-Bretton Woods system.

Laurie Dundon, Bertelsmann Foundation, Congressman Russ Carnahan, Annette Heuser, Bertelsmann Foundation, Ambassador John Bruton, European Commission Delegation to the US, and Ambassador Thomas Pickering, former US Under Secretary of State, (v. l.).

Washington/Gütersloh - 14/11/2008

A European Briefing Book for Barack Obama

The Washington, DC-based Bertelsmann Foundation presented its Trans-Atlantic Briefing Book for the Obama administration on Thursday, 13 November 2008 in the US capital. The Briefing Book is a policy blueprint that offers strategies for foreign-policy cooperation between Europeans and the new American leadership during their first consultations in early 2009.

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Project portraits

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

The business world impacts society-and vice versa-more strongly than a purely economic perspective would suggest. The Bertelsmann Stiftung intends to help companies develop their self-awareness as corporate citizens in keeping with the times by assisting them in developing CSR initiatives and putting them into action.

Future of Civil Society

If a society is to thrive, its citizens must be willing to get involved. Whether through service provision or communal action, civic engagement makes it possible for people to take part in a variety of ways. Through its projects, the Bertelsmann Stiftung wants to promote social participation and the further development of the nonprofit sector.

"Neue Stimmen" International Singing Competition

Music is a global language, one that builds bridges of understanding. The "Neue Stimmen" International Singing Competition and Master Class are meant to recognize and promote outstanding young talent in the world of opera. Initiated by Liz Mohn initiated in 1987, the competition has grown from a European singing contest into one of the world's most important venues for spotting gifted new performers.

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Catalogue of focus areas

Politics Modern GovernmentFederalismDemocracy and IntegrationEuropeInternational politicsDemographic Change	Society Demographic Change Democracy and IntegrationCommunities and RegionsIntercultural dialogueCorporate Social ResponsibilityThe future of civil societyReligion and Society
Economy Germany's economic and social situationThe future of employmentCorporate cultureCorporate Social ResponsibilityDemographic Change	Education SchoolLibrariesHigher education
Health Good healthcareHealthcare system	Culture Promoting new talent in the world of operaIntercultural dialogue

Blog: German-Israeli Young Leaders Exchange 2008

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spotlight europe

Lessons from the Treaty Fatigue

Ireland will have a second referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. There is now a distinct probability that the Irish will vote "Yes" after all. But what happens then? European policymakers, in the light of the forthcoming European elections, should first take to heart five lessons distilled from the debate about the treaty.

#2008/13: Lessons from the Treaty Fatigue (330 KB)

Publication

The Radical Right in Europe: An Overview

The spread of extremist and xenophobic attitudes and the proliferation of right-wing political movements are challenges confronting all of Europe. This book provides a conceptual framework for comparing right-wing radicalism in Europe and offers country-specific data on the right-wing radicalism and extremism.

Cultivating Corporate Innovation

"Innovation," has become one of the most used terms in corporate practice and management theory. Companies hardly have an alternative to constantly fostering innovation if they want to survive in the long run.