4th Lecture Series

January 17, 2012, Munich

The lecture series on “Social Innovation” continued in the fall of 2011. Once again, interesting representatives of business, academia, and the third sector presented their perspectives on the responsible development of society. The lecture series aims to make visible innovations that create added value for society and to initiate a dialogue about the aims and mechanisms of such approaches.  ... more

4th Fireside Talk on Corporate Citizenship

February 9, 2012, Munich

Learning by Corporate Volunteering

“Corporate Volunteering” was the subject of the fourth Fireside Talk on Corporate Citizenship at the Munich office of the BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt. Featuring Prof. Dr. Thomas Maak, Professor for Leadership and Responsibility at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, and Peter Kusterer, Director Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs at IBM Deutschland, the discussion in front of some 50 guests from business and society was moderated by  ... more

4th Summit Lecture

February 15, 2012, Munich

Improving Educational Opportunities, Promoting Talents - How can we develop our human resources to increase competitiveness?

“Our education system is extremely diverse!,” observed Hans-Werner Sinn, President of the Ifo Institute, as he welcomed the approx. 80 guests from politics, business, academia, and the third sector to the 4th Summit Lecture – an opinion shared by Christoph Anz, Director of Education Policy at BMW Group.  ... more

Launch of the Neukölln Citizens’ Organization

January 25, 2012, Berlin

After the successful setup of independent citizens’ organizations in Berlin-Schöneweide and Berlin-Wedding/Moabit, Berlin-Neukölln has also created the conditions for a functioning civic organization based on the community organizing model. With its members including some 40 Neukölln groups, including migrant organizations, school development associations, neighborhood centers and church communities, and co-funded by local businesses,  ... more

Panel Discussions on the U.S. Elections

February 27 and 28, 2012, Munich and Berlin

What will be the consequences for Europe?

As it enters the 2012 election year, the United States grapples with major economic, political and social challenges. As a result of the global crisis, the U.S. economy faces a continuing recession, unemployment is at almost 10 percent, a previously unimagined level, national debt is over 100% of GDP, way above the debt level of the European Union  ... more

4. International Diplomats Programme

March 6, 2012, Berlin

The 4th International Diplomats Programme (IDP) invites young diplomats from Arab, South Asian and Southeast Asian countries to experience Germany from a variety of perspectives. The opening event of the 4th IDP will take place at the Federal Foreign Office on March 6, 2012. Until the end of November, the young diplomats will participate in field trips and discussions with high-ranking representatives of the political, business and social commun  ... more

Münchner Freiheiten – Talks on Social, Economic, and Cultural Issues

March 7, 2012, Munich

Do We Still Need Heimat? – Christian Stückl

Laptop and lederhosen – for many, this image of Bavaria has turned into a cliché. Oktoberfest costume and Alpine idyll – a multi-billion euro business? Bavarian cultural and religious traditions – only for show? One may be tempted to think so. Or are they right who think that “Heimat” is alive and well, in keeping with the times, and more than ever a much-needed antidote to the homogenizing tendencies of globalization?  ... more

2nd Social Business Meets Angel

March 20, 2012, Munich

Having an idea is one thing – implementing it is something else entirely. Frequently, social businesses do not have the networks, counseling, and financial support to advance their projects. Fortunately, there are experienced “angels” that can provide start-up assistance. This is the goal of the Social Business Meets Angel event, which took place for the second time in March  ... more

Young Leaders Awards

Winners 2012

The winners of the 2011 Young Leaders Awards are determined! Learn more about the three projects and get to know the winners on the page of the Young Leaders Awards.  ... more

10. Europe Asia Young Leaders Forum

March 29 - April 1, 2012, Jakarta

Creating Opportunities for Economic Growth and Inclusion

Unnoticed by Europe, Indonesia has established itself as an economic power in Asia. For three years, its economy has been growing by six percent a year, achieving growth rates that come close to those of China and India. In spite of these positive trends, many problems remain unresolved: a poor education system and a burgeoning bureaucracy hinder employment and entrepreneurship. As a result, youth unemployment is high  ... more

Panel Discussion "Collaborative Democracy?"

April 18, 2012, Berlin

What Foundations Should, and Should Not Do, in the Political Sphere

Foundations have the resources to instigate social changes. In Germany, however, the political sector continues to be seen as the main initiator of social transformations. The Vodafone Foundation and the BMW Foundation therefore wanted to examine the question of to what extent foundations can and should exert influence on the political sector.  ... more

2nd Academy Day on “Foundations and the Democratic Public”

April 19, 2012, Berlin

“Media Policy and Nonprofit Support of Quality Journalism”

How can foundations support and promote quality journalism? Initially discussed at the 2011 Berlin Foundations Week, this question has since been taken up in the context of so-called Academy Days. The BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt, the Hamburger Stiftung für Wirtschaftsethik (Hamburg Foundation for Business Ethics) and the VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation) in 2011 initiated a discussion group on “Foundations and the Democratic Public”  ... more

Panel Discussion on Social Policy 2012/1

April 26, 2012, Munich

“The Young Old: How We Want to Live Tomorrow”

Many studies paint a frightening picture of demographic change. According to these studies, the number of old people, particularly very old people who need special state and social care, is increasing steadily, which could lead to the breakdown of our social security systems.  ... more