LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Berggruen Institute, whose objective is enduring impact on the progress and direction of societies around the world, has received a $500 million USD endowment from the Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust on the occasion of the Institute’s fifth anniversary. The endowment will allow the Institute to expand its activities in bringing together the world’s best minds to address the most consequential political and social issues of the current era. It also will be used to fund the Institute’s first permanent headquarters in Los Angeles.
“In the age of technology and globalization, analysis of our systems and the beliefs on which they are founded is critical,” explained Nicolas Berggruen, Chairman of the Berggruen Institute. “This endowment will allow the Institute to continue to invest in the development of new ideas that shape society and the way we live in the 21st Century.”
Since its inception, the Institute has hosted its activities in many of the world’s major cities, working from a “virtual” headquarters with operations and staff distributed over several locations. Founded in Los Angeles, the Institute is celebrating its fifth anniversary. “We decided to settle in Los Angeles because it is a truly innovative and global city, open to fresh thinking and new ideas,” Berggruen continued.
The work of the Institute has been focused on developing new ideas in political governance and society and deepening cross-cultural understanding. Its important initiatives include:
- The 21st Century Council, which focuses on global governance and the US-China relationship, is composed of Nobel laureates, founders and CEOs of global technology companies and former heads of state. The Council has built a critical bridge between China and the rest of the world through its “Understanding China” conference series with President Xi Jinping and that country’s top leadership.
- Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Center: The Center supports and promotes the study of different philosophical traditions across disciplines and cultures to develop cross-cultural thinking. The Center has launched fellowship programs at several universities, including Stanford University, Harvard University, NYU, Oxford University and Tsinghua University and Peking University in Beijing and CSDS in India. A key element of its work is the annual $1 million Berggruen Philosophy Prize which will recognize the work and accomplishments of great thinkers who are shaping the current era. It will first be awarded in 2016.
- The town hall series in Europe hosted by the Institute’s Council for the Future of Europe has created a unique forum where the continent’s leaders can meet with younger Europeans to address the crises facing the region.
- The “Think Long Committee for California” in 2011 published a comprehensive set of reforms for the state in the “Blueprint for California” and sponsored legislation to create a rainy day fund and overhaul the citizen ballot initiative for the first time in more than eight decades.
- In partnership with the Huffington Post, the Institute launched The WorldPost, a leading, online, global publication that brings together thought leaders from around the world on a daily platform for sharing and cross-pollinating new ideas.
For further information about the Berggruen Institute or to register with the Institute’s online media center, please visit www.berggruen.org
For further information about the Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust please visit www.nicolasberggruentrust.com
