Carl Bertelsmann Prize 2001 –
Shaping Change – Strategies of Transformation

by Sabine Donner

Every year the Bertelsmann Foundation awards its Carl Bertelsmann Prize to innovative and exemplary solutions to socio-political problems. One special feature of the award is its international orientation and its comparative approach.

Under the motto "Shaping Change – Strategies of Transformation” the Carl Bertelsmann Prize 2001 is dedicated to one of the most demanding and impressive challenges to any state or society: the peaceful transformation of an authoritarian system towards democracy and market economy. Its realization is not only a question of political will, it also requires overcoming substantial political, economical and socio-cultural obstacles. In addition, a considerable amount of resources and thorough strategic planning are necessary. The Carl Bertelsmann Prize 2001 wants to revive the debate about successful strategies of development and transformation. In a benchmarking process, it honors management achievements which set a good example and are worth being imitated by other countries.

In cooperation with the Center for Applied Policy Research in Munich, the Bertelsmann Foundation has compiled a list of criteria that allow a qualitative comparison of processes of development and transformation as a whole. Taking into account the different circumstances of outset and implementation, the research did not merely focus on socio-economic and political data, but also considered the length of the "way” covered and examined the individual management achievements. Extensive studies covered 59 countries worldwide. As an interim research result three states in the category related to exceptional development achievements (Mauritius, Mali and Bolivia) and six states in the category of successful system transformation (South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) were identified. The detailed country reports were supplemented by an intensive on-the spot research. A commission of high-ranking experts supervised the process of research.

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Index: Podium

Language Learning, Tolerance and Human Rights
by K. Hugh Starkey

Sub Group "Tolerance Reports"
by Valerie Morgan

Sub Group "Language and Democracy"
by Michael Seberich

Sub Group "Evaluation"
by Katrin Uhl

Portrait
Participa: a Chilean NGO

Case Study: Citizenship and Education in 28 Countries
reviewed by Katrin Uhl

"Linguistic Genocide in Education"
reviewed by Constanze Schellhaas

Carl Bertelsmann Prize
by Sabine Donner