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Berggruen Institute

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Berggruen Institute
Formation2010; 15 years ago (2010)
Founders
46-5602320
Registration no.C3671781
Location
Revenue$16,635,720[1] (2022)
Expenses$18,889,571[1] (2022)
Endowment$1 billion[2] (2024)
Staff30[3] (2022)
Websiteberggruen.org

The Berggruen Institute is a think tank based in Los Angeles.

History

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Berggruen Institute was founded in 2010 by Nicolas Berggruen and Nathan Gardels to research and publish on topics related to governance, economics, geopolitics, and technology.[4]

In 2014, the Institute established The WorldPost, an online publication in a joint initiative with HuffPost and later The Washington Post.[5]

In 2015, the Institute created its Philosophy and Culture Center to research the philosophical foundations of global political systems.[6][7] In the same year, the Institute established the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture and a fellowship program to sponsor scholars to do research at major universities in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States for two years.[6]

In 2025, the Institute launched Berggruen Press to publish books that expand on novel ideas introduced in essays published in Noema Magazine.[8]

The Institute's board and advisers have included Eric Schmidt, Reid Hoffman, Arianna Huffington, Evan Spiegel, Stephan Schwarzman, Ernesto Zedillo, Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and Patrick Soon-Shiong.[9]

Berggruen Institute councils and committees

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21st Century Council

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The 21st Century Council brings together former heads of state, global thinkers and entrepreneurs from across cultural and political boundaries to address the problems arising from power shifts from Western-dominated globalization to a multipolar world. The Council is devoted to global governance reform with the aim to "build on a convergence of interests in order to create a community of interests."[10] The council is chaired by former president of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo.[11]

Council on the Future of Europe

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The Council on the Future of Europe is a committee engaged in research, debate and advocacy to move forward the project of a united Europe.[12] It advocates not only a fiscal and political union within Europe but also the engagement of European citizens. It supports "town hall" meetings[13] and seminars to provide a forum for Council members and European leaders to bring their ideas to the public.

In May 2013, the council held a "town hall" meeting endorsed by the French President Francois Hollande, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and Italian labor minister. The council and Germany's labor minister, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed an investment, training, and jobs program for Europe. The program eventually became a part of European policy in January 2015 when European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proposed the 315 billion euro Investment Plan.[14]

The Think Long Committee for California

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The Think Long Committee for California promotes a comprehensive approach for improving California's government. It has involved a politically bi-partisan board from the outset. In November 2011, the Committee published its report, A Blueprint to Renew California.[15] The report recommended the devolution of power to local governments and school districts, reform of the democracy initiative process to ensure greater consideration of measures proposed by the public, establishment of a "rainy day" fund for economic downturns, a body of long-term oversight to balance the short-term, special-interest character of the elected legislature, and modernization of California's tax system.[16]

In 2014, the committee helped promote SB 1253, "The Ballot Initiative Transparency Act", eventually approved on September 28, 2014.[17] It increase the opportunities for public comment, and allows lawmakers and proponents to make changes before ballot initiatives go to the voters. The committee also supported Proposition 2 in 2014, "The Rainy Day Fund", which sets aside a small percentage of revenue each year to pay the state's debt and safeguard against economic downturns.[18]

Berggruen Institute programs and awards

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The Berggruen Institute organizes its work around four primary programs: Renovating Democracy, Universal Capitalism, The Planetary, and Future Humans.[19]

In addition to these programs, the institute runs a fellowship program that sponsors residential scholars to study at academic institutions globally. The institute also established the Berggruen Prize in 2016, an annual US$1 million award given to an individual for major contributions in the fields of philosophy and culture.[20]

Future Humans

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The Future Humans program of Berggruen Institute was founded in 2022 and it is led by anthropologist Claire Isabel Webb.[21] The program investigates the histories and possible futures of life, mind and outer space, probing how emerging biological, technological and extraterrestrial intelligences could redefine what it means to be human.[21][22]

The Planetary

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The Planetary program of Berggruen Institute is co-led by historian Nils Gilman and political scientist Jonathan S. Blake.[23] The program identifies climate change, pandemics, and related crises as inadequately addressed by existing nation-state institutions so it proposes a new governance structure called "planetary subsidiarity."[23] Gilman and Blake elaborated on this concept in their 2024 book, Children of a Modest Star, suggesting multi-level governance as essential to protecting Earth's ecosystems and supporting human and non-human well-being.[24][25]

Berggruen Fellowship

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The Berggruen Fellowship was established in 2015 to sponsor scholars to do research at major universities in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States for two years.[6] Initially, it was a joint initiative between Berggruen Institute and the University of Southern California's Dornsife Center on Science, Technology and Public Life.[26] Later, the fellowship was expanded to include Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics and other universities.[27]

Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture

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The Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture is an annual award established in 2016 by the Berggruen Institute. It awards US$1 million to thinkers whose ideas have shaped human self-understanding and advancement. An independent jury selects the laureates each year.[28]

Recipients include philosopher Charles Taylor for modern identity[29]; Onora O'Neill for ethics and international justice[30]; Martha C. Nussbaum for emotion in moral and political philosophy[31]; Ruth Bader Ginsburg for gender equality in law[32]; Paul Farmer for public health and human rights[33]; Peter Singer for effective altruism[34]; Kojin Karatani for interdisciplinary scholarship[35], and Patricia Hill Collins for intersectionality and social justice.[36]

Berggruen Prize Essay Competition

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In 2024, the Berggruen Institute established the Berggruen Prize Essay Competition as an annual contest to complement the existing Philosophy & Culture Prize.[37] The contest accepts essays in both English and Chinese, with a prize of US$25,000 awarded to the winner in each language category.[38]

Campuses

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Berggruen China Center

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The Berggruen China Center is an interdisciplinary academic research institute at Peking University.[39][40] Berggruen China Center was founded on December 19, 2018, as the Berggruen Research Center, following a joint initiative between the Berggruen Institute and Peking University, in which the Berggruen Institute provided $25.5 million in funding in June 2018.[41] It runs a fellowship program and hosts symposia and conferences.[41][42]

Scholars' Campus

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Scholars' Campus, also known as Monteverdi, is a planned 447-acre headquarters and residential research center for the Berggruen Institute, located west of the I-405 freeway and northeast of the Getty Center in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains.[43][44] Berggruen acquired the land in 2014 for $15 million.[45]

It is designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, with Gensler serving as executive architect.[44]

Publications

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Noema Magazine

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Noema Magazine was originally founded as The WorldPost in 2014 as a joint initiative with HuffPost.[46][47] In 2017, The Washington Post began publishing The WorldPost's content, featuring global perspectives through op-eds, features, and videos.[47]

In 2020, The WorldPost was renamed Noema Magazine and launched a print edition in addition to its digital content.[46] Noema covers a range of subjects, including philosophy, governance, geopolitics, economics, technology, and culture.[47] As of 2025, Nathan Gardels serves as its editor-in-chief.[48][49]

Media

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Studio B

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Studio B, also known as Berggruen Salon, is the media division of the Berggruen Institute. It is directed by Alex Gardels and Nathalia Ramos An, along with Nick Goddard who serves as producer and head of development.[50] The Studio produces content focused on the intersection of technology, philosophy, and culture. Its projects include a salon series featuring conversations between Eric Schmidt and Ashton Kutcher, and Yuval Noah Harari and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.[50]

Studio B also works with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on programming related to changes in cinema and produces the Berggruen Institute's podcast, Futurology.[50]

In June 2024, the studio hosted a private discussion on artificial intelligence in filmmaking with Ashton Kutcher and Eric Schmidt.[51] The event drew backlash after Kutcher praised OpenAI's video-generation tool, Sora, suggesting it could replace traditional film crews and stunt performers.[51][52] Critics condemned the remarks as undermining creative labor, which sparked a wider controversy regarding the promotion of AI in Hollywood.[51]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Nonprofit Explorer: Berggruen Institute". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Karstadt: „Das Karstadt-Abenteuer. Es war dumm von mir, ein persönlicher Fehler" - WELT". DIE WELT.
  3. ^ Steinberger, Michael (April 6, 2022). "How the 'Homeless Billionaire' Became a Philosopher King". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "On his Santa Monica mountaintop, a billionaire envisions lofty thoughts on politics and culture". Los Angeles Times. April 30, 2016.
  5. ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com.
  6. ^ a b c "Berggruen Institute Adds Cultural Focus, $1 Million Annual Prize". September 16, 2015.
  7. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/arts/nicolas-berggruen-wants-to-bridge-the-east-west-gap.html
  8. ^ Gardels, Nathan (March 7, 2025). "Announcing The Berggruen Press" – via www.noemamag.com. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ Steinberger, Michael (April 6, 2022). "How the 'Homeless Billionaire' Became a Philosopher King". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Gardels, Nathan (December 7, 2011). "China's Zheng Bijian on "The Global Convergence of Interests"". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  11. ^ "Ernesto Zedillo to Chair 21st Century Council of Berggruen Institute on Governance". GlobeNewswire (Press release). October 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  12. ^ ""Europe is the solution, not the problem"". Jacques Delors Institute. September 9, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "Council for the Future of Europe". Berggruen Institute. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  14. ^ "Juncker Plan exceeds original €315 billion investment target". European Commission. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Gardels, Nathan; Berggruen, Nicolas (January 20, 2012). "A Blueprint to Renew California". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  16. ^ "Think Long California – Our Work". Berggruen Institute. January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  17. ^ "Governor Brown Signs Ballot Reform Measure". State of California. September 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. ^ Megerian, Chris (November 4, 2014). "Californians OK Proposition 2, on rainy day fund". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  19. ^ "Our Work". Berggruen Institute. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  20. ^ Cleary, Skye (October 14, 2016). "#IdeasMatter: Interview with Nicolas Berggruen | Blog of the APA". Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  21. ^ a b https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/13/opinion/nasa-europa-clipper-extraterrestrials.html
  22. ^ "Berggruen Institute". www.berggruen.org.
  23. ^ a b "SWJ El Centro Book Review – Children of a Modest Star: Planetary Thinking for an Age of Crises | Small Wars Journal". archive.smallwarsjournal.com.
  24. ^ "Review of "Children of a Modest Star" by Nils Gilman and Jonathan S. Blake".
  25. ^ https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781503637856
  26. ^ "Berggruen Institute announces 2021-22 fellows". Philanthropy News Digest (PND).
  27. ^ Reyes ’19, Sebastian (June 5, 2017). "At Harvard's Safra Center, a student intern learns about ethics, and the evolving issues around them". Harvard Gazette.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/books/canadian-philosopher-wins-1-million-prize.html
  29. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (October 4, 2016). "Canadian Philosopher Wins $1 Million Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  30. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (October 3, 2017). "Onora O'Neill Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  31. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (October 30, 2018). "Martha Nussbaum Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  32. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (October 23, 2019). "Ruth Bader Ginsburg Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  33. ^ Carmel, Julie (December 16, 2020). "Paul Farmer Is Awarded the $1 Million Berggruen Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  34. ^ Gharib, Malaka. "Why Peter Singer — The 'Drowning Child' Ethicist — Is Giving Away His $1 Million Prize". NPR. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  35. ^ Bilefsky, Dan (December 8, 2022). "Kojin Karatani Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  36. ^ Ross, Janell (October 25, 2023). "The Winner of a $1 Million Philosophy Prize Sees a Silver Lining to Ideas Getting Attacked". Time Magazine. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  37. ^ Gardels, Nathan (February 23, 2024). "Announcing The Berggruen Prize Essay Competition" – via www.noemamag.com. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  38. ^ Weinberg, Justin (March 6, 2024). "Berggruen Launches New Philosophy Essay Competition - Daily Nous". dailynous.com.
  39. ^ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com.
  40. ^ Song, Bing (July 21, 2021). Song, Bing (ed.). Intelligence and Wisdom: Artificial Intelligence Meets Chinese Philosophers. Springer Nature. pp. 1–14. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-2309-7_1 – via Springer Link.
  41. ^ a b "中国哲学如何看待人工智能？儒释道立场有别丨专访宋冰". m.bjnews.com.cn.
  42. ^ Candid. "Berggruen Institute Invests $25.5 Million for Beijing Research Center". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  43. ^ https://lamag.com/news/billionaire-think-tank
  44. ^ a b Saarinen, Eero (August 23, 2017). "Herzog & de Meuron reveal plans for Berggruen Institute site north of the Getty Center". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/magazine/nicolas-berggruen-philosophy.html
  46. ^ a b "A new journal establishes its identity". TLS. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  47. ^ a b c "Noema a new magazine: ideas and culture for a transforming world". Malta Independent. July 31, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  48. ^ "Noema aims to help academics, policy makers think differently". WTOP News. October 7, 2021.
  49. ^ "Michael Barone".
  50. ^ a b c Gardner, Chris (July 14, 2025). "Daniel Kwan and VR Pioneer Jaron Lanier to Discuss Storytelling Versus Algorithm at Studio B Salon".
  51. ^ a b c Shanfeld, Ethan (June 6, 2024). "Ashton Kutcher Says Soon 'You'll Be Able to Render a Whole Movie' Using AI: 'The Bar Is Going to Have to Go Way Up' in Hollywood".
  52. ^ Berger, Chloe. "Ashton Kutcher sides with the enemy over actor and writer colleagues in AI debate: 'I can just generate and then watch my own movie'". Fortune.
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