Leuphana Conference Week with Jean Asselborn: Resilient democracy?
2024-02-22 Lüneburg. How can we renew democracy in times of escalating crises? Leuphana University Lüneburg is inviting students and interested parties from the region to the "Resilient Democracy" conference week from February 28 to March 1. This year, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's long-standing Foreign Minister, will open the conference with a look at the future of Europe. Democracy activist Marina Weisband will explore the question of how emancipatory achievements can be defended under the pressure of right-wing populist movements and digital disinformation.
For around 1,200 students, the conference week marks the end of their first semester at Leuphana. Together with renowned guests from all over Germany, they will discuss democratic politics of the future in the face of authoritarian threats. Among others, democracy researcher Wolfgang Merkel and citizens' council pioneer Claudine Nierth will explore what makes democracy resilient. Founder Mina Saidze, net activist Markus Beckedahl and social entrepreneur Manouchehr Shamsrizi will discuss how artificial intelligence could change politics.
"With the question of a resilient democracy, we are shedding light on two strategic perspectives," reports conference chair Sven Prien-Ribcke: "On the one hand, it's about the resilience of democracy, about cohesion and stability. On the other hand, we are also concerned with the promise of open societies to appropriate the future in a visionary way." Peace and conflict researcher Ursula Schröder and the former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Hans-Peter Bartels, will discuss the question of how much suitability for war we need for our security. While FDP politician Konstantin Kuhle sheds light on hybrid attacks, transformation researcher Maja Göpel explores the practice of trust. Philosopher Amani Abuzahra and MEP Erik Marquardt will explore humane paths of migration policy.
One of the highlights of this year's conference week will be the ceremonial presentation of the UNESCO Chair "Higher Education for Sustainable Development" to Leuphana Professor Daniel Fischer. UNESCO Chairs are awarded for outstanding research and teaching in UNESCO's fields of work. Gerd Michelsen, the first Chairholder and co-founder of the Faculty of Sustainability, will use this occasion to outline Leuphana's development into a sustainable university.
The organizers are looking forward to welcoming visitors from Lüneburg and the Hamburg metropolitan region. Prospective students who would like to gain an impression of studying at Leuphana are also very welcome. Parallel to the conference week, a Bachelor Info Day will be held to provide information about the study programs at Leuphana College.
An overview of the numerous program items can be found on the Internet at: www.leuphana.de/konferenzwoche
Prospective students can find out more about the Bachelor Info Day here:
www.leuphana.de/infotag
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
We cordially invite you to the conference week starting February 28, 2024 on the main campus of Leuphana, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg. We cordially invite you to a press briefing with former Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and University President Sascha Spoun as well as Hana Kunst from the student conference team on February 28, 2024 at 12:00 noon in room C 40.147 in the Central Building.
Please register by February 26 at henning.zuehlsdorff@leuphana.de to facilitate our planning. If you require further material for reporting or would like to arrange interviews with participants in advance, please let us know.