Democracy cannot be taken for granted. The rise of the far right, social polarization, and attacks on open, democratic society pose major challenges for politics, civil society, and academia. The Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (IDZ) in Jena examines these developments, investigates their causes and consequences, and presents research findings to inform public discourse.
This evening, you’ll gain insights into the current research being conducted at the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society. In short keynote presentations, researchers will share what they’re studying and what insights this yields for Thuringia and beyond. You will learn how the influence of the far right affects society and democracy, what the investigation into the NSU case reveals, how research on far-right extremism provides insights for policymakers and civil society, and how democratic culture and civic participation—especially in rural areas—can be strengthened.
The program will be complemented by a keynote presentation by Pia Boller from the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena on youth work with far-right youths in Jena-Winzerla during the 1990s.
At the information booth, you can talk with the researchers, ask questions, and explore handouts, studies, and other informational materials.