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 right-wing extremism provides insights for policymakers and civil society, and how democratic culture and civic participation—especially in rural areas—can be strengthened.
The program is complemented by two keynote presentations focusing on the 1990s in Jena: Pia Boller from Ernst Abbe University will speak about the (lack of) victim protection in youth work with far-right youths in Jena-Winzerla. Leonie Dellen, the current Rosenthal Fellow of the City of Jena, will address right-wing violence in Jena and the question of how it was perceived and contextualized at the time.
At the information booth, you can talk with the researchers, ask questions, and explore handouts, studies, and other informational materials.