Across the globe, democracy is under increasing pressure. Not only in Germany, but across nearly all regions of the European Union, skepticism towards public institutions, democratic decision-making processes, and political parties is on the rise. Fundamental questions about the resilience of our political systems – as well as key policy areas such as migration, climate and environmental policy and social redistribution – are increasingly debated in emotional and confrontational ways, particularly by actors opposing democratic norms. This poses a significant challenge to the capacity for constructive public discourse in both politics and society. How can we better understand patterns of attitudes, polarisation, urban–rural divides, levels of democratic satisfaction and democratic resilience? What evidence-based recommendations can be developed to strengthen democracy? Can democracy within local communities be shaped in a participatory manner and through new, inclusive approaches in such a way that it contributes to strengthening democratic structures in the EU? How can people involved in local participatory initiatives be supported in developing their own approaches to and forms of political participation, and how can we address, in particular, those contexts where participation has hitherto been difficult or inaccessible?

How effective are initiatives in the area of cultures of remembrance across Europe’s regions, and how can such formats be evaluated with regard to their contribution to democratic education? At the same time, historical revisionism, reinterpretations, and anti-democratic developments are on the rise. In this context, it is crucial to identify best practice examples from research and education and to develop evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers in politics and public administration. By linking local identities with the European community of values, strategies can be developed to strengthen democratic resilience, fostering both multi-perspectivity and inclusion.

The current rise in anti-democratic attitudes in Germany and across Europe is accompanied by an increase in antisemitism and various forms of extremism. How can connections and dynamics between hostility towards democracy, antisemitism, and extremism be analysed theoretically and empirically? How are offline and online phenomena interlinked? The perception and impact of antisemitic content in digital spaces – particularly on young adults – need more effective strategies to strengthen democratic education and academic discourse across analogue, digital and hybrid contexts.

Agenda

09:00–09:30: Networking Coffee 

09:30–09:40:Welcome: 

Timon Gremmels, Minister of Science and Research, Culture and the Arts 

09:40–10:00: Input Speech: Prof. Dr. Hans Vorländer, Chair of the Programme Advisory Board “Strengthening Democracy Research Hessen” 

10:00: Start of Conference 

10:00–10:50

Panel I: Supporting Democracy in Local Context

• Katja Reppel, Directorate-General Research and Innovation, Head of Unit Democracy, 
  Equality   & Culture 
• Prof. Dr. Isabelle Borucki, Marburg University
• Prof. Dr. Mario Rund, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

11:00–11:50 

Panel II: Culture of Remembrance & Participation – Local Identities and the European Community of Values

• Georg Häusler Direktor für Kulturpolitik, Generaldirektion Bildung, Jugend, Sport und Kultur
• Prof. Dr. Sascha Feuchert, Justus Liebig University Gießen 
• PD Dr. Patrick Eser, University of Kassel

12:00–12:50

Panel III: Research on Antisemitism and Extremism and Democratic Public Spheres

• Nacira Boulehouat (tbc), Director, Democracy, Security and Technological Innovation, European Commission, Secretariat-General of the Commission
• Prof. Dr. Meron Mendel, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
• Prof. Dr. Stephan Lessenich, Goethe University Frankfurt 

12:50: Concluding Remarks: Timon Gremmels, Minister of Science and Research, Culture and the Arts

13:00: Light Lunch 

Please register here.