Lecture: "Polarization in society - How cohesion in society is faring"

Prof. Dr. Ute Fischer, lecturer at the Faculty of Applied Social Studies at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, will be addressing the issue of polarization in society and giving a lecture at the invitation of the Zonta Club Dortmund-Phoenix in the Stadtkirche St. Petri. Interested guests are cordially invited to join in the discussion.

There is often talk of a division in society. But what is the actual state of social cohesion, should we be worried or is a certain degree of division part and parcel of a vibrant democracy? And what happens when we don't talk to each other? As was the case back then, when it became difficult to talk to each other during the coronavirus pandemic and a rift often ran through families and circles of friends. The article takes these phenomena as a starting point to reflect on social cohesion. It will also look at the role of civic engagement, the opportunities available to each individual and the challenges of state policy.

Local elections are being held in Dortmund on September 14. Local politics plays a central role when it comes to shaping local life. People who have a vision of living together and want to shape society are involved in the political committees. However, this society seems to be falling apart, and not just since the coronavirus pandemic. Bullying and violence are replacing the exchange of arguments; protest movements are dominated by radical minorities. Prof. Dr. Ute Fischer gets to the bottom of this polarization of society. She asks what the state of social cohesion is. In doing so, she will present key aspects of her research project (since 03/2021) on the topic: "Civil society - polarization through crises". The project deals with the drifting apart of social groups and the phenomenon that more and more citizens are losing trust in the state and the media as well as their 'ties to the community'. What does this mean for social cohesion? What political reforms and approaches for new dialogs are needed?

Lecture and discussion will characterize this evening.

Admission is free.