GHI hosts Closing Event of DAAD 25th Anniversary Conference

On December 10, 2016, the GHI welcomed the participants of the 25th anniversary conference of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Together with GHI Director Simone Lässig, Randall Hansen (University of Toronto), Charles Maier (Harvard University), Huang Liaoyu (Peking University), Krzysztof Ruchniewicz (University of Wroclaw) and Michael Werner (CIERA) discussed the topic "Coalescence or Collapse - Challenges for German & European Studies in the 21st Century." The discussion was moderated by Ulrich Grothus, Deputy General Secretary of the DAAD. The participants agreed that current developments in global and national politics — especially the new influence of populist movements as well as new and lasting crises — will pose a number of challenges to Europe and especially Germany. Germany will need to step up and address these developments by intensifying international responsibility in close cooperation with its European partners. In the field of German and European Studies this new environment, according to the panelists, should lead to a stronger focus on ‘enlightenment’ and historic reflection.