Press Release 155/2011

The Global Question – Subject of the Colloquium Fundamentale

Series of Presentations in the Winter Semester Focuses on Positive and Negative Aspects of Globalization
Von Hoffnung und großer Illusion: Was bedeutet Globaliserung?  (Foto: kallejipp/photocase.com)
Hope or big illusion: What does globalization mean? (Photo: kallejipp/photocase.com)

Money and goods are rushed around the Earth at increasing speed. Politics, economics, and culture can be understood globally only. The question of how societies deal with globalization will be in the focus of the Colloquium Fundamentale “Zukunft für alle? Veränderungsdynamiken in der globalen Gegenwart“ (Future for everybody? Change dynamics in the global presence) that will be organized by ZAK | Center for Applied for Cultural Science and Studium Generale in the coming winter semester at KIT. The opening presentation on Thursday, November 03, 2011, 18.00 hrs, will be given by Professor Manfred Wiebelt from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Globalization – hardly any other subject is supported or refused so passionately. Meanwhile, this term stands for a rapid economic and also increasingly social and societal development. Problems that were addressed locally in the past can now be understood and solved in global contexts only. Is globalization an opportunity, does it create more prosperity? Or does it further enhance unequal distribution processes? May we refer to a global culture or do we have to agree with globalization critics, who speak of a “westernization” of all cultures?

The Colloquium Fundamentale of ZAK encourages critical reflection of the globalized world. The series of presentations will cover various aspects of globalization, such as its impact on work, education, and economic participation. It will not only focus on previous developments, but also on their impacts and future processes.

The opening presentation on Thursday, November 03, entitled “Wohlstand für alle? Ungleichheiten im Globalisierungsprozess“ (Prosperity for everybody? Inequalities of the globalization process) by Professor Manfred Wiebelt from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy will give a survey of pros and cons of globalization. Advantages of the process shall be outlined and, at the same time, realistic options and risks will be weighed. Wiebelt’s focus will lie on developing countries. 

The Colloquium Fundamentale will take place every 14 days on Thursdays, 18.00 hrs, at the NTI-Hörsaal, building 30.10, Engesserstraße 5. Admission will be free. The Colloquium is organized in cooperation with the ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, as a series of presentations accompanying the exhibition of “The Global Contemporary. Kunstwelten nach 1989“ (Art Worlds after 1989). The Colloquium Fundamentale will be completed by a podium discussion on Thursday, February 02, 2012 at ZKM.

Other dates and lecturers:

November 17, 2011: Europe between national interests and global responsibility. Podium discussion in cooperation with the Europa-Union Karlsruhe with:
Professor Stefanie Bailer, ETH Zurich
Professor Dirk Wentzel, Pforzheim University / Jean Monnet Chair in European Economic Relations, and other guests from politics and society

December 01, 2011: Culture for everybody? Arts in the global presence. Professor Kaspar Maase, Tübingen University

December 15, 2011: Knowledge for everybody? Education systems subject to change. Professor Wassilios E. Fthenakis, Free University of Bozen

January 12, 2012: Participation for everybody?
Globalization and social movements. Professor Roland Roth, University of Magdeburg-Stendal

January 26, 2012: Health for everybody or: “Global Health” – A Utopia? Professor Wolfgang Hein, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies / Leibniz Institute for Global and Regional Studies, Hamburg

February 02, 2012: Water for everybody?
Between economic good and human right. Podium discussion at ZKM with:
Professor Eibe Riedel, University of Mannheim / University of Geneva
Professor Margit Bussmann, University of Greifswald
Professor Ulrich Menzel, TU Braunschweig
Danuta Sacher, Director of terre des hommes Germany

More information: www.zak.kit.edu

 

 

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.

ak, 27.10.2011
Contact:


Monika Landgraf
Chief Communication Officer
Head of Corporate Communications
Chief Press Officer
Phone: +49 721 608-41150
Fax: +49 721 608-43658
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Contact for this press release:

Anna Moosmüller
ZAK | Zentrum für Angewandte Kulturwissenschaft und Studium Generale
Phone: +49 721 608-48027
Fax: +49 0721 608-44811
E-Mail:anna moosmueller does-not-exist.kit edu


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