idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The refugee crisis is dominating the headlines. Which answers can scientists contribute to the debate?
International guests with valuable contributions to refugee debate
The refugee crisis is dominating the headlines. Which answers can scientists contribute to the debate? The focus at the 2nd Witten Conference on Institutional Change at Witten/Herdecke University on 6 and 7 November was on “Migration, Institutions, and Institutional Change”. The Witten Institute for Institutional Change (WIWA) hosted the event in collaboration with Forschungskolleg Siegen and ASM (initiative for social market economy).
WIWA director Prof. Dr. Joachim Zweynert points out that social scientists use the term institutions to describe the formal and informal rules of social interaction: “If we say that migration requires new rules then this also refers to the ways in which we consider migration.”
Witten/Herdecke University announced “flight and migration” as the central theme for this winter semester. University members started a refugee initiative, and the topic is addressed in numerous seminars and public lectures. One highlight in this context was the conference at the last weekend when students, international scientists and many interested individuals from a variety of disciplines met to share their perspective on the migration debate and to present research findings for debate. The main focus was on changes required in politics and society to meet the challenges involved.
A panel discussion opened the event. Participants addressed migration-related issues from various positions – from the legal perspective of visa laws or economic chances for the German labour market up to distribution. The approaches presented in this lively debate were as diverse as participants’ background and countries of origin. Subsequently addressed thematic blocks included the role of Islam and the ethical and moral principles involved in migration.
Dr. Fiona Adamson from the renowned School of Oriental and African Studies (London) concluded the first day of the meeting with a presentation on “Globalizing politics: migration, diaspora and institutional change”.
The second day started with a regional focus on South East Asia, Mexico, Morocco and Kenia, followed by presentations on “Turkey, migration and institutions” and “individual freedom”. The conference concluded with Dr. Holger Kolb (expert panel of German foundations on integration and migration) who compared German, Canadian and Spanish labour migration policies.
After the meeting, participants were invited to visit an exhibition in Bochum on the history of football in the Ruhr region where migrant sports clubs and players with a migration background have always played an important role.
The conference was another excellent opportunity to meet interesting individuals from all over the world at Witten/Herdecke University. The conference was a great success in terms of exchange, inspiring debate and networking. According to Prof. Dr. Zweynert the meeting demonstrated once again that complex issues such as flight and migration may be resolved only if experts engage in interdisciplinary debate. He sees the successful meeting as confirmation that the Witten programmes in philosophy, politics and economics are on the right track.
More information is available from Prof. Dr. Joachim Zweynert, joachim.zweynert@uni-wh.de (mobile number available from: phone 02302/926-805/849).
WIWA homepage: www.uni-wh.de/wiwa
About us:
Ever since its foundation, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) has been a pioneer in Germany’s higher education landscape. A model university with currently ca. 2.200 students of health, economics and culture, the UW/H stands for reforms of the traditional Alma Mater. Conveyance of subject-related knowledge is always closely combined with value orientation and personal growth.
Witten works – in research, student education and society.
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