Anti-Semitism, right-wing extremism, more co-determination in society - a new institute at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences is intensively dealing with the topic of democratic culture.
Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - At the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, research and teaching on the subject of democracy are being expanded. The newly founded Institute for Democratic Culture is picking up speed, with an official kick-off event taking place on Tuesday. "The Institute for Democratic Culture builds on the democratic legacy of 1989 and investigates how local people can work together to ensure more participation and codetermination in a diverse society," said Katrin Reimer-Gordinskaya of the German Press Agency. The professor for child development, education and socialization will lead the institute together with the sociologist Matthias Quent.
"Democracy is in danger," said extremism researcher Quent. "We want to take a close look at the socio-political developments in Saxony-Anhalt. One focus will be on rural areas and the question of how social change can be shaped fairly." Democracy is more than a state. "Participation, acceptance of diversity and change and the ability of democrats to defend themselves against dangers are also part of the democratic culture."
In recent years, Quent has dealt a lot with the topic of right-wing extremism. This area should also be covered at the new institute. A large part of the AfD electorate shares right-wing extremist attitudes, said the sociologist. "Parts of the spectrum are becoming more and more radical. That will play a role in our analyses." In addition, it should also be about post-migrant perspectives and racism as well as Jewish life and anti-Semitism.
It is planned that the institute for democratic culture will act interdisciplinary. The courses should be open to all students. The Ministry of Science supports projects of the institute between 2022 and 2025 with a total of 1.4 million euros in funding, as the house of Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) announced on request.
