Background:

“We choose hope over fear”, Barack Obama once stated, “and we see the future as something we can shape for the better.” What does this mean considering the recent surge of populist movements and ideas in the U.S. and Germany? Many of the newly elected leaders raise doubts about the democratic process and reassert questions about national identity and mainstream culture. To what extent to these ideas – some might even refer to them as ideologies – challenge the concept of a truly diverse societies? Is this the world we have been hoping for? What can we do to change it? This project brings American and German students together to think about these burning issues, find new solutions, and get involved.

Aims and Guiding Topics:

1. The history of immigration: Both countries faced a great influx of immigrants. Why did people come to our countries and from where? And how is immigration discussed now? We will share our family biographies and learn how large-scale events influenced them. We will compare our historic narratives and see to what extent immigrants contributed to them.

2. The challenges of democracy: Who feels represented and who feels left behind? Who speaks for the “silent majority”? Whose voice is not heard? We will look at how democracy works in the U.S. and Germany. We will speak to politicians. In a simulation game, we will develop our own vision of what democracy should be like.

3. Dialogue and diversity: How do we handle diversity in our countries? How can we counter discrimination and exclusion? In practical exercises we will learn how to establish true dialogue in our environment. In field visits to NGOs and youth projects we will learn how to have an impact on current events.

4. Coherence and integration: What can “we” as individuals and in groups do to shape the future for the better? Which are the next steps to create change? In the last step, we will use the seminar experience to develop follow-up activities that can be realized in our home communities and countries.

Knowledge transfer:    

This is not just about a two-week interdisciplinary seminar. The impact of this project will thus go far beyond the duration of the actual seminar program.   

Cooperation partners: Arab American Development Corporation, Philadelphia, and West Chester University, Pennsylvania, U.S.A