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Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesSociolinguistic Lab

October 2nd, 2019 | 19:00 h, University of Cologne, Tagungsraum in building 106 (ground floor), Universitätsstr. 37, 50931 Cologne

Panel Discussion - Diversity and Minorities

The question of how to deal with diversity and minorities in Germany is a socio-political issue that is discussed in a heated, emotional and often highly polarised manner. Public discourse is often more about extremes, empty words and panicmongering than about a realistic inventory of our society. In this context, religious pluralism, multilingualism and multi-ethnicity have long been an integral part of our society - but they are often not appreciated.

The panel discussion with prominent journalists and professors from a migrant background will examine the significance and content of a multi-religious, multilingual and multi-ethnic self-image as a positive resource. It seeks ways for a future-oriented, fairer and better coexistence for all.

This happens especially with a view to challenges in educational institutions and media and the desire to react to existing problems in a thoughtful and constructive way instead of fomenting panic and reinforcing dichotomies. On this basis, demands are formulated for politics and each individual.

Panelists from Journalism & Science:

  • Golineh Atai is editor and journalist for the ARD show MONITOR. She is known for her investigative reports as Russia correspondent. In 2019 she published her book ‚Die Wahrheit ist der Feind. Warum Russland so anders ist‘.
  • Katajun Amirpur is Professor for Islamic Studies. Her latest publication is ‘Reformislam. Der Kampf für Demokratie, Freiheit und Menschenrechte’.
  • Aria Adli is Professor for Linguistics and Head of the Sociolinguistic Lab at the University of Cologne. He is host to the Sociolinguistic Cocktail Lecture Series. He researches the relationship between lifestyle and language style from a comparative cultural perspective.
  • The discussion is moderated by Joachim Frank, chief correspondent of Kölner Stadtanzeiger. His key aspects of expertise include domestic policy, ethics of media and communication, religions and world views.

The panel discussion is embedded in the Cologne Summer School “Language, Diversity, and Minorities”, Sept. 30th-Oct. 6th for advanced students from the University of Cologne and it’s international partner universities. The patron of the event is Prof. Dr. Monika Schausten, Dean of the Faculty for Arts and Humanities.

Admission to the event is free of charge. Registrate here.