FOCUS

The Forum for International Cultural Relationes places current research topics in a broader context. In a dialogue between science, culture, politics and the media, it provides food for thought and attempts to link topics, questions and opinions. The main topics include cultural relations in Europe, migration, art and cultural exchange, human rights.

Videos

Decolonising the Internet – How AI Shapes Our World

Artificial intelligence, algorithms and bots are shaping our view of the world. International experts discuss the internet: how can it be decolonised? What stories are being told? And who is telling these stories? 

Potential Risks of Artificial Intelligence in the Industrial Production Process

The trends towards Industry 4.0, implications, potentials and risks of artificial intelligence such as data protection, business ethics and autonomy of AI systems. Lecture by Marc Kujath, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation. 

Social Media and Elections

People around the world use social media to freely express their opinions. Others misuse it for misinformation and hate campaigns. So social media has the potential to contribute to free and fair elections. How can the attempt to undermine democracy and elections be stopped?

Jewish Life in Germany and France

Representatives of French Jewish communities discuss the life of Jewish communities in Germany, their goals and their integration into everyday life with experts from German Jewish communities (in German).

1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany and France

In 2021, Jews were known to have lived in Germany for 1700 years. Andrei Kovacs gave a lecture in Toulouse on Jewish life in Germany and the challenges in the face of increasing anti-Semitism in Europe. (in French).

Circular Economy

During the European Union's Europe Week in Ecuador, experts and diplomats discussed the circular economy. What are the challenges for a functioning circular economy? What is the role of youth in the paradigm shift? (In Spanish).

Europe From the Outside 

Climate change is the biggest and most all-encompassing global crisis of our time. It stands for the misuse of fossil fuels, the exploitation of natural livelihoods, declining biodiversity and irreversibly damaged habitats. Climate change is also a geopolitical challenge: it fuels socio-political instability, creates migratory pressures, exacerbates global inequality, endangers human rights and puts peace in the world at risk. Those economies that contribute most to the crisis are least affected by the consequences. And countries that are only now developing economically want to use resources in the same way as already industrialised countries. With its Green Deal, the European Union claims a pioneering role in climate protection. Does it have solutions ready for structural inequality and the unequal distribution of social, economic and political opportunities? 
In three webtalks, experts discussed the cornerstones of climate ethics, concepts for climate justice and the challenges and perspectives of migration induced by the climate crisis.

Moving Beyond Western Discourses: Frameworks for Climate Ethics

With writer and activist Bayo Akomolafe and Wolfgang Kaleck, European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).

Concepts for Climate Justice: How Can We Empower the Most Vulnerable?

With diplomat and politician María Fernanda Espinosa, artist and filmmaker Barbara Marcel and Sushmina Baidya, fellow of the CrossCulture programme.

Migration and Climate Crisis: Challenges and Perspective

With strategy advisor and author Parag Khanna, human rights and environmental activist Kumi Naidoo, and ifa CrossCulture alumnas and activists Fatema Tuz Johoor and Olfa Jelassi.