Voluntariness On Tour – Our Project on the “Neuererwesen” in Jena

On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, Elena from the subproject “Voluntariness and Dictatorship: Voluntary Participation in the Neuererwesen of the German Democratic Republic” is invited to give a talk at the Historical Institute at Jena University. We are looking forward to her presentation and to hear about some new aspects of her fascinating research!

For her PHD-project, Elena is investigating voluntary participation among “Neuerer” – members of the GDR’s workplace inventor and suggestion scheme known as the “Neuerer- und Rationalisatorenbewegung”. She foregrounds very exciting case studies and her project deals intensively with individual actors and their challenges within socialist working environments in the GDR. For the Contemporary History Colloquium at the Historical Institute of the University of Jena, Elena will present her project with the lecture “Freiwilligkeit” als Norm, Ressource und Diskursstrategie in der Neuererbewegung der DDR.“

The colloquium takes place every Wednesday from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. in the seminar room at Zwätzengasse 4 in Jena, and those interested can follow Elena’s lecture on site on July 6. The organizers point out that it is possible to switch to a zoom version if necessary. Please check online.

Poster "Woche des Neuerers/Planmäßig Rationalisieren"

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What Else Is New?

Symposium „Die sozialistische Welt und der Globale Süden“ – With a Lecture by Carsta Langner

The 23rd International Symposium of the Ettersberg Foundation “Die sozialistische Welt und der Globale Süden” will be held at the Reithaus Weimar on November 7 and 8, 2025. It is dedicated to “interdependencies between the Socialist World and the Global South”, collecting and presenting a variety of approaches and topics. Carsta Langner from our research group will be giving a lecture on November 7.

Workshop on “Moral History” – Evening Talk and Panel Discussion

On December 4 and 5, 2025, a workshop will be focusing on “moral history.” An evening lecture on Thursday will be held on the topic “Ökonomien der Moral.” At a panel discussion on Friday morning, we will address the question: “The Historian as Reflexive Moral Subject. New Challenge or New Normal?”