Germany at a Turning Point: Political and Economic Challenges in Historical Perspective
Joint Initiative in German and European Studies (JIGES) at the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies (CEES)
On September 24-25, 2024, scholars from the University of Toronto and the University of Cambridge gathered for the second joint conference hosted by UofT’s Joint Initiative in German and European Studies (JIGES) at the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies (CEES) and Cambridge’s DAAD Hub. This year's conference focused on the theme "Germany at a Turning Point: Political and Economic Challenges in Historical Perspective," addressing key questions of how Germany is navigating a complex set of political, cultural, and economic challenges.
The conference brought together scholars from various social sciences and humanities disciplines to discuss a broad range of contemporary and historical topics relating to German politics and society. The first day opened with Hans-Michael Heinig addressing Germany's constitutional struggles with democratic legitimacy and representation against the backdrop of the country’s recent electoral reform. Phil Triadafilopoulos followed with an exploration of integration policy and the role of religious instruction for Muslim children in an increasingly multicultural society. In the context of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Trevelyan Wing examined the historical and current developments of Germany's energy transition (Energiewende). Jean-Michel Johnston provided historical insights on sovereignty and international law by reflecting on the experiences of small German states in the 19th century. The day concluded with Alexander Reisenbichler discussing Germany’s current housing affordability crisis and the policy responses from various political parties.
Day two began with Doris Bergen’s examination of how the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks—and the broader regional conflict it unleashed—relate to Germany's memory culture and Holocaust remembrance. Marcus Böick then addressed the ongoing economic disparities between East and West Germany since reunification. Randall Hansen discussed the role of human trafficking in key sectors of the German economy, and Melina Mandelbaum wrapped up the conference with an analysis of Germany’s innovation strategy. Throughout the two days, the speakers offered a nuanced picture of a nation grappling with past and current challenges while attempting to shape a resilient future.
