Conference Study: Trying Times – Rethinking Social Cohesion

Summary

Societies everywhere are faced with profound changes. The megatrends of globalization, digitalization and demographic change are affecting many areas of life and pose several challenges to social cohesion: What is the fate of solidarity in a globalized economy? How do algorithms and social media influence how we live together? How can we shape the future of coexistence in an increasingly diverse society?

Addressing these and other issues, the study provides a set of focus questions at the end of each chapter that are designed to promote public debate on how to shape cohesion as we move forward.

The study is the product of a close cooperation with our partner, the Bertelsmann Stiftung. It introduces the theme of their international conference „Trying Times – Rethinking Social Cohesion“ which took place in Berlin on September 4-6, 2019, highlights key issues and invites us all to reflect on them.

Authors

Paul Jürgensen

Senior Policy Advisor

As a Senior Policy Advisor, Paul Jürgensen oversees projects on representation and participation, democratic innovations and visions, and dealing with right-wing populism and extremism. Prior to this position he completed the trainee program at Das Progressive Zentrum. He is co-author of the book "Schleichend an die Macht" (Dietz Verlag, 2020) and the study "Brücken bauen für die Demokratie" (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 2020).

Sophie Pornschlegel

Policy Fellow

Sophie Pornschlegel is a Policy Fellow at Das Progressive Zentrum and currently works as Director of Studies with the Brussels think-tank Europe Jacques Delors.

Content

Summary
Authors

Paul Jürgensen

Senior Policy Advisor

Sophie Pornschlegel

Policy Fellow