Shaping the future: Lecture series on climate responsibility starts in Frankfurt!

Shaping the future: Lecture series on climate responsibility starts in Frankfurt!

In the current discussion about global warming, the challenges and the need for a paradigm shift in various areas of society are at the top of the agenda. Climate change is perceived as a central challenge of our time, especially with regard to potential climatic tipping points and the associated risks. One need described is to make future developments easier to plan in order to effectively counteract the effects of global warming. The discussions go beyond purely technical aspects and include, in particular, responsibility towards future generations. This emerges from information from the University of Frankfurt, where a series of lectures called “Shaping the Future – Between Climate Change, Technology and Social Responsibility” is planned. This will take place on May 8, 2025 with a lecture by Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst at the Giersch Museum at Goethe University.

The series will critically examine the interactions between social processes and social norms in the context of climate change and technologization. Key issues include ethical, political and legal implications related to technological progress. The opening lecture by Rainer Forst entitled “Sustainability and Justice” will provide a fundamental framework for the following discussions. In addition to Forst, the lecture series also includes other renowned guest speakers whose contributions serve to shed light on different perspectives on the challenges of climate change. Upcoming lectures include:

• 22. Mai: „Planetary Crime – zum Ende des Politischen in der Polykrise“ von Prof. Dr. Christoph Burchard.
• 12. Juni: „Gleichheit in der Zeit? Intergenerationelle Perspektiven des Rechts“ von Prof. Dr. Gabriele Britz.
• 10. Juli: „Ökologische Gesellschaftskritik, aber wie?“ von Dr. des. Felix Kämper.

All events begin at 6 p.m. at the MGGU – Museum Giersch in Frankfurt am Main and enjoy free public admission. An additional highlight is the exhibition “FIXING FUTURES: Planetary Futures between Speculation and Control”, which will be shown from April 5th to August 31st, 2025. This exhibition illustrates how societies deal with uncertainties and future designs by viewing futures as dynamic and open fields that need to be renegotiated.

Interdisciplinarity as the key to sustainability

An important aspect when dealing with the topic of sustainability is the promotion of an interdisciplinary approach. In the winter semester 2021/22, a module on the topic of sustainability was introduced in the optional area at the Ruhr University Bochum. This is organized by teachers from various faculties and aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability. Prof. Dr. Dorothee Meer from the German Institute emphasizes that the high level of interest in this topic in previous semesters has supported this initiative.

• Die Ringvorlesung umfasst mehrere thematische Blöcke, darunter:
• Einführung
• Zukunft und Technik
• Ethische, juristische und diskursive Aspekte des Klimawandels und der Nachhaltigkeit
• Institutionelles Handeln und Nachhaltigkeit

Social movements such as the youth movement “Fridays for Future” are discussed, as are the challenges of teacher training in the context of future designs. A look at the content of the lecture series shows an impressive spectrum of topics, which extends to the ethical questions of the Climate Protection Act and encourages critical reflection. The lecture series is also open to interested guests and takes place on Thursday afternoons.

The combination of scientific lectures, interdisciplinary approaches and active citizen participation forms an essential basis for overcoming the challenges of climate change in the long term and shaping a sustainable future. The comprehensive commitment of the universities and the numerous organized events are a step in the right direction to anchor sustainable development goals in society.

Further information and contact person for the lecture series is Anke Harms, who works at the “Normative Orders” Research Center at Goethe University.