Staying together in times of change - shaping structural change socially

All interested parties are invited to the Central Lecture Hall Building, on the BTU's central campus in Cottbus, Audimax 2. Registration is not required. Admission is free.

The speakers are:Marco Bedrich, Managing Director of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) in South Brandenburg Dr. Anika Noack, Head of the Transformation Department at the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development Dagmar Schmidt , Chairwoman of the AssociationLausitzer Perspektiven Prof. Dr. Alexandra Retkowski, Headof theSocial Services for Structurally Weak Regions at the BTU

1st lecture - Marco Bedrich Krasse Lausitz only with krasse work! The region is noticeably changing. The coal phase-out and the associated transformation is a great opportunity for Lusatia. However, its acceptance is closely linked to the actual prospects of the local people. Colorful images and warm words alone will not be enough to make structural change a success. The decisive factor will be the working conditions and prospects offered locally. Only with good salaries and decent conditions for employees will we achieve acceptance for the region's transformation. Lusatia urgently needs to catch up in the competition for skilled workers.

2nd lecture - Dr. Anika Noack Shaping transformation together. What can civil society contribute? Civil society is systemically relevant when it comes to maintaining social cohesion in the current upheaval in the coalfields. Its strength is seen as an important indicator of the lignite phase-out regions' ability to transform, develop and even innovate. Older people also have a special role to play here, as they have knowledge of how to cope with such processes due to previous transformation experiences. Shaping transformation together therefore also means activating civil society, valuing its perceptions and involving it in decision-making.

3rd lecture - Dagmar Schmidt Who involves whom? Lausitzer Perspektiven is a non-profit association. It is committed to successful structural development and citizen participation. Together we look for solutions in practice. For example, through local sustainable gardening projects, exchanges with Polish coal phase-out regions and network building in the "Citizens' Region of Lusatia." The board of directors is the driving force behind Lusatian Perspectives. Dagmar Schmidt is chairwoman of the association and lives in Raddusch, where she and others have created their home and a project space.

4th lecture - Prof. Dr. Alexandra Retkowski Everything is changing - also work and life in Lusatia?! New working time models, lifelong learning and the compatibility of work and family. These and similar topics are rarely the subject of the debate about structural change in Lusatia, but they are nevertheless central to shaping it in a socially sustainable way. It is therefore a question of the power of innovation, even beyond product development, to make Lusatia fit for the future.

Chair of the evening lecture: Dr. Johannes Staemmler, BTU, Head of the Structural Change Department

Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Location: Audimax 2 at the BTU's central campus, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 3, 03046 Cottbus, Germany.

About the lecture series "Open BTU" From April 19, 2023 to June 14, 2023, the public lecture series "Open BTU" offers interesting insights into exciting fields of science. In the summer semester of 2023, in addition to the social focus on structural change in Lusatia, the topics will include artificial intelligence, European educational cooperation and water in the region.

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Center for Continuing Academic Education supports lifelong learning and promotes the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. In doing so, the BTU cooperates with other universities and institutions. After each lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and exchange with the speakers. Interested parties are cordially invited to participate in the wide range of events.