Forum Siegen launches - focus on commitment and solidarity

The lecture series "Forum Siegen" starts the winter semester 2025/26 on October 30, 2025 with a new program.

Democracy thrives on participation - but what about the participation of citizens in current times? From dwindling solidarity in the migration society to inequality in volunteering and new forms of political participation: the challenges for democratic participation are diverse and complex. Under the motto "Civil society under pressure", the lecture series "Forum Siegen" invites interested citizens to nine exciting lectures with changing experts in the winter semester 2025/26. The series starts on October 30 and ends with a panel discussion on February 19, 2026.

All events are free of charge. Citizens are cordially invited to all lectures followed by a discussion. Prior registration is not necessary.

Forum Siegen - the program for the winter semester 2025/26

Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 8 pm - Kulturhaus Lÿz (Aula)
Prof. Dr. Frank Adloff (University of Hamburg)
"Civil Society - Concept, History and Practice"
The concept of civil society is as multifaceted as it is topical: multifaceted, often used in a diffuse way and yet full of scope for action. In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Frank Adloff sorts out central approaches to the concept and thus lays the foundation for the following contributions to the series "Civil Society under Pressure".
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 10 a.m. - Kulturhaus Lÿz (Aula)
Ceremonial opening of the Wednesday Academy
Prof. Dr. Peter Schallenberg (Schools of Theology Paderborn)
"Virtues in Democracy: On the Political Relevance of Christianity"
In times of declining church membership, the question arises as to what political contribution Christianity can be expected to make to democracy. Prof. Dr. Peter Schallenberg from the Schools of Theology in Paderborn addresses this question and argues for an idealistic view of humanity.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 6 pm (location: t.b.a)
Cooperation with the SFB 1472 "Transformations of the Popular", funded by the DFG
"Publishing and publishing policy from 1965 - 1975: The Hamburg lawyer and publisher Kurt Groenewold in conversation"
The former lawyer and publisher Kurt Groenewold provides insights into his activities in the turbulent 1960s and 70s, focusing primarily on aspects of the publishing industry.
Thursday, 27 November 2025 | 8 pm - Kulturhaus Lÿz (Kleines Theater)
Dr. Eva Fleischmann (Institute for Social Research, Frankfurt am Main)
"Zehn Jahre nach dem 'Willkommen': What remains of solidarity in the migration society?"
Chancellor Angela Merkel's phrase "We can do it" became a symbol of the years that followed. Now, a decade later, sociologist Dr. Eva Fleischmann looks at past and current practices of solidarity in the context of migration and takes stock.
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 8 pm - Kulturhaus Lÿz (Aula)
Prof. Dr. Chantal Munsch (University of Siegen)
"Engagement in an unequal society: Thresholds that make access to engagement more difficult"
Everyone seems to be talking about volunteering - but forms of engagement are often permeated by structures of inequality. Prof. Dr. Chantal Munsch, contributor to the Federal Government's Fourth Engagement Report, highlights these aspects of inequality and discrimination.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 8 pm - Stadtbibliothek Siegen
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Tine Haubner (University of Bielefeld)
"A new social contract of caring: Voluntary engagement in community capitalism "
Multiple crises are creating new challenges for public policy. In the context of the pandemic and in the care sector, possible privatization raises problems. Junior Professor Dr. Tine Haubner explains why the rise of "community capitalism" is essentially based on unpaid work.
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 8 pm - Kulturhaus Lÿz (auditorium)
Peter Richter (IG Metall Siegen)
"Industrieregion Siegen-Wittgenstein unter Druck?!"
Trade unions are also currently facing challenges. Nevertheless, in the case of the Thyssenkrupp plant in Kreuztal, IG Metall managed to avert compulsory redundancies for the time being. Peter Richter provides insights into the current challenges facing the industrial region and trade union involvement in these contexts.
Thursday, 29 January 2026 | 8 p.m. - Kulturhaus Lÿz (auditorium)
Jana Sämann (University of Siegen)
"Neutrality as a fighting concept: Strategies for the discursive delegitimization of political education"
Discourses on the "neutrality" of civil society organizations gained considerable momentum in the context of a minor interpellation by the CDU on such "neutrality". Actors in political education are also affected by this and are increasingly confronted with such demands. Jana Sämann researches these calls and responses in the field of political education and provides insights into her current investigations.
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5.45 pm - US-S (Foyer)
Panel discussion in cooperation with the SFB 1472 "Transformations of the Popular"
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Sigrid Baringhorst (University of Siegen), Prof. Dr. Chantal Munsch (University of Siegen), Fran Osrečki (Berlin School of Economics and Law), Henning Witzel (Netzwerk Junge Bürgermeister*innen); Moderator: Maren Lehmann (Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen / SFB 1472 Media of Cooperation)
"Citizens' councils, net politics, local democracy: When does participation deliver what it promises?"
Getting people interested in political participation is associated with many different challenges - which is why new or unconventional forms of participation are attracting increasing attention. In the panel discussion, the experts will discuss the expectations, opportunities and disappointments of political participation.