Voluntariness On Tour – Our Project on the “Neuererwesen” in Jena

On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, Elena from the subproject “Voluntariness and Dictatorship: Voluntary Participation in the Neuererwesen of the German Democratic Republic” is invited to give a talk at the Historical Institute at Jena University. We are looking forward to her presentation and to hear about some new aspects of her fascinating research!

For her PHD-project, Elena is investigating voluntary participation among “Neuerer” – members of the GDR’s workplace inventor and suggestion scheme known as the “Neuerer- und Rationalisatorenbewegung”. She foregrounds very exciting case studies and her project deals intensively with individual actors and their challenges within socialist working environments in the GDR. For the Contemporary History Colloquium at the Historical Institute of the University of Jena, Elena will present her project with the lecture “Freiwilligkeit” als Norm, Ressource und Diskursstrategie in der Neuererbewegung der DDR.“

The colloquium takes place every Wednesday from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. in the seminar room at Zwätzengasse 4 in Jena, and those interested can follow Elena’s lecture on site on July 6. The organizers point out that it is possible to switch to a zoom version if necessary. Please check online.

Poster "Woche des Neuerers/Planmäßig Rationalisieren"

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What Else Is New?

Conference Report on the Workshop “Voluntariness, Women, and Development”

New conference report online!
On July 4 and 5, 2024, Maria Framke, working on the research project “Hidden Histories: Women in Rural Development Programs in India, c. 1920-1966” and affiliated with our group, organized the workshop “Voluntariness, Women and Development in Late Colonial and Postcolonial Societies.” Read more here…

Workshop “From Contested Ownership to (In)Voluntary Returns”

On October 24 & 25, 2024, we are happy to present an international workshop in co-operation with colleagues and research projects from Erfurt and Jena. Diverse topics, lectures and a panel discussion by guests from Africa and Europe will share interdisciplinary perspectives on the postcolonial fight for restitution and repatriation.

Research Day Voluntariness

On June 3, 2024, we invite fellow researchers to discuss voluntariness as focus of their research and compare goals and challenges of their projects. The research day will start at 10 am with a casual welcome into a full-day program, completed by an evening lecture by philosopher Jule Govrin.