Introducing our panel topics and Keynote speaker

Now that we are well into the Winter term, the conference is really starting to come together. I’m happy to announce that Dr. Birgit Mahnkopf, Professor of European Politics at the Berlin School of Economics and Law Berlin, will be participating in the symposium as our keynote speaker. Dr. Mahnkopf will be speaking during our morning panel on Germany's role in the ongoing European debt crisis. Further information on her research interests and publications can be found HERE.

 

Here is the list of panel topics that will be explored in detail during Germany Symposium 2012: Prospects and Challenges for Contemporary Germany:

Morning Panel 

The Euro Crisis: Germany to the Rescue? 

The morning session is about Germany’s role in the Euro crisis, which has been a highly discussed topic for several months now. For this reason, it would be interesting to bring this as the main topic for the morning session so that the many opinions on Germany’s role in the Euro crisis could be brought to the table with the possibility of shedding some light on current opinions. 

Afternoon Panels 

Promising or Risky Environmental Policies?
The first topic is on Germany’s environmental policies and initiatives.  The topic came about in order to bring the much attention needed to Germany’s initiatives towards renewable energy.  Following the Fukushima disaster, Germany has made a commitment to shut down all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. In the current world it is difficult to escape from talks related to pollution, nuclear waste and the emission of greenhouse gases.  This is why it is important to bring awareness to the actions people can take to prevent any further damage to the environment.

Germany’s Transformed Multilateralism: European Security and the Transatlantic Relationship 

The second topic is on Germany’s foreign policy. We felt that it would be interesting to try and focus on Germany and its transatlantic relationship, its policy towards and inside the EU, as well as Germany’s transformed multilateralism. Some have argued that Germany’s foreign policy revolves around its status as a civilian power, and this has ultimately had an impact on Germany’s actions towards NATO and the EU.

Constitutional Challenges Post 9/11: Security Measures and Human Dignity  

The third topic is on Germany’s constitution.  This was inspired by Germany’s constitution and how it balances national security, and liberty. Germany’s ability to face terrorist threats without undermining liberty has motivated us to study this in further detail. For instance, the Aviation Security Act, which would allow armed forces to shoot down a hijacked aircraft, was nullified by Germany’s highest court since it was not compatible with the Basic Law.  It would be fascinating to compare Canada and Germany’s constitution in order to have a more complete understanding of how both countries react to threats and security issues dealing with preserving human dignity.

The Education System: A Tool for Immigrant Integration or Social Division?  

The final topic looks into Germany’s education system, and how it functions as an integration tool for immigrants, leading to a discussion of the challenges affiliated with integrating immigrants. These challenges range from educational aspirations in immigrant families in comparison to those born in Germany to the different education tracks that lead to distinct qualifications. Germany’s school system is highly stratified and the futures of students are determined at an early stage. There will be speakers who will be able to comment on Canada’s education system and the challenges and prospects for integrating immigrants, as well as Germany’s system to compare the two.

 
More information on panelists and other guest speakers will be posted over the next few weeks.