Public conference: How can solidarity succeed?
“We are living in turbulent times,” Nils Goldschmidt explains. The economist leads the Ethics Council’s working group preparing for the annual conference, together with Cornelia Betsch and Gregor Thüsing. “Geopolitical crises, migration movements and populism, but also the rising cost of living, cities in transition and demographic change are putting solidarity under pressure. We therefore want to ask: How much solidarity is possible under these conditions – and how can it succeed?”
At the conference, the German Ethics Council wants to discuss with experts and the audience what solidarity means and what conditions must be met for people to act in solidarity. “On an individual level it could be about: What motivates people to act in solidarity – and what prevents them from doing so?,” psychologist Cornelia Betsch adds. “We will discuss the role that trust plays and how social media and digital platforms influence solidarity behaviour.”
In addition, the challenges associated with the success of solidarity in various areas of life will be analysed: How can solidarity be achieved across national and cultural boundaries? What responsibilities do we have towards future generations and other living beings? How can solidarity be promoted by mobility and urban planning? How can we achieve that people not only live side by side, but truly together?
“When it comes to intergenerational justice, we want to take a closer look at our healthcare and pension systems,” legal scholar Gregor Thüsing says. “How can a fair balance of interests between the generations be found despite limited funds? What responsibility do younger people have for older ones – and vice versa? And where does solidarity perhaps reach its limits?”
Finally, the conditions for successful solidarity are to be discussed based on the example of the migration society – at societal, communal and individual level. Various artistic contributions and a hands-on exhibition by volunteers on the topic of “Solidarity in everyday life” will make solidarity a tangible experience during the conference.
About the conference
The annual conference is open to the public and free of charge. It is held in German, interpretation into English is not provided. Registration is required to participate on site. The live stream on the internet can be followed without registration. For the hearing-impaired, simultaneous written translations in German and sign language interpretation are available on site and online.
Annual conference of the German Ethics Council
“Successful Solidarity”
Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities,
Leibniz-Saal, Markgrafenstraße 38, 10117 Berlin
www.ethikrat.org/live
Further information, the programme and the conference folder (in German only) can be found at www.ethikrat.org/veranstaltungen/tagungen/gelingende-solidaritaet.