Democracy Education at the University

11/04/2025

GSiK is offering the "Democracy Lab" for the first time in the winter semester 25/26. Students and employees are invited to explore democratic values and how they can be communicated.

Modern democracies are challenged both nationally and globally. We are experiencing polarisation in political and social debates, disenchantment with politics and news, as well as increasingly strengthened extreme fringes of the political spectrum. Democracies are - as we often hear these days - in crisis. Unsurprisingly, this is followed by calls for democracy education.

But what is democracy education? How can democratic values be taught? How can democracy education succeed at university?

"GSiK (Global Systems and Intercultural Competence) has a cross-faculty and interdisciplinary focus and is a suitable place to explore these questions," says project manager and Vice President Professor Andreas Dörpinghaus. In cooperation with the Chair of International Relations and European Studies and the Chair of Systematic Educational Science, GSiK is therefore offering the "Democracy Lab" for the first time in the winter semester. The lab offers students two practical seminars in which democratic negotiation processes can be experienced and reflected upon. A lecture addresses the questions to the entire university public. Students and staff are cordially invited!

The Three Events at a Glance

From conflict to dilemma - experiencing and rethinking democracy

Block seminar with Joana Rieger

With the Betzavta approach, democratic negotiation processes and principles can be experienced in a practical and experience-orientated way.

The seminar will take place from 14 to 16 November 2025.

Further information and registration via WueStudy.

Democracy education and university: does it work?

Lecture by Prof Dr Sonja Grimm (Chair of International Relations and European Studies)

Democracies are under pressure worldwide - polarisation, disenchantment with politics and authoritarian tendencies are challenging their fundamental values. Prof. What does democracy education mean and what potential can it unfold on campus?

The lecture will take place on 18 November 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. in HS II at Wittelsbacherplatz.

Further information here. Registration is not required.

Simulation game democracy education

Seminar with Dr Maren Schüll and Melissa Silva (Chair of Systematic Educational Science)

In the simulation game, central democratic values - maturity, social responsibility, understanding of democracy - can be experienced. How can political judgement be promoted?

The simulation game will take place on 5 and 12 December 2025.

Further information and registration via WueStudy.

The "Global Systems and Intercultural Competence" (GSiK) programme

Every semester, GSiK puts together a comprehensive, interdisciplinary teaching programme for all students at the University of Würzburg. The content of the courses is the academic examination of cultural diversity, global contexts, various forms of discrimination and the reflection of one's own perspective. Last but not least, the programme aims to raise awareness of global responsibility, which is a commitment to a sustainable and fair way of life.