Adult education centre events in November
Wednesday, 1 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Saxony 1923 - The left-wing socialist project
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.62
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310145
In March 1923, a government of SPD and KPD was elected in Saxony with Erich Zeigner as Prime Minister. Whilst this government is introducing reforms, the Reich is shaken by serious crises: the occupation of the Ruhr region, inflation, economic crisis and political unrest. In October, the Saxon workers' government is forcibly deposed by means of a Reich execution, while at the same time a Hitler coup takes place in Munich.
In this event, historian Karl Heinrich Pohl wants to show that the left-wing republican project initiated in Saxony was by no means intended to destroy democracy and - as is often claimed - was committed to the "Communist World Revolution". Rather, it sought to continue the stalled revolution of 1918/19, to consolidate the democratic Weimar system and to give it a stronger social content.
This event is co-financed by tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament. It is a co-operation between the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
Wednesday, 1 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Observing, recognising and protecting Chemnitz's birdlife throughout the year
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2339023
Over 130 different species of breeding birds have been counted in Chemnitz. Including winter visitors and migratory birds, a good 200 bird species can be observed. However, their numbers are dwindling and some breeding bird species are threatened with extinction in the region. They no longer find enough food or suitable breeding sites. Where there are fewer insects, birds are also endangered.
You will experience a large part of this biodiversity in a picture presentation. You will learn impressively where and when you can observe different birds. You will also receive suggestions for the sustainable protection of their habitats. A particular concern of the speaker Jens Börner is to explain the causes of the decline in breeding birds. Jens Börner from the Sächsischer Ornithologen e. V. association has been active in ornithology and nature conservation for more than four decades.
Thursday, 2 November, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Let's talk: Women's protocols from the Colonia Dignidad
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, event hall, 3rd floor
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310150
In the 1960s, lay preacher Paul Schäfer abducted almost two hundred children abroad in Chile. He founded a brutal sect there in which the children concerned were abused sexually and as labour slaves for decades - Colonia Dignidad. Later, numerous Chilean children also fell into Schäfer's clutches. After the coup in 1973, the sect also placed itself at the service of the Pinochet dictatorship. Together with the secret service DINA, Chilean opposition members were imprisoned, tortured and killed here. Only the gradual democratisation of Chile created the conditions to put an end to it all. Hundreds of people are left behind, characterised by deception and oppression on an unparalleled scale.
Heike Rittel has set out on the trail of the women of this former sect, whose fate has so far received little or no public attention. She lived with them, got to know their everyday lives, visited their relatives and the places to which they linked their memories. At the suggestion of the then Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and with the support of human rights activist Jürgen Karwelat and photographer Andreas Höfer, the book "Lasst uns reden: Women's Protocols from Colonia Dignidad".
We cordially invite you to the reading and subsequent discussion with contemporary witnesses Edeltraut and Michael Müller.
The event is a co-operation between the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
Tuesday, 7 November, 6 to 7.30 pm
Fractals
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: 10 euros, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2351025
With the developments in the natural sciences over the past one hundred years, mathematics is constantly faced with new topics and challenges. One of these new areas is summarised under the term "fractals". In simple terms, fractals can be described as geometric figures whose whole resembles its individual components. Fractals can be found everywhere: fractal forms in the animal and plant world, fractal structures in medicine, fractals in business and technology.
The mathematician Prof Dr Posthoff devotes his new lecture to fractals. Using impressive examples, he explains their significance for the natural and social scientific achievements of the 20th and 21st centuries. Prof Dr Posthoff will also explain the connection between fractals and developments in the field of artificial intelligence.
Wednesday, 8 November, 19 to 20.30
Women, do politics! In dialogue with Chemnitz city councillors
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310170
More than half of the people in Germany are female. But this is not reflected in politics and political offices. Real-life politics needs more women, needs perspectives on the concerns of the city. This also applies to Chemnitz.
This event focusses on the local political commitment of women here. The personal experiences of female city councillors will take centre stage. How do they manage to reconcile family, career and voluntary work? What drives them, what motivates them for their commitment?
The event is particularly aimed at women who would like to find out more and perhaps even be encouraged to become active in local politics themselves. Come along and talk to your local councillors.
The event is a co-operation between the Equal Opportunities Officer of the City of Chemnitz and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre. It is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon state parliament.
Monday, 13 November 6.45 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.
In the footsteps of Buddha - a lecture on the science of the mind
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: 10 euros, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2316010
The lecture introduces the spiritual path of man in the footsteps of Buddha and thus the basic principles of Buddhism. The speaker illustrates the forces that are released here so that people can develop themselves and strengthen their health, develop as social beings, become free and integrate themselves into the cosmos. The instructor's own photographs visually support the content. They provide fascinating and touching impressions of the various Himalayan regions and the Buddhist culture and tradition there.
The course leader has been studying Tibetan Buddhism for many years and has travelled to numerous Buddhist countries.
Thursday, 14 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Saving food in Chemnitz - foodsharing e. V. introduces itself
Location: Club der Kulturen, Thüringer Weg 3
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2331003
Around a third of our food is thrown away. That has to change! Foodsharing e. V. wants to sustainably reduce the throwaway culture in Chemnitz. The initiative rescues food from private households as well as from shops, discounters, supermarkets, restaurants, manufacturers etc. and redistributes it fairly. Come along and find out how you too can be part of the network.
The event is a cooperation between foodsharing e. V. Chemnitz and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
Wednesday, 15 November, 6.45 to 8.15 pm
Open ear, open heart - telephone counselling in voluntary work
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2311070
0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 - everyone has probably seen or at least heard of the TelefonSeelsorge numbers. "You can call there if you don't know what to do next", this or something similar is what you hear when people talk about the telephone counselling service. But what worries can I go there with? What happens when I call them? Can I also get help online?
Furthermore: What kind of people are these volunteers who dedicate themselves to the needs of others? What do you need to be able to do to have a helpful conversation? Can you learn how to do this, and if so, how long does it take?
Telephone counselling works in a network throughout Germany, with a free telephone number, 24 hours a day, with volunteers. Before you can work on the phone, you need to undergo a thorough and interesting training programme.
On this evening, you will gain a brief insight into the work of TelefonSeelsorge Chemnitz under the umbrella of Stadtmission Chemnitz e. V., and learn interesting facts about the training concept. Perhaps after the evening you will be interested in joining the TelefonSeelsorge team in the future.
Thursday, 16 November, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Water crisis? Not here after all! Reading and discussion with the author Uwe Ritzer
Location: TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, event hall
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2339300
Over many centuries, humans have "utilised" water - we divert and drain it, dam it, consume it and pollute it. Ecological and public welfare concerns in dealing with water as the basis of life have been and are still often neglected in favour of economic interests.
Are we heading towards a water crisis as a result of advancing climate change, particularly in eastern Germany? Droughts in particular, but also floods, are becoming more frequent and more severe. Water is becoming a hard-fought commodity for industry, mining, agriculture and forestry, public water supply and nature.
Uwe Ritzer is an author and journalist for the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". On this evening, he will read from his book "Zwischen Dürre und Flut. Germany faces a water emergency: what needs to happen now". He describes how water can be used sustainably. The discussion with him will focus on the question of what concrete action needs to be taken.
The event is a cooperation between Weiterdenken - Heinrich Böll Foundation Saxony and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
Thursday, 23 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Artificial intelligence - knowledge instead of fear
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310240
Artificial intelligence techniques are already being used in many areas, but at the latest since the ChatGPT application was made available free of charge, artificial intelligence (AI) is on everyone's lips and has become part of our everyday lives.
So what exactly is artificial intelligence? How is it technically realised? And what is behind the enormous attention that artificial intelligence is currently receiving? Should we be afraid of artificial intelligence? How is it changing our society?
Questions upon questions that are not easy to answer. But we want to approach them in order to better understand what this new type of interaction between humans and technology means.
Data journalist Ronny Schilder, who works for the Freie Presse in Chemnitz, will provide answers on this evening and would like to enter into dialogue with interested parties.
The event is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon state parliament.
Monday, 27 November 7 to 8.30 pm
Is that already extremism?
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310168
The topic of extremism regularly causes fierce controversy: What does extremist actually mean? Can right-wing and left-wing extremism be compared with each other? And: Is the AfD an extreme right-wing party?
The answers to these questions concern us all. After all, how we perceive and deal with extremist endeavours shapes our society. Differentiating between democracy and extremism is the essential basis for dealing with anti-democratic phenomena politically and socially.
The following questions will be answered: What manifestations do extremists have today? How do they attempt to undermine basic democratic values? Which movements are categorised as extremist? And what can be done socially and politically to counter extremism?
Together with political scientist Dr Christoph Meißelbach from the Saxon Institute for Police and Security Research (SIPS), these questions will be discussed in the light of specific examples.
The event is a cooperation between the Saxon State Centre for Political Education and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre as part of the "Controversial on Site" project. It is co-financed by tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.
Tuesday, 28 November, 6 to 7.30 pm
Maths on banknotes
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: 9.80 euros, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2351020
Maths is exciting and we encounter maths everywhere - in traffic lights, in online banking and in the construction of vehicles. We invite you on an interesting journey through the history of mathematics - from the first number systems of the Maya and the basic arithmetic in Egypt and Babylon, to the preoccupation with infinity in the Middle Ages and the specialised modern mathematics of the 21st century. Banknotes from all over the world will give you an insight into the development and application of mathematics.
Tuesday, 28 November, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
The electronic patient file (ePA) - what you need to know
Location: online
Participation: free of charge, registration is possible until 12 noon on the day of the event. An access link will be sent by e-mail. Registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2338045
Since 2021, all people with statutory health insurance have been entitled to the provision of an electronic patient file (ePA) by their health insurance company. If you want to use the ePA, you should know what advantages it brings and what possible disadvantages or risks it harbours. How can you register for the ePA? What information is stored in it and who can view it? We will also discuss the German government's latest plans to create the ePA for all citizens by default and only waive it if they actively object.
After the event, you will be in a position to judge whether you want to make use of the ePA for yourself.
An event as part of the "medienkundig!" series organised by the adult education centres in Saxony. Further events in the series can be found at https://www.online-vhssachsen.de/kursprogramm-2/medienkundig.html
Wednesday, 29 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Anti-feminism and digital misogyny
Location: Lila Villa, akCentre e. V., Kaßbergstraße 22
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310180
Insults, defamation, harassment, threats, doxxing, revenge porn - the list of expressions of misogyny in online forums and social networks is long and could go on and on. It seems that the mood against (feminist) statements by women has become much more heated in recent years and forms of digital misogyny have become acceptable.
But is that true? Are the mostly young men with their hostility a small but loud minority? Are new forms of digital misogyny being cultivated on online portals such as YouTube, TikTok, X, Reddit or 4chan, which will ultimately also become a threat to women in the real world? And where do the (young) men who take part in it get their role models from? What ideologies play a role in this form of online hatred?
The evening's speaker, Veronika Kracher, would like to explore these and other questions with the audience. The talk will begin with an overview of the relevant online subcultures. The focus will be on so-called "incels" and the misogynistic podcast and coaching community. The speaker will also look at current forms of anti-feminist online activism. Afterwards, Veronika Kracher invites the audience to an open discussion.
Veronika Kracher is an author and journalist who writes for "neue deutschland", "Belltower News" and the "Antifaschistische Infoblatt", among others. Her research focuses on feminism and criticism of patriarchy, anti-Semitism, literary theory and pop culture. She has published the book "Incels. History, Language and Ideology of an Online Cult". Veronika Kracher works as an education officer at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation.
The event is a cooperation between Lila Villa e. V., the Bildungswerk weiterdenken in the Heinrich Böll Foundation Saxony and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre. It is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.
Thursday, 30 November, 7 to 8.30 pm
Artificial intelligence in education, for learning and teaching
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre at TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20, course room 4.07
Participation: free of charge, registration link: www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/W2310250
Learning and teaching is not just about passing on information, but also about understanding, applying, explaining using examples and much more. Artificial intelligence is partly suitable for taking over or flanking these processes. But what exactly does artificial intelligence mean for learning and teaching? What does artificial intelligence do to learners and teachers? Is there a change in teaching and learning? The fact is that promises and new possibilities are accompanied by warnings of fraud and the destruction of creativity and self-learning. It's high time we started talking about this.
On this evening, the scientist Sascha Kaden, who works at the Chair of Neurorobotics at the Faculty of Computer Science at Chemnitz University of Technology, will talk about these issues and explain the importance of artificial intelligence in education.
The event is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.
Information from the adult education centre:
Prior registration is important for all courses and events. This can be done by telephone on 0371 488-4343, by e-mail to info(at)vhs-chemnitz.de or online via the registration link provided in the course information.
If an event is already fully booked, it is possible to be placed on the waiting list without obligation.
Up-to-date information is available at www.vhs-chemnitz.de.