Events at the adult education centre in March 2021

Thursday, 4 March, 7.30 to 9 p.m.
Peace Project Europe?
Online participation: free
After registering (by midnight on 3 March) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de you will receive an access link by email.

Is stable peace in Europe at risk? There are good reasons why peace between the member states of the European Union is counted among the main achievements of the European unification process. Today, however, the question is not only whether this peace could be jeopardised in the direction of increased nationalism. Rather, it is also unclear whether Europe will merely become another global superpower driven by its own interests if it succeeds in strengthening its common defence and security policy. Should Europe not also follow the principles that have proved so beneficial for Europe in its policy towards states that do not belong to the European peace order? Hans Joas' lecture attempts to shed light on this complex of questions on the basis of historical considerations.

Hans Joas is a sociologist and social philosopher and professor at the Humboldt University in Berlin. He also teaches regularly at the renowned University of Chicago. He has received numerous awards, including the Max Planck Research Prize in 2015.

This event is part of the series ""vhs.wissen live - the digital science programme"" as a cooperation between the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre and the Erding and SüdOst Adult Education Centres in the district of Munich.

Tuesday, 9 March, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Isolated in the Reich. The Reich Citizens' Movement
Online participation: free
After registering (by 4 p.m. on 9 March) at www.vhs-chemnitz.dehttp://www.vhs-chemnitz.deyou will receive an access link by email.

Reich citizens reject the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany and its legal system. Since November 2016, the Reich Citizens' Movement has therefore been an object of observation by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The lecture takes a look behind the scenes of a scene whose members do not recognise the German state and its rules and instead proclaim their own states. Case descriptions, membership figures and operational reports convey a heterogeneous picture. In addition to the growth of the scene, the speaker will focus on its historical and ideological development. What characterises Reichsbürger and where does the movement come from? The lecture and discussion will also decode the instruments and arguments used by Reichsbürger and discuss ways of dealing with members of the scene.

The event is a cooperation between the Saxon State Centre for Political Education and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre as part of the "Kontrovers vor Ort" project.

Saturday, 13 March, 9.30 to 11.30 a.m.
Plant-for-the-Planet Academy for children
Online participation: free. The event is aimed at children aged eight to 14.
After registering (by midnight on 5 March) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de, you will receive an access link by email.

Many people talk about climate change and environmental destruction, but what exactly is happening? What can children do? In a Plant-for-the-Planet Academy, children look for answers and pass on their knowledge to other children. They train each other to become ambassadors for climate justice and learn lots of interesting facts about the causes and consequences of climate change.

This event is a cooperation between Plant for the Planet Germany, the Max Müller Protestant Bookshop and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.

Monday, 15 March, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Civil society in Eastern Europe - guarantor of democracy?
Online participation: free
After registering (by 4 p.m. on 15 March) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de you will receive an access link by email. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the dominant idea was that citizens active in civil society could not only bring down authoritarian regimes, but were also a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. Today, this picture no longer seems so clear-cut. For example, anti-democratic protest movements can increasingly be observed in the formerly communist part of Europe, and illiberal regimes such as in Hungary are stabilising despite resistance on the streets. Based on current protests and actors, the lecture explores the question of what role civil society plays for democracy in Eastern Europe.

Wednesday, 17 March, 6 to 9 p.m.
#klimafit - Climate change on our doorstep. What can I do?
Online participation: free
Registration at: https://vhs.link/TcxF4B

Climate protection and climate adaptation are key tasks for local authorities. In order to fulfil these tasks, the city of Chemnitz needs citizens who are collectively committed to climate protection. The issue of climate change must be tackled in concrete terms on the ground. It is important to familiarise yourself with the background and know how you can get involved in your personal environment. This innovative course provides this information.

On six course evenings (17 March, 31 March, 21 April, 28 April, 11 May and 19 May, each from 6 to 9 pm), you will be familiarised with the scientific facts and data on the topic of "Climate and climate change". This includes the causes of climate change and the changes it is bringing about in Germany and the Chemnitz region. Expert dialogues with leading climate researchers open up a variety of perspectives. In addition, suggestions for joint action for effective climate protection are provided. You will also get to know local initiatives.

Successful participation will be recognised with a certificate at the end of the course. Once you have registered, you will receive further information on the organisation and content of the course evenings.

WWF Germany and the Helmholtz Research Network on Regional Climate Change (REKLIM) have developed this course and the project is funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Klaus Tschira Stiftung. The City of Chemnitz's environmental office is supporting the events. #klimafit in Sachsen is supported by the Saxon State Centre for Political Education and Visual Vest.

Tuesday, 23 March, 5 to 6.30 p.m.
Food is a means of life - but what is really in it?
Online participation: free
After registering (by 23 March, 12 noon) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de you will receive an access link by email.

There's a lot to discover on food labels: from the colourful presentation to the list of ingredients to information about ingredients that is difficult to interpret. Experts are calling for a consumer-friendly labelling system for food. Various proposals were on the table. In a survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, consumers were clearly in favour of the Nutri-Score. But what is behind it? How can it help with guidance?

This course offers valuable information on the topic of food labelling. It deals with nutrition and health claims on foods, such as the labelling of allergens and colourings.

Information from the adult education centre:
Learning is currently exclusively online. However, prior registration for courses and events is still required.

Current information can be found at www.vhs-chemnitz.de.