Rüppurrer Str. 1a, Haus B
73131 Karlsruhe
Germany
- Democracy and community development
- International/Cultural relations
- Research
- Youth and education
ZAK │ Centre for Cultural and General Studies, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) The ZAK | Centre for Cultural and General Studies is a central facility of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), headed by Prof. Dr. Caroline Y. Robertson-von Trotha.
The ZAK’s concept is based on three pillars: interdisciplinarity, applied research in cultural studies, and public science. In particular, the ZAK’s objectives include the promotion of interdisciplinary teaching, and the interdisciplinary collaboration of teachers and researchers; promotion of scientific, social and economic dialogue; promotion and improvement of relationships and cooperation between the KIT and the citizens of Karlsruhe and the region of in terms of scientific and cultural exchange.
The main subjects of the ZAK´s research and project activities are the fields of globalization, cultural change and technology and intercultural communication. Thus, the ZAK contributes to scientific reflection and the shaping of developments in society and culture. Main areas of research are: Interdisciplinary teaching and integrative studies, internationalization and globalization, teamwork and leadership competence in intercultural projects and urban integration of immigrant groups on a European scale. As a member of the Anna Lindh Foundation the ZAK covers the fields: democracy and community development (e.g. Karlsruhe Dialogues), international/cultural relations and research (e.g. International Forum; Days of Culture of the City of Karlsruhe; European Integration and Institutional Studies - Jean Monnet Program EURIIS; Internationalization and intercultural decision-making and responsibility INTER-ACT). Since March 2012 the ZAK, together with the Goethe Institute, coordinates the German network of the Anna-Lindh Foundation as well as the Common Action, a collaborative, Germany-wide Event series of the network with the subject “Migration and Flight”. In 2010 the ZAK hosted the German launch of the Anna-Lindh-Report on EuroMed Intercultural Trends accompanied by a panel discussion in the castle of Karlsruhe. An evening with Arab independent short-films framed by the curator’s explanations was the ZAK’s contribution to the ALF-series of events “Mittelmeer vor Ort” in May 2011.