Zentrum für Interkulturelle Studien Mainz - Center for Intercultural Studies Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz

Interculturality is a central theme of our times. The close proximity and coexistence of people from different cultures in a shared territory is what distinguishes modern societies; the problems and conflicts arising from this are on the agenda in both national and international politics. Close to 100 social scientists and other academics at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz are carrying out interdisciplinary research under the auspices of the Center for Intercultural Studies in various projects. The researchers are analyzing the changes in living conditions that result from emigration/immigration and are investigating the connections between science, politics, and ethnic minorities. In addition to this research, the Center for Intercultural Studies is active in making the various specializations of these focal research units public – in particular in the form of interdisciplinary events, continuous teacher training, guest lectureships, visiting professorships, and project presentations. One of the Center's main concerns is to find access to the public arena. It collaborates widely with partners in politics and the economy, culture, and society. In previous years, the Center has promoted more than sixty conferences, financed more than a dozen guest professorships and put on numerous public events with literary figures, artists and musicians in collaboration with cultural organizations, particularly here in Mainz. The Center endeavors to promote intercultural skills across cultures and to create suitable tools to make intercultural expertise available to its relevant practitioners.