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"War and Peace": New series of the lecture series organised by Erfurt’s universities and the City of Erfurt

How do academia and society view war, peace and the conditions for peaceful coexistence? The joint public lecture series organised by Erfurt’s universities and the City of Erfurt will examine the theme of "War and Peace" from various academic perspectives during the 2026/27 winter semester. The event invites participants to question familiar perspectives, discover new connections and engage in dialogue with one another. The first session is on 29 October. On that day, Professor Sophia Hoffmann from the University of Erfurt will speak on "Understanding war and peace: international politics and a changing Europe. How secure is our present?". The event begins at 6.15 pm in the Ballroom of Erfurt town hall.

Gelber Schriftzug "Krieg und Frieden" vor schwarz-weißem Hintergrund mit fliegenden Tauben

What does war mean – what does peace mean? How do conflicts arise, and how can they be prevented? What conditions are necessary for a peaceful society? What traces do war and peace leave on the landscapes around us? What impact do conflicts have on relationships between partners? How does digitalisation influence the conduct of war? What is the state of peace and freedom in Europe? This event is intended as an invitation to shift one’s perspective. For “war and peace” do not relate solely to issues of international politics; they touch upon how we live together within society and influence, for example, the economy, education, culture, technology, the environment and many areas of our daily lives. The lectures will demonstrate the variety of ways in which a topic can be examined and the insights that emerge when academic disciplines engage in dialogue with one another.

All five higher education institutions in Erfurt – the University of Erfurt, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Health Medical University Erfurt (HMU), the International Vocational Academy (iba) and IU International University – are contributing to the lecture series with their own specialist perspectives and research questions. This will result in a varied programme spanning the entire winter semester, inviting participants to listen, reflect and discuss.

The public lecture series is explicitly aimed not only at students and members of the higher education institutions, but at anyone in Erfurt with an interest in the subject. Admission to the lectures is free, and no registration is required. The lecture series begins on 29 October 2026 and takes place every two weeks, on Thursdays, from 6.15 pm to 7.45 pm in the Erfurt town hall (Fischmarkt 1). 

All dates and topics can be found on the lecture series website at: www.campus-erfurt.de/Ringvorlesung.  

+++ Please note that, due to a faulty lift, the Town Hall is currently not barrier-free! +++

Tags: Lecture Series, Prospective students

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