| Seminar für Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Studies, Events

Lecture series with Rudolf Scharping: Do freedom and cohesion have a future?

The University of Erfurt, the Thuringian State Parliament and the Funke Media Group are continuing their joint lecture series in the 2025 summer semester, to which all interested parties are cordially invited. This time, the focus will be on the future of the world order in light of recent global developments. The next event is on Thursday, 19 June. At 6.15 pm, former Federal Minister of Defence Rudolf Scharping (SPD) will speak in lecture hall 2 of the Communication and Information Centre (KIZ) at the University of Erfurt about the "West" and the question of whether freedom and cohesion have a future.

In his lecture, Scharping takes a critical look at the concept of the "Western world order". Is it an expression of real political and cultural cohesion – or a myth that is becoming increasingly fragile? The lecture addresses the return of great power politics, the erosion of international norms and the growing influence of authoritarian narratives. Scharping asks whether the West is still in a position to credibly represent its values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law and how these can be defended in a changing world. The "battle for minds and hearts" also plays a central role here: The ideological competition has long been waged not only by military means, but above all through the media, narratives and political convictions.

Admission to the event is free. Please register at www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/ringvorlesung.

Rudolf Scharping

... is a German author, entrepreneur and former SPD politician. He was Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 1991 to 1994 and the SPD's candidate for Chancellor in 1994. As Federal Minister of Defence (1998–2002), he was responsible for the Bundeswehr's first combat mission in Kosovo. After his political career, he founded RSBK AG, a consultancy firm specialising in German-Chinese cooperation. Scharping is also an author and was President of the German Cycling Federation until 2025. Today, he works as a management consultant specialising in international relations.

The third and final date of the lecture series in the summer semester is on 14 July. The speaker will be Prof Tobias Bunde, Professor of International Security at the Hertie School, Director of Research and Policy at the Munich Security Conference and member of the Board of the Munich Security Conference Foundation. Further information will follow.

Contact:

Holder of the professorship for Empirical communication research / methods(Empirische Kommunikationsforschung / Methoden)
(Department of Media and Communication Studies)
C18 – teaching building 4 / C18.02.24
Office hours
on appointment
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