Supported by the Hertie Foundation, the Hertie School hosted the first-ever “My Campus Talks” event – a dialogue-oriented format bringing together students with opposing views.
“We believe that societies are similar to relationships: they get better as you talk and argue, even if it gets uncomfortable,” said Christopher Farkas, Editor-in-Chief at ZEIT Campus in his introductory statement. This sentiment set the tone for an afternoon that saw about 50 students engage in one thing: talking, talking, and then more talking.
Supported by the Hertie Foundation and organised with ZEIT Campus, Germany’s leading campus-life magazine, the event matched people with opposing views on one of today’s most pressing challenges: the Middle East conflict.
Disagreement is welcome
What was crucial and distinct about this event was its format. Rather than limiting engagement to a short Q&A session, the audience itself became the protagonist. Participants could only “relax” for brief introductory remarks before they spread out to discuss their viewpoints. They were matched for the discussions based on their responses to pre-event questions, such as:
• Do you think freedom of speech has been restricted in Germany since 7 October?
• Is unconditional support for Israel necessary for Germany’s remembrance culture?
• Should German universities and institutions be more vocal about the war in Gaza?
Using an app, attendees answered these questions, and organisers paired them with someone holding different views. This deliberate matching avoided echo chambers and encouraged meaningful exchanges between participants with diverse knowledge backgrounds and opinions.
Cornelia Woll: “Learning how to listen is a crucial part of the university experience”
“If you are only willing to speak when you know the other person agrees with you, that’s easy. But learning how to listen – even when you disagree – this is a crucial part of the university experience,” said Hertie School President Cornelia Woll during her opening dialogue with Christopher Farkas and Elisabeth Niejahr, Managing Director of the Hertie Foundation.
The event marked the debut of ZEIT's dialogue format on a university campus, a decision welcomed by Niejahr. “A good culture of debate and dialogue is central to a vibrant democracy. Universities, in particular, must be places where controversial positions are debated fairly and respectfully. This especially applies to the Middle East conflict.”
The event was part of a broader series of lectures and workshops offered by the Hertie School for students, staff and external guests on the Middle East conflict.
See more here: Conflict in the Middle East