Date: 17 – 26 May 2019
Venue: Ilmenau, Germany
Topic: Tradition & Transition
What would our world be today if traditions had never been questioned? How would it be if people like Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, Simone de Beauvoir and Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King hadn’t existed? They and many more have inspired us in finding the topic for the International Student Week in Ilmenau 2019: Tradition and Transition.
“Changes and Choices: Good by(e) Tradition?” is the motto of the forthcoming conference. Driven by the tension and the seeming contradiction between tradition and transition, we would like to look at the global perspective. The motto invites us to recognize the interdependence of traditions, changes, and choices, and at the same time encourages a deeper examination and awareness. Are our changes and choices good by tradition or might it be time to say good bye tradition in some cases?
In many ways, our life is influenced by structures, behaviors, and attitudes that we did not develop ourselves, but have adopted from our ancestors, relatives or peers. Whether traditions are passed on orally or in writing, within a group or from generation to generation, it seems impossible to refuse from being affected by them. Rather than that, traditions form our cultures and have a decisive influence on our identity and community. Besides, they can result in complex religious, political, economic and scientific systems. The interconnection and dependence among themselves are driven by globalization. In this way, traditions nowadays function and impact beyond community and national boundaries. Nevertheless, this interdependence also challenges existing traditions.
“Everything flows; nothing remains.” This 2,500 years old wisdom seems to be more appropriate than ever. Changes, especially technological changes, are taking place at unprecedented speed. The digital revolution and its disruptive technologies are just one example of a whole series of changes that affect almost all aspects of life, having an impact on society and environment as well as political and economic courses. But, tradition too claims to be consistent. This seems to be an insoluble contradiction and often leads to an insurmountable conflict between tradition and modernity. Fundamentalism, for example, is one outcome. But are tradition and transition mutually exclusive? Do we have to discard or deny one in order to achieve the other, or can they coexist without conflict? Can they possibly complement and promote each other?
In 30 workgroups, we offer the opportunity to dive into specific areas of interest beyond national borders. Instead of a quick and general answer, we would like to gain different perspectives and take a critical view of both sides – tradition and transition. In our eyes, this critical view is important in order to achieve a world community of solidarity in which every individual is socially and economically secure and can live free from discrimination and violence. It reinforces a mutual understanding as it invites us to question our own point of view and habits and understand the view of our counterpart at the same time. Taking a critical view can mean to question the roots, meaning, implications and impact, not only locally but globally. How might certain traditions be connected to human rights, climate change, and global justice? Which transitions are we facing, and which would we like to see in the future? How can we actively create them?
During ISWI 2019 we want to discuss these matters together with you. Our students’ conference will enable people to gather in an understanding and tolerant atmosphere for exchanging ideas in an open-minded dialogue. During workshops, discussions, lectures, group work, and personal conversations, you will have the chance to share arguments, experiences and ideas related to topics that matter to you. We want to discuss our role as responsible persons within society in order to develop solutions for existing problems and take responsibility together. We would like to focus on the idea that everyone can influence our future – and be the change.