Strengthening Democracy: Civic Engagement and Democratic Resilience in Germany and the UK
On 15 January 2026, join us for a conversation with Dr. Jurgen Grotz, Professor Bryony Hoskins and others at RSA House in London on how citizens in Germany and the UK participate in public life. Entry is from 2.30pm with a 3pm start and the event will finish around 4.30pm. This is a joint event between the British-German Association and the Deutsches Institut für Gutes Leben (German Institute for the Good Life).
In a time marked by political polarisation, disinformation, and declining institutional trust, our panel of experts and a moderator will compare the cultural, social, and institutional landscapes shaping civic engagement today. The discussion will spotlight innovative initiatives that energise community participation and nurture more resilient democratic cultures, while exploring what each country can learn from the other.
This event aims to identify current trends and shared challenges to democratic resilience in Germany and the UK, fostering deeper dialogue on how to strengthen citizen engagement across both societies.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Speakers:
Dr. Jurgen Grotz is Director of the Institute for Volunteering Research, at the University of East Anglia (Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR)). He is an author and academic, specialising in volunteer involvement research.
Professor Bryony Hoskins, Chair of Comparative Social Science at the University of Roehampton, is a leading expert on how inequalities shape political engagement and how education can close these gaps. Her latest book, Education, Democracy and Inequality, explores political engagement and citizenship education in Europe and is published by Palgrave Macmillan.
The event will be moderated by Dr. Robert Keeling who is a member of the Deutsches Institut für Gutes Leben.
You can book tickets through this link on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strengthening-democracy-in-germany-and-the-uk-tickets-1976903211723?aff=oddtdtcreator
Details
London, WC2N 6EZ
