Enhancing Science Partnerships for Innovation and Sustainable Development

26/02/2013

Between the past and the future – humanities and social sciences as current key subject for the Year of Science

Where did we come from and where are we now? It is rare for humanities and social sciences to offer just one correct answer. Rather, this field of research helps us to understand the past, to orientate ourselves in the present and to ask the right questions for the future. From January, the German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013 will be dedicated to humanities and social sciences research as a key subject.

At the start of the new year, the German-South African Year of Science will be focusing attention on this key subject and various projects will be supported. For example, the Humboldt University of Berlin has been holding a joint lecture series with the University of Stellenbosch on the topic of "Religion and Ethics in a Globalised World" since Autumn 2012. Academics from the University of Cape Town and the Braunschweig University of Art are jointly organising two conferences, addressing the topic of intercultural communication across international borders. Over the past two years, another South African-German research team has been working on opening up Berlin missionary Carl Hoffmann’s Collection of Northern Sotho Cultural Heritage and giving it a media makeover. As part of the Year of Science, a workshop has already been conducted in South Africa and a further conference and a cultural evening in the South African embassy are also being held.

The dates for these and other events relating to the current key subject can be found in our online calendar. Detailed information will be added to the News area of the website on an ongoing basis.

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