One University – One Book: Open Society – We help shape society!

Project Team: Christoph Scholz, Maik Arnold, Stefan Jung
Project Sponsor: Stifterverband
Project Duration: 01 May 2020 – 31 December 2021
Partners: Stifterverband, Klaus Tschira Stiftung, ZEIT Verlag
Funding: €10,000
Link: Video Overview

Project Background

For the action “EINE UNI – EIN BUCH”, the work selected was:
Stefan Brunnhuber: Die offene Gesellschaft – Ein Plädoyer für Freiheit und Ordnung im 21. Jahrhundert (2019).

The book draws on Karl R. Popper’s Open Society and Its Enemies and encourages readers to critically discuss contemporary societies without becoming lost in polarizing political debates or broad meta-themes like globalization, sustainability, digitalization, and social equity.

Brunnhuber is a physician, psychiatrist, economist, and economic sociologist, with interests spanning resource conflicts, peacebuilding, growth, and sustainability.

Project Motivation

The initiative is driven by several considerations:

  • Rethinking the mission of a University of Applied Sciences and exploring its role as an agent of societal change.

  • As a globally minded university, FHD takes responsibility for shaping future community, economic, social, and health systems, fostering open dialogue.

  • Encouraging discussion among students, faculty, staff, and partners on:

    • Artistic freedom (Design Faculty)

    • Market processes and global mobility (Business Faculty)

    • Participation, inclusion, co-determination, and equality in social, health, and pedagogical fields (Applied Social Sciences Faculty)

  • Addressing societal challenges in Dresden, Saxony, and East Germany, including local and regional disruptions, through creative, integrative approaches.

Planned Activities

The project implements various formats to promote critical reflection and engagement:

  • Lecture series and author readings with panel discussions

  • Roundtable discussions within the university

  • Student competitions

  • Artistic interventions and actions

The program aims to foster critical thinking, dialogue, and participatory learning while connecting university expertise with societal challenges.