EVENT: Germany’s role in the European Union and International Affairs with Noam Chomsky & Heiner Flassbeck

Germany has been a formidable presence both politically and culturally in Europe and internationally. From its role in both world wars to its transatlantic alliance with the USA in the post-war period and its eventual reunion, Germany has once again become a dominant economic and political force within the European continent and abroad.

• What is the economic and political significance of Germany’s role in recent history?
• What does Germany’s presence on the world stage mean today?
• What role will or should it play in shaping the future?
• What influence does its relationship with the United States have on its domestic and foreign policy both economically and socially?
• How can an individual participate in social & political issues and influence meaningful change?

To explore these issues acTVism Munich is hosting a discussion with the following experts:

Experts:

Noam Chomsky:
Prof. Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, and social justice activist. He has spent most of his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is currently Professor Emeritus, and has authored over 100 books. He has been described as a prominent cultural figure, and was voted the “world’s top public intellectual” in a 2005 poll.

Prof.Chomsky will be addressing Germany’s role in US foreign policy since the post war period. Issues that will be addressed include the Transatlantic Investment Trade and Partnership (TTIP), Germany’s role in the military industrial complex, and whether this historical relationship with the United States has affected its policies towards the Ukraine & Greek crises and the recent plight of the refugees.

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Heiner Flassbeck:

Prof.Flassbeck is a German economist and publicist. From 1998 to 1999 he was a State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Finance where he also advised former finance minister Oskar Lafontaine on a reform of the European Monetary System.

He became the Chief of Macroeconomics and Development of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva in January 2003, a position that he held until resigning at the end of 2012. Prof. Flassbeck will be focusing on Germany’s role as the economic powerhouse of the European Union, it’s handling of the Greek crisis, its transatlantic economic relationship with the US and also domestic financial and social policies.

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Local activists – Kerem Schamberger & Franz Haslbeck:

Franz Haslbeck and Kerem Schamberger will talk about activism and grassroots movements. Furthermore, they will provide a solution oriented analysis which will discuss how an individual can engage & mobilize to bring about meaningful change.

Kerem Schamberger is student of communication science and is active locally in various initiatives. He provides vital support to the Kurdish freedom movement, is an active member of Marxist-Left and a spokeperson for the German Communist Party.

Franz Haslbeck is an activist based in Munich who supports peace movements in Occupeace, sustainability & environmental movements (Attac), human rights & privacy initiatives (Stop Watching Us) and democracy movements in Echte Demokratie Jetzt! (Real Democracy Now!).

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Moderators:

Zain Raza (ENGLISH) , Founder & Senior Editor of acTVism Munich

Gideon Gottfried (GERMAN), Editor and Journalist at acTVism Munich

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Infos:

Date 17.11.2015

Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/599303786874755/

Location: Muffatwerk, Ampere: Zellstraße 4, 81667 Munich.

Languages: English & Deutsch

Audio-stream available via Radio München

Ticket Price: Euro 10

Program:

Entry: 6 PM

Discussion panel with local activists: 7 PM

Discussion panel with Heiner Flassbeck: 8 PM

Live Interview with Noam Chomsky via Webcam: 9 PM

Question and Answers: 10 PM

END: 1030 PM