Mutig, wehrhaft und streitbar – Podiumsdiskussion über die Selbstverständlichkeit der Demokratie

In the organizer's words:

A panel discussion organized by the Rudolf Augstein Foundation, the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S., the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS and the Hamburg Foundation Office.

Democracy is under pressure worldwide - even in established democracies such as Germany and the USA. Authoritarian rhetoric, disinformation campaigns, political influence on public institutions and targeted attacks on the credibility of the media, science, culture and the judiciary are on the rise. Developments in the United States under Donald Trump in particular have shown how quickly the cornerstones of democratic order can be shaken.

These institutions - the courts, free press, independent academia and critical culture - act as the "guardians of democracy". But how strong are they still today? How freely can they act - and what political, social and financial threats endanger their independence?

As part of the Hamburg Foundation Days, the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S., the Rudolf Augstein Foundation and the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS invite you to a discussion with Hamburg's shapers of culture, science, media and justice.

On the podium:
Dr. Melanie Amann, deputy editor-in-chief of the news magazine DER SPIEGEL
Sonja Anders, director of the Thalia Theater from the 2025/26 season onwards
Maryam Blumenthal, Senator for Science, Research and Equality in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Dr. Marc Tully, President of the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court and member of the Hamburg Constitutional Court

Welcome and moderation:
Ansgar Wimmer, Chairman of the Board of the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S.
Stephanie Reuter, Managing Director of the Rudolf Augstein Foundation
Prof. Manuel Hartung, Chairman of the Board of the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS

Admission begins at 7 pm, the event at 8 pm. The talk will be followed by a reception.

Please register via the following link: https://kontakt.buergerstiftung-hamburg.de/anmeldung_mutig_wehrhaft_streitbar

Price information:

Registration via the link