Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michaela Kramer

Alyssa Feick 

University of Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Education and Social Sciences

Seminar: Sustainability - Images - Participation. Potentials of cultural media education for the development of future visions  

Media play a crucial role in the engagement with sustainability. They convey social narratives, shape our ideas of planetary boundaries and provide orientation in an increasingly complex world. Pictorial, photographic representations in particular contribute to our interpretation of the world and ourselves through their emotional and globally understandable dimensions. In the project ‘Expanding Narratives. Youth and their Images of Sustainability’, we take a critical, creative and analytical look at narratives and images of sustainability. In our seminar as part of the Cologne Summer School, we will present research approaches and results from the project. In addition, methods from the spectrum of cultural media education can be explored. The participants will engage in discussions on intergenerational justice and future visions in the field of cultural media education. 

Prof. Dr. Martin Schröder

Saarland University

Chair of Sociology with a focus on Europe

Seminar: Why it makes no sense to distinguish generations

Generation Z is lazy, while baby boomers work themselves to death. Almost daily, we are bombarded with such attributions about  alleged generations. Martin Schröder, professor of sociology at Saarland University, has examined close to one million survey responses from almost 40 years, to show that attitudes cannot be explained through generations. The old have always thought differently than the young, and we all think differently than we did in the past. But because we confuse these so-called age- and period-effects with generations, we tend to see differences between birth cohorts where none exist. Many differentiate between generations, but doing so is no better than racism or sexism. 

Patrick Vestner

University of Cologne, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Department Corporate Development

Seminar: Untapped Age-Based Resources: How to Reshape instead of Experiencing an Age-Diverse Workforce

Demographic change presents employers with future challenges. Firstly, the workforce is getting older and more age-diverse, which places multigenerational demands on the organizational structure, culture and processes. Secondly, the structure of customers is often changing, as users of products and services are getting older or age-related differences in buyers are changing the professional approach. This age-related driver of change is reinforced by other social developments (e.g. digitalization, shifts in values). How can we leverage age diversity at organizations as an opportunity? What strategies can organizations apply to promote successful and productive age-diverse collaboration?

To address these questions, Patrick Vestner from the University of Cologne will unpack some myths about ageing, explore the unique strengths of age-diverse teams, and offer insights into how organizations can navigate workforce transitions with strategic foresight. In an interactive session, the participants will work together on scenarios to integrate this demographic development into structure and culture for future-ready workplaces, and how this impacts the reciprocal relationship between organizations and society.

Natalie Chirchietti

CEO & Co-Founder, Cycling Without Age Germany

Workshop: Future Entrepreneurship: Building Startups for Social Impact

What does it take to launch a startup that makes a real difference? In this interactive workshop, you'll dive into the world of social and sustainable entrepreneurship, and learn from inspiring examples who work towards generational justice, like Cycling Without Age. You'll also be introduced to the Social Business Model Canvas, a practical tool to help you structure and develop your own impactful ideas. By the end of the session, you’ll start shaping your first project concepts aimed at solving real-world challenges. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, social innovation, or curious about building something meaningful—this workshop is for you.

Mrinalini Shinde

International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Cologne

Integrity Manager

Mrinalini Shinde B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), M.Sc., LL.M., is a qualified lawyer from India, based in Germany, with over 8 years of PQE, specializing in environmental and climate  change law. She works at the intersection of institutional legal advisory, environmental law capacity-building, and data-driven environmental problem solving. She is a Lecturer of International Environmental Law at the University of Cologne. She currently serves as an Integrity Manager at International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Cologne, specialising in corporate responsibility, sanctions and whistleblower investigations especially under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. She has previously worked as a Programme Manager at the Environmental Law Center at the University of Cologne and as the Academic Coordinator for the IMES programme at the UoC. She has also served in the Legal Affairs Division of the UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn, as the focal point for capacity building on climate change law for parliamentarians and external stakeholders, and as a legal advisor within intergovernmental negotiations under the UNFCCC & Paris Agreement.  She has served as a Policy Associate for the climate non-profit Climate Tracker Inc. and also represented clients in environmental cases as a litigator, including at the National Green Tribunal in India.

Seminar: Intergenerational justice in international environmental law

This lecture will focus on the evolution of the legal principle of intergenerational justice in international environmental law, its implications in international treaties, and the key actors who were responsible for ensuring that evolution. We will also discuss intersectional aspects of intergenerational justice, and how it interacts with intragenerational justice. The talk will also include a discussion on examples in domestic legal jurisdictions where the principle of intergenerational justice has been litigated towards environmental protection.