Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of Inclusive and Sustainable Societies” (DIT)

Democratic values are under growing threat across Europe. Populist and far-right movements are normalizing exclusion and undermining pluralism. Therefore, it is important to defend and strengthen democratic and inclusive principles in our societies, as these are the foundations of peaceful and equitable societies.

Inclusion transforms diversity from a challenge into a strength. It empowers communities, fosters trust, and creates just and sustainable futures. We envision creating an interdisciplinary U!REKA network on inclusive democracy. By bringing together researchers across different universities and disciplines, we aim to explore democracy and inclusion from local and comparative international perspectives.  

Our network will foster critical dialogue, interdisciplinary exchange, and collaborative research. At the same time, it will provide a collective platform to identify anti-democratic, discriminating structures and practices as well as to promote inclusion, safeguard, and foster democratic values in European societies.  

We seek to co-create ideas with community actors and engage directly with social practice. Together, we can build pathways to inclusive, engaged circular societies with supportive communities and engaged neighborhoods.  

Join us in shaping a research agenda that uplifts marginalized voices. Help us identify challenges, share best practices, and create new, participatory solutions for inclusive democracies.

We invite researchers, practitioners, and communities to collaborate with us.  

For further information and collaboration please contact Minna-Kristiina Ruokonen-Engler at KomSI, Frankfurt UAS: ruokonen-engler@fra-uas.de

Network coordination: Prof. Dr. Michaela Köttig & Dr. Minna-Kristiina Ruokonen-Engler (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences & KomSI)