Selected Events in 2006
Conference on the Cultural Constructions of Age brings together Major International Scholars in Berlin
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"The Coming of Age: Cultural Construction of Age(ing)" was the title of a conference organized by the Public Affairs Section in cooperation with the British Council and Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation on September 7 and 8, 2006. Margaret Gullette from Brandeis University, Kathleen Woodward from the University of Washington and Kate de Medeiros from the Copper Ridge Institute were among the international scholars from a wide range of fields, from Age Studies, Women´s Studies, History, and Literature who presented their cutting-edge research and their work in the field. Their lectures and the following discussions and panels explored how the meanings of age and ageing have been constructed by cultural processes and how we can envision future societies which value the experience of older citizens.
The new Cultural Attache Peter Claussen welcomed an audience of journalists, political activists, and academics who shared their experiences with civil engagement in the context of demographic change and ageism. This conference was a great opportunity to take time to imaginatively construct and discuss new concepts of a good life course in our Western societies. The young participants at the conference contributed to the liveliness of an intergenerational dialogue.
As a cultural program, Robert Fass from New York presented his impressive series of photographs “As Long as We Both Shall Live”, a documentary slide show and photography exhibition on long-married couples of various backgrounds from all over the United States.
Connections between experts from the United States, Great Britain, and Germany were established, an international forum for politics and research in the field of ageing Western societies was provided and future cooperations, networks, and publications were explored.
