Registration for the 4th CoSR
Registration for the 4th CoSR
What is the 4th CoSR?
4. CoSR "Democracy is unpromptable!"
Date: October 9, 2026
Location: Gesellschaft Casino, Betenstraße 18, 44137 Dortmund / The entrance is through the lobby of the Mercure Hotel.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Program to follow)
Theme of CoSR 2026: "Democracy Can't Be Censored!"
How can democracy be strengthened in times of social polarization, growing pressure on civil society actors, and rapid technological developments? And what role do universities, academia, and NGOs play in this?
The 4th Conference on Social Responsibility addresses these questions
A special focus is placed on two central themes:
- AI and civic engagement:
How is artificial intelligence changing the work of NGOs? What opportunities arise for participation, communication, and organization—and what risks do they pose to democratic processes, visibility, and civic engagement?
- Strengthening Democracy Through Exchange and Networking:
How can academia and civil society respond jointly to increasing political pressure? What forms of collaboration are needed to actively defend democratic values and promote social cohesion?
Democracy remains irreplaceable—because it thrives on participation.
Program
9:00 – 9:30 Arrival, welcome with coffee
9:30 – 10:00 Welcome address by Svenja Stepper(Opens in a new tab) , Chancellor of Fachhochschule Dortmund
Part 1
10:00 – 10:30 Keynote: Strengthening Democracy – A Political Perspective (keynote speaker to be announced)
10:30 – 10:40 Break
10:40 – 12:10 Inspirational presentation and workshop: “Strengthening Democracy Through Collaboration Between Academia and Civil Society,” presented by Prof. Dr. Dierk Borstel(Opens in a new tab) , Faculty of Applied Social Studies, Fachhochschule Dortmund
12:10 – 1:10 p.m. Lunch break
Part 2
1:10 PM – 3:10 PM Rage Against the Machine Learning? – AI Between Myth and Fable: Keynote and Workshop – Civi Data Lab(Opens in a new tab) , Jonas Stettner and Angela Berger (Preparatory Course: AI Basic Skills – An Introduction; please attend if possible(Opens in a new tab) )
3:10 PM – 3:30 PM Get-together and closing remarks
Lecture by Markus Kurth, former Member of the Bundestag
Markus Kurth served as a Green Party member of the Bundestag from 2002 to 2025 and was a member of the Committee on Labor and Social Affairs. He served as spokesperson for social and disability policy (2002–2013) and as spokesperson for pension policy (2013–2025).
In his presentation, Mr. Kurth will discuss the importance of civic engagement and dialogue with the academic community from a political perspective.
We would like to discuss with him what politics can achieve, which expectations of politics are justified, and what impetus must be provided to politics from academia and civil society.
Lecture by Prof. Dr. Dierk Borstel
Is Democracy on the Brink?
Academic Insights into Processes of Democratic Consolidation in the East and West
Far-right takeovers have become a conceivable possibility, at least at the state level. Democracy and the liberal constitutional state are therefore under particular pressure. What do these processes mean for committed democrats, for civil society, businesses, and universities? What strategies can currently be identified, and what is the interim assessment of their effectiveness?
About the Speaker
For nearly thirty years, Prof. Dr. Dierk Borstel has been conducting research at (Opens in a new tab) the intersection of academia and practice on issues related to threats to democracy in East and West Germany. He develops municipal analyses for active local communities, provides counseling to civil society actors and businesses on these issues, and uses his academic expertise to support partners in the field in developing concrete courses of action—most recently, for example, the so-called “Nordstadtliga” in Dortmund. Since 2012, he has been aat (Opens in a new tab) the intersection of academia and practice on issues related to threats to democracy in East and West Germany. He develops municipal analyses for active local communities, provides counseling to civil society actors and businesses on these issues, and uses his academic expertise to support partners in the field in developing concrete courses of action—most recently, for example, the so-called “Nordstadtliga” in Dortmund. Since 2012, he has been a professor of practice-oriented political science at Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Presentation: Civic Data Lab - Rage Against the Machine Learning?
AI: Between Myth and Legend
Keynote: A Report on the Use of AI in Civil Society (and the Demand for It) and What We at the Civic Data Lab Have Learned from This for Practical Application. Beginning with an assessment of the impact of increased AI use on civil society, we will weigh the opportunities, risks, and alternatives associated with civil society’s use of AI from strategic, economic, and ethical perspectives.
Introductory AI Workshop / Link to the preparatory course
Preparation for the Workshop “Rage Against the Machine Learning?”—AI Between Myth and Fable
In the workshop, we’ll apply what we learned from the keynote to your own practice and discuss possible next steps.
Our e-learning module on basic AI skills will help you get started. We recommend completing it beforehand (duration: approx. 2 hours): Basic AI Skills for the Common Good(Opens in a new tab)
Your commitment counts. The platform for your commitment
"Our aim with the "Dein Engagement" platform is to address students as potential volunteers and to create low-threshold access to volunteering opportunities in Dortmund."