University of Flensburg

How can freedom be preserved in the face of fake news and disinformation? – Europa-Universität Flensburg aims to explore this tension, critically reflect on it, and work together to find potential solutions.

Europe Week at Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF) takes place from May 4 to 8. This year’s focus is on freedom and disinformation—a pressing and timely topic that challenges the very foundations of our democracy. At a time when digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and targeted information campaigns are influencing public debate, striking a balance between freedom of expression and protection against manipulation is becoming increasingly difficult. Europe Week highlights this tension in various formats, encourages critical reflection, and collectively seeks solutions.

“Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our liberal societies. Yet today it is under pressure—from excessive government control as well as from digital algorithms and targeted disinformation campaigns,” says the president of Europa-Universität Flensburg, Prof. Dr. Christiane Hipp. “With Europe Week, we at EUF aim to highlight this tension, invite critical reflection, and work together to find potential solutions.”

A key feature of Europe Week are the European Future Talks, which will take place on Monday, May 4, from 09:15 to 12:15 in the Tallinn Building, Room 007. The event is organized at the invitation of the European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and will be held in English. The European Future Talks address the central question: How can Europe protect its democracy without undermining freedom of expression? The Future Talks are a European Union initiative in which stakeholders from various sectors discuss current European topics in a decentralized format. Invited guests include Delara Burkhardt, Member of the European Parliament; Franziska Leupelt, President of the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Uta Wentzel, Member of the State Parliament; and Bishop Nora Steen. The Future Talks offer an opportunity to engage in direct conversation with them.

On Wednesday, May 6, three exciting talks will explore the topics of freedom and disinformation: Prof. Dr. Hinrich Lorenzen and PD Dr. Merlin Carl from the Institute of Mathematics will give the first talk (12:15, Tallinn Building, Room 007). They will discuss what the future holds for human mathematics in an AI-dominated world.

More philosophical in nature is the talk With a compass, map, and Immanuel Kant: What does it mean to orient oneself in thought? A crash course will be offered on how critical thinking can serve as a guide in a world where disinformation plays a major role. Meet at the entrance to the Tallinn Building at 14:00.

Dr. Stefan Wolff from the Deutsches Museum is a guest at EUF. He will take a look at historical academic exile and the decisions that scientists under National Socialism made regarding whether to emigrate or stay (16:15 in the Tallinn Building, Room 007).

The exhibition Standing for Freedom – Poser pour la liberté offers a contemporary perspective on academic exile and researchers in academic exile. Featuring 15 portraits of academics who were forced to leave their home countries due to political persecution, the exhibition spans the history of academic asylum to current forms of support and resistance.