Waffels and Coffee: Is Germany Fair? Discussion Group Event

“Waffle” can be defined as both the delicious sweet desert we are all familiar with but also as “to talk or write a lot without giving any useful information or any clear answers”¹

…we thought we’d do both. And wash it down with some coffee.

Waffles and Coffee is the name of a new series of Discussion Group events organised by Contemporary Art Exchange (CAE) – Australian curator and arts educator Kate Martin and German psychology student and photographer David Brehme.

After Kate previously established a series of Discussion Groups on contemporary art practice related themes during CAE’s time in Edinburgh she has now joined forces with David to open out the discussions to wider topics. We now want to create an opportunity to explore the intersection of contemporary art and broader societal issues.

Waffles and Coffee seeks to combine Kate’s current research interests in nationalism, cultural identity and globalisation with David’s interests in critical psychology, politics, economics and just about anything else that’s making headlines.

So come and join us for an informal discussion, exchange, chat or waffle if you will, and a chance to improve your English skills. You don’t have to be an academic or an artist – anyone from any background or discipline is welcome. We’ve posted up some articles and video clips we think are relevant (but are in no way obligatory). Feel free to add to the list too.

When and where: Saturday 22nd June, 11am-1pm, CAE Headquaters (we’ll send the address upon confirmation of attendance)

Please email kate@contemporaryartexchage.org to let us know you’re coming as seats in our wee flat and coffee rations are limited!

In our first discussion Is Germany Fair? we want to explore the question of fairness in the context of Germany today, focussing on sub-themes such as education, housing and gentrification, jobs and opportunities, education and economics with questions such as:

• What is “fairness”? Can it be measured and how is it measured?
• What constitutes a “fair” society?
• What role does the individual play in “being fair”?
• Is it fair that some earn as much in an hour as others earn in a year’s time?
• Can a country where every 7^th child is on benefits (aka Hartz4) be considered fair?
• Is inequality and poverty in Germany a structural problem or something that can be erradicated with better social policy?
• Is it fair that a child’s educational attainment still heavily depends on their family background?
• Should people revolt against gentrification?

http://www.dw.de/poverty-statistics-do-not-tell-the-whole-story/a-16710068

http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/rc10_eng.pdf

http://www.thelocal.de/money/20120920-45095.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_jackson_s_economic_reality_check.html

1. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/waffle_1