Reflections on the Unique Academic Experience at Bergische Uni-Wuppertal

   Embarking on a personal journey to Germany, I was often told in my small community, where I have lived for almost thirty years, “If you want to chill out and find the right way of living, where you can build your personality academically and professionally, go to Germany.”

It reflects a reasonable perception people rely on to describe what they think about Germany. I am still determining precisely how this judgment was created in my rural town, mainly where only a few individuals have visited or experienced Germany. This perception is likely attributable to the personal experiences some of them have had there and brought back to their place of origin later on, experiences that we can all relate to and empathize with, as well as the positive contribution played by the media.

I, however, can attest to this statement. In Germany, you can find whatever you wish!

My passion grew out of two academic experiences I had in Germany. First, a one-week trip in 2014 sponsored by Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, and second, a conference in 2015 that took place in Frankfurt, hosted by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Both experiences inspired me to pursue more learning opportunities in the country. My efforts came to fruition when I participated in a scholarship program of NRW at Bergische University of Wuppertal during the winter semester of 2016. Through this more extended experience, the previous stereotypical perception of the German academic community faded away. Irrespective of whether the language is a barrier, it doesn’t withhold the other positive aspects.

I’m not yet proficient in German. However, for non-German speakers, the resources provided by the academic community inevitably incorporate students and encourage them to find their place. Even if faced with an unclear environment because of a language barrier, the international scholarly community the university creates helps students acclimate as much as possible, allowing students to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of other scholars.

A nice sight was taken from my office at the campus

In addition to these common stereotypes, another exists within outside communities regarding the environment in general. For example, I opened a panel discussion on several occasions concerning the history of the 20th century, highlighting WW II. The typical summative statement is often similar to, “It’s hard to imagine that Germany could get rid of the ramifications of WW II; even if it could do so, it would go on plagued with trauma.”

Undoubtedly, such a statement comes from those who have barely visited Germany. It’s indeed used anecdotally as the base of their stereotypical knowledge. However, educational conduits aimed at bridging understanding represent an antithesis to the abovementioned perception. Therefore, a modest initiative such as NRW’s scholarship program pushes scholars to upgrade academically and break down misconceptions through the knowledge they earn there.

As someone who eagerly believes that cultural exchange bridges the unbridgeable, I can firmly state that my experience at the Bergische University of Wuppertal went beyond my expectations.

I’m not a chemist busy with chemical elements or a physicist busy with Newton’s theories of gravity; specialties might impose on scholars an academic lifestyle confined to laboratories, often cut off from society. I’m, however, a researcher whose field of interest necessitates exploring not only the host institution itself but society, culture, government and its performance, history, domestic and foreign policy, and contemporary issues that the entire nation grapples with. This research has helped me determine what Germany means for my country and me. It refers to the gap I’m striving to fill through this understanding of many aspects of German affairs, such as political architecture that the German Political Foundations present in my country. These foundations are politically affiliated with the key political parties in parliament (Bundestag), which represent my research focus.   

This exemplifies how I took advantage of my stay in Wuppertal. I focused on what answered the questions I had prepared before I arrived, many of which my host professor answered.

In the academic sphere, I touched on how critical thinking is a feasible rule for problem-solving and reasoning, how it’s applied in tackling dilemmas that occur under stressful situations, and the cognitive skills necessary in this challenging modern technological era. In this regard, my host professor was generous, allocating time not only for his work in the office but for providing me with new knowledge through books and publications, in addition to the time he spent discussing different contemporary matters Germany deals with generally. He is a pundit and analytically captures realistic case studies. I could practically experience the critical thinking process, a much-needed skill in our educational institutions. Additionally, he is an intellectual whose work illuminated the reality of Marx’s theories and the intellectual confrontation with capitalism through his published studies and in a debate organized by intellectuals at a conference held to discuss the crisis of capitalism. Our discussion sessions also provided me with valuable insights for my academic endeavors.  

My host prof. Heinz Sunker inside a conference hall gives a speech at Hegel House in Wuppertal. It revolved around the crisis of capitalism. U.S. philosopher Nancy Fraser was a guest speaker

The knowledge I gained there has pushed me further into theoretical analysis. I’m currently trying to create a community of open-minded researchers to continue developing our understanding and modernizing the task of fact-finding and experience exchange so that we can later introduce outcomes to the global academic community. Thus, my host professor encouraged me to develop this community, concluding the last discussion by saying, “Read… read… read!”

With my host professor and his partner Prof. Jo Moran

Regarding the university as a system, the applied approach of bringing international students is admirable, which is why Wuppertal University is an example of a cozy and open-minded academic environment where I can find the image of the world in front of me. As a scholar who is fond of cultural exchange, I benefited significantly from the regular sessions designed for this goal and organized by the International Student Team (IST). I enrolled in an intensive German course, which was an excellent chance to meet international students and German nationals at the cultural forum. I experienced multiculturalism, and I saw my image in the mirror of others. If you are qualified and open-minded to other cultures, this reality will incontrovertibly make you better off with far-sighted goals.

1. The Center for Graduate Studies is an excellent example of recruiting Ph.D. researchers or candidates who have already begun their projects overseas. It is organized by a team of specialists who can offer mentorship during different phases of their research projects, including the possibility of providing full-paid scholarships in cooperation with DAAD to gain more experience and share theirs. Therefore, researchers can find a welcoming academic realm and what makes their thoughts applicable to their educational efforts due to the nature of compatibility, pluralism, interaction, and acceptance, as well as the availability of resources at libraries or local institutions depending on your need
2. In the end, an enormous amount of knowledge is expected to be earned through academic hospitality and attractiveness, which push students to pursue more opportunities that require additional efforts and encourage the candidate to keep educating himself. If language is a barrier, the strong motivation to achieve the desired goals will burden it.

Of course, this diversity of the international community at the university helps to overcome whatever the barriers are. German course team.

In the public sphere and society, I touched upon how Germans cherish their language, culture, and heritage; you only find signs written in German, even in public places. Germans take pride in documenting any important event, putting up amazingly sculpted statues and murals where ideas are captured with artistic insinuations. Inscriptions refer to historical events or people who left remarkable accomplishments culturally, academically, politically, and economically throughout history.

 This sculpture placed on pedestal keeps the reminiscence of this historical figure vivid within his society

I liked the artistic style at public places in Germany especially the meaningful insinuations it reflects 

My experience included several exploratory field tours, including one conducted at the parliament headquarters of NRW in Dusseldorf to learn about the decision-making process, political deliberations, caucuses, parties, and other related issues. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to conduct a tour to explore the high court and the situation of people with disabilities at rehabilitation centers, and it would have been interesting to learn how this category is treated.

Inside the auditorium of political debate. Every political party has special hall devoted to discussion

Outside the parliamentarian headquarter (NRW)

I can say that my experience during my stay at both the university and in local society wasn’t aimless and fruitless, given that I acquired several promising leads that will be helpful for building on in my future academic career. In addition to these accomplishments, I assert that we could build up a renaissance with perseverance and persistence. This is the lesson I learned from the Germans, whose nation was rebuilt after being ruined.

To do so accordingly, education is the savior and the bridge we should be courageous enough to climb. I hope there will be another chance to pursue my higher education at this university or another in the foreseeable future.        

The status of freedom of expression in Palestinian society under the shadow of foreign political foundations

    Freedom of expression is a value that human beings are incessantly calling for. There have been restive times that enormous figures of people the world over have passed through defending this value and discarded dilemmas coming out of realms where freedom of expression is decayed given to erroneous practices to this value as well, even many have lost their lives while in the mid of a fierce battle with the violators of freedom of expression. Those could be totalitarian regimes or insurrectionist groups that act for specific agendas and push them to plunge into the swamps where freedom of expression is violated.

By this token, the world has witnessed excruciating experiences of people fighting relentless battles to secure their rights to express themselves freely. Sometimes, regimes apply an iron fist approach to their people, which has eroded this value from its nobility.

What substantiates this argument is that it is worth an indomitable struggle in the international arena, represented by its leading players who emphasize that the right of freedom of expression is unalienable as stipulated in their covenants. Therefore, almost all countries have items in their constitutions, and formal decrees ensure this right. However, many people still reluctantly and barely express themselves when media outlets are restrained due to dictations imposed upon them by rulers, who ignore what is enshrined in their constitutions.

Furthermore, this value reflects people's spirit toward experiencing their various orientations, accompanied by their need to ask their rulers to dignify their lives, express their attitudes when they flare up against power abuse, and hold the abusers accountable.

On the ground, many remarkable instances of freedom of expression might be refining our perception of how freedom is experienced in different societies. Therefore, when looking at Palestinian society, it's incumbent upon us to keep in mind that this value is a double-edged sword due to the critical political situation, either internally or externally, including the Israeli side, and the pressure of the International Community through human rights organizations that monitor the status of freedoms.

Similarly to other countries, freedom of expression is one of the main tenets enshrined in the Palestinian charter, and the political discourse of the Palestinian leadership is tailored in a way that means that the freedom of expression is an inalienable right ensured for every citizen. However, what has been going on in reality proves the opposite in both geographically separated areas, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Despite these challenges, Palestinian society has shown remarkable resilience, with freedom journalism, especially investigative journalism, being policy-oriented and not having absolute freedom in terms of criticizing the government's practices. This resilience is a beacon of hope, inspiring us to strive for a future where freedom of expression is a reality for all.

This right is practiced in various forms, such as women's issues, where women have become more impulsive in creating assemblies. People with disabilities could also expressly advocate for a society where egalitarianism prevails. However, their discourses keep politics out most often.

Delving profoundly into this theme, we find out that this fundamental right is only suspended with tireless claimants and defenders who document any encroachment on the freedom of expression or other related rights. However, the reality indicates that this right needs to grow. We can capture the fact that this right is still maintained through strenuous efforts being exerted by many local foreign players from different countries like Germany who monitor this within the Palestinian society.

These players are dedicated to acting in many fields, such as political education, one of the missions the German political foundations are working on. Six German political foundations are acting multilaterally on the Palestinian side, aiming to tackle and support society through engagement with local operative partners reflecting the Palestinian political and social landscape. These foundations polarize to embrace their vital voices in valuable activities. The most outstanding German actors that have been the vanguards in highlighting freedom issues are the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, and Friedrich-Naummen Foundation for Freedom. Their efforts give hope for a future where freedom of expression is a reality for all, reassuring us that change is possible.

Undoubtedly, the freedom of expression here isn't stagnant, but it can rely on actors from different backgrounds, either culturally or politically. The new experiences that the politicians and civil society activists in the Palestinian mainstream are exposed to lead to a conceivable scene where the thoughts are being sharpened, galvanizing the conception of how the freedom of experience right is being applied and regulated in a society like Germany which has proven a wide-scale success according to the international standard. The successful German experience was a beacon of hope, inspiring Palestinian society to strive for similar achievements and encouraging us to continue our efforts.

As we consider the role of German political foundations in Palestinian society, many questions arise. How are these foundations contributing to the promotion of freedom of expression? Are they truly making a difference?

The aforementioned political foundations act as non-state actors and represent conduits that show the target groups the mechanisms that must be applied to build up a spotless background of how to practice this right. They also introduce them to the German successful experience, which generates eagerness to follow it up.

At first glance, these foundations urge the general public to ramp up their efforts to confront the ruling authority, which might end up in violent confrontation due to demanding this right. On the contrary, these foundations don't implement instigating or interference strategies; it's all about flourishing the target groups with the necessary knowledge and embracing creative ideas that stir up their motivations to get them into circles where they can capture specific political and social issues that essentially constitute pillars for a healthy society where the followers have democratic tools to have a dialogue either with the ruling authority or among differing conflicting groups.

A political foundation like Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), which is closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is a well-versed think-tank that aims at analyzing the political situations worldwide and intellectually supporting the gifted pioneers through civic education at different social and political levels to improve their reality according to their trends. It transfers the values of the Christian Democratic based on promoting freedom, liberty, peace, and justice. It deals with a complicated realm in the Occupied Palestinian Territories where it handles a situation in which the freedom of expression is affected by a kind of spoilage on the one hand and from the Israeli occupation on the other hand through educational channels.

Informal conduits act in the mid of the conflict

“Non-state actors in the mantle of Israeli-Palestinian conflict”

Wherever in this globe conflicts take a colorful shape, not as we think used to be in their familiar image shows that they all about a battlefield where conflicting sides fighting one another irrespective of what shape does it take this confrontation. This is a cursory glance at the conflicts.

However, conflicts formulate a periphery where miscellaneous actors existent at many spheres acting in the confrontational circles, each of which has own goals and agenda why working in conflict zones or what sort of products these actors are playing on.  

Therefore, conflict is an unparalleled realm to other realms that enjoy pacifism which is in our perspective of international relations aren’t considerably a fertile environment call up different actors to come in and act inside in order for putting down hostilities through educational tools might be jointly between the conflicting sides.

Taking a look at the Israeli-Palestinian scene, we can figure out different kind of conflict has been going on for decades passing through impassable paths in most often causing fluctuations at political and social arena. It’s thinkable that this situation shattered apart the standards of dignified life and  ended up seeking a firm intervention by multiple parties to patch up what have been deteriorated for long years due to the fragility of the ground that presumably is a robust where both sides should have already built up sustainable understandings.

The nature of violent confrontation between Palestinians and Israelis has shaped a status quo imposes intervention on the respective actors abroad to plunge into this ramified confrontational circle for repairing what have been torn apart, even in an attempt to restore the irreparable parts. Therefore, the International Community especially the countries that are close allies to both Israel-Palestine sides in certain policies conceive this conflict from another angle believing that compromising the conflict through formal diplomatic and political conduits isn’t always the feasible solution, but disregarding the local level where contiguously both sides are living without absolute reconcilable relationships. These countries realize that the local civil society ought to be targeted as well in a step pleasing kind of equilibrium at both sides in line with bottom-up approach of resolving conflicts.

Undoubtedly, the tangible consequences of this endless confrontation sharpen the attention of the civil society organizations or (NGOs) that act in many fields to provide the required remedies for rebuilding the conflict-ridden communities specifically at the Palestinian side.

Delving profoundly into this non-governmental sector, whether already founded NGOs which receive funding from abroad to enhance their activities or foreign NGOs act at both sides, we can touch upon the ongoing activities organized to recruit individuals at their different ages that aim at strengthening certain values through educational tools to fill the vacuums, and drawing out the nuggets that have made the target groups dysfunctional because of the conflict which these civil society organizations dedicated to work on, believing that it’s a way for conflict mitigation especially the ones that take a common ground model at both sides.

As the agenda of these NGOs are inextricably interwoven with the prerequisites of troubled societies that reflect the tangible implications of this conflict, we can see how these NGOs impinge on the aspirations of each side toward prosperous future at the grassroots, and contribute to fleshing out the thoughts in real enterprises. Of course, this collision between the services provided by these actors with the dire need of both societies for changeable status quo, generates a new joint culture brings about  convergence of views that these actors mainly work for.

What catches our interest to explore much more these non-state actors in the mid of conflict in terms of where are they come from, donors, their implicit agenda, what have been accomplished by whether at social or political spheres, and are they feasible for conflict transformation or they just merely an existing manifestations imposed by the nature of the conflict. Moreover, the clashing orientations at both sides bring up more queries of how these organizations handling them in order to guarantee the trust and endorsement of the target groups.

In fact, German political foundations as international non-state actors act unilaterally and bilaterally at both sides, have a remarkable presence. These foundations are closely associated with the major political parties at German parliament (Bundestag) are; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Hanns Seidel Foundation and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for freedom.

 The universal posture distinguishes them, their work is not only practiced within Israeli-Palestinian communities. So, this pushes us to wonder how act these German conduits in a conflict zone. Considering the fields that these foundations work in, we can fire a quick impression that they aim at developing both conflicting societies through embedding the democratic values, creating an environment where people can speak out highlighting certain issues, like conflict-induced dilemmas in the Palestinian side, empowering women, rule of law, environmental issues, reporting and censoring human rights abuse at both sides, enhancing conviviality through joint initiatives that considered an obstacle encounters them, and meeting the minimum needs of the Palestinian side toward an independent state on the one hand, and ensuring that both sides could step up together towards a promising future on the other hand.

It’s incontrovertible to ascribe their presence as somewhat influential as the official diplomatic channels running multilaterally to reach an end to this conflict culminated with the most recent Paris’s initiative for a new series of negotiations, irrespective to what extent have these political foundations topped the list of accomplishments in resolving this conflict.

This is what makes the conflict scene more embellished with these conduits. Thus, the deteriorated situation isn’t left without remedies where these aforementioned foundations acting tirelessly through organizing symposiums where the cultural elite is engaged to discuss various issues even the fateful ones, there are ongoing activities for youth to embrace their ambitions and help them alleviate the negative effects of challenges caused by conflict through conducting researches and analyzing the status quo all the time. Furthermore, it’s an axiomatic reality that these foundations play a good role in embracing the political orientations with new pillars of leading the civil society, good governance, and political education represents the broader scale of these foundations’ agenda. As well as, we can find out the social mobility they contribute to. For instance, at the Palestinian side there are some marginalized social issues being taken into consideration to reach the revival, because the German policy in this area aims at erecting the pillars of change by approaching the societies and meeting their needs.

To sum up, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a fertile environment that provokes the engagement of the international non-state actors within. The German presence through its noticeable political foundations add up distinguishable traits to this conflict reflect the developmental process socially and politically at the local level sponsored by these foundations.

The Germany political foundations constitute a reference and incubator for change and policy-makers at both sides rely on in many things through transferring the German deep-seated experience of social and political transformation which represent a role model for many people in this area to interact with.