Science Year Fragile Freedom
On June 13, researcher Dr. Vasil Navumau talks about his escape from Belarus.
In the event series “Fragile Freedom” refugee researchers share their individual experiences of loss of freedom that forced them to flee. Their experiences emphasize the need to actively stand up for the preservation of democratic values. The public talks take place at various universities in Germany and offer an opportunity for exchange between the refugee researchers and the audience.
The kick-off takes place on June 13, 2024 at Ruhr University with the scientist Dr. Vasil Navumau from Belarus. The English-language event will begin at 6 p.m. in the "Haus der Geschichte des Ruhrgebiets", Clemensstraße 17, 44789 Bochum. Mareike Ilsemann from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation will moderate the event.
Vasil Navumau works at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) and the Institute for Social Movements (ISB) at Ruhr University. His research focuses on socio-political transformation, digital government and democratic communication between the population and the government. When activists in Belarus faced increasing repression in 2020 and a citizens' initiative in which he was involved had to be shut down, he left the country to avoid imprisonment. With the support of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, he came to Ruhr University in 2021.
In total there will be five public dialogue events with refugee researchers at their universities of refuge. The dialogues will later be published as podcasts.