To mark the opening of the Year of Science, organizations gathered at the HSZG to discuss structural change.

To mark the opening of the 2018–2019 Year of Science, the HSZG invited guests from the surrounding area who are helping to shape structural change in the Lausitz. Representatives from large and small organizations briefly introduced themselves at the networking event and discussed how, following the phase-out of lignite, industry and the population can be retained in Lausitz and how a livable future can be shaped.

So, can thriving landscapes emerge on the old coal slag heaps in the future?

To begin, Heike Zettwitz described the situation in the Görlitz district from the perspective of Wirtschaftsregion Lausitz GmbH. Her presentation highlighted the many good existing initiatives, as well as current restrictions and challenges. The Wirtschaftsinitiative Lausitz e.V. was represented by Katrin Bartsch. Among other things, she specifically supports startups founded by people from Lausitz and guides entrepreneurs from the initial idea through to implementation. Diana Schieback from the Bündnis Zukunft Oberlausitz (BZOL) provided an overview of her organization.

In his brief presentation, Frank Großmann from the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce explained how industry and commerce are helping to shape structural change in the Lausitz region. Their strength lies in supporting existing initiatives to avoid creating duplicate structures. Katharina Sende introduced the Bautzen University of Cooperative Education, which nurtures and trains the next generation of talent for local companies. Olaf Franke participated in the discussion on behalf of Marketing-Gesellschaft Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien mbH and explained how the new tourism concept for the Upper Lusatia region works. Günter Küpper presented the child- and family-friendly Geozentrum Zittau, before Kirstin Zinke, the director of the Knappenrode Energy Plant, gave a brief talk on its significance for the region’s development. Using Knappenrode as an example, she recounted the historical migration patterns of young men who built the briquette factory, then brought their families to join them and established a life in a settlement close to their workplace.

Ute Wolf from the Görlitz District Job Center established a thematic connection to employers in the region. Lukas Stöckmann introduced the opportunity to engage in crafts and explore manual skills at the Polytechnic Workshop in Zittau and Freiraum Zittau e.V.

The subsequent discussion—moderated, like the preceding presentations, by Antje Hermenau—provided a framework for working with all visitors to develop plans on how to improve life in Lausitz. Throughout the event, all participants adhered to the principle of listening to one another, sharing different perspectives, and respecting differing opinions. Many contributions highlighted the urgency of the issue—decisions about the future of Lausitz are being made today and in the coming months!

During the closing reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, ideas and impressions were discussed in smaller groups. Lausitz is more than the sum of its individual self-interests, and productive collaboration among the various stakeholders was viewed by all participants as a worthwhile goal. The event was thus a small but important step in the right direction.

Text: Kristin Wappler, Martin Kunack

Photos: Martin Kunack

Contact:

Martin Kunack

Site Manager, Saxony5

Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences

Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (ZIT)

Phone: +4935836124793

Email: Martin.Kunack@hszg.de