From the Rhine to the Neisse

A field report by Sven Erik Backhausen

"The piece of paper that wants to be filled" - I couldn't describe my time in the ENO better. But you will find out immediately what it is all about.  

It all started with a move from Cologne to Görlitz in October last year. "Goerlitz? Jung, where is that?” – Yes, I often had to ask myself that question. I almost had to justify to some that it was a voluntary decision of mine and that I'm looking forward to moving to this region. And not only in front of the people at home - even in Görlitz, many seemed almost stunned by my move. "What do you want here? Nothing happens here!” a real estate agent asked me almost indignantly during a flat viewing. No, I didn't agree back then and I don't agree now either. There's a lot going on here, even if many don't see it at first glance. And yes, I got the apartment anyway... For me, the reactions are the example par excellence that the walls in our heads are still too high, that we're not close enough and just don't see each other properly yet. I am only too happy to act as an intermediary! Of course, a different mentality is lived here and it just seems to take a little longer to get to know you. A wonderful lecturer said to me with a big wink: "From now on there are only Lusatian granite skulls!" I haven't seen it yet, but if it does exist, I'm looking forward to it! The other side of the coin is that I was able to experience here what encounter and perception at eye level can mean in a university and professional context. I don't have to prove myself here. If I want to get involved and have ideas, I'm welcome. I didn't know that in this form. And that still impresses me a lot. But now to the real story:

"Management of social change" - that's the name of the reason I'm here. What that means exactly is a matter of interpretation. Our society is always changing and to be honest, this can only be shaped to a limited extent. But here in Lusatia, this term takes on a different form. Here a region faces a fundamental change that is experienced “live” and is tangible. A region that wants to be suitable for grandchildren in many places and is ready for a sustainable society. On the other hand, there is also a region that stands in its own way by being obsessively clinging to its past and by the idea that tomorrow's solutions lie in yesterday. Many important voices are not taken seriously. Our society and the way we act must change. This is essential. But how do we shape a sustainable future? This is exactly what we are trying to learn in this master's program at the HSZG in Görlitz. And so that we can quickly get a taste of practice (and also bridge some time), we students are immediately thrown in at the deep end. During an internship, we should be able to experience the change in the region. It was immediately clear to me that I wanted to experience and really understand this structural change in Lusatia that everyone is talking about. How does a region that is facing massive socio-political restructuring organize itself? What new forms of society are emerging here? Can a region already be declared a "European model region" even though many local people do not see themselves as such?! The questions, answers and challenges seem endless. Approaching precisely these questions was what my time at the ENO was all about. After an inspiring and appreciative conversation with Mr. Mimus, a different kind of urgency and openness became clear to me. Namely that new ideas and ways of thinking are needed here and that it takes courage to tackle these ideas and tear down old walls. Nevertheless, some doubts remain: As an outsider, am I allowed to contribute my ideas here at all, even though I don't really "belong" at all? At what point do you belong somewhere and how should I know better than the people here? One thing is certain: the region is definitely not a blank sheet of paper for me, but there are still a few lines left to fill in on this paper. And I consider it a gift that I can fill parts of it! Thank you Gorlitz!