(Organizers: Prof. Dr. Susanne Maurer, University of Marburg/Germany, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek, University of Freiburg/Germany, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schraut, University of Mannheim/Germany; all of them: members of the network “Frauen & Geschichte Baden-Württemberg e.V.”/Germany)

The Workshop invites colleagues from various disciplines (like Cultural, Media, Social and Educational Studies, IT-Studies) who are, however, engaged in research of “Gender and memory” or “Gender Democracy and the Internet”, and who are interested in a transdisciplinary debate about “Democratization of Collective Memories”, especially in a European perspective. It is focussed on the question how a gender sensible approach concerning “European Places of Memory” can be developed in an innovative way which, in the long run, could also set new standards for historical, sociological and even media studies.

As to create a future “European Consciousness” for and by European citizens themselves the constitution of a critical democratic European tradition seems necessary. Hence a multitude of regional, national and European “Places of memory“ are still to be explored and wait to be presented to (and by!) a broader public – f. e. by means of innovative internet tools.

What could be discussed in the context of the Workshop:

• How can the relevance of gender be recognized while exploring and presenting “Places of Memory”? How can aspects concerning the buried and concealed cultural heritage of European women be investigated and integrated in the common process of “Creating a European memory”? In which way are “Remembrance” and “Memory” immanently charged with notions of masculinity and femininity?
• How can a critical approach of exploring and acknowledging societal experiences of women in Europe on one hand, and the examination of seemingly gender neutral “Places of Memory” on the other hand give way to a “European culture of remembrance” which will be open for both, men and women? (Or: for all “sexes”!)
• Can new kinds of (re)presentation create instructive exemplary studies on images of masculinity and femininity in different European regions and societies? Can f. e. new and innovative Internet-Tools be developed for (re)presentation as well as for different kinds of reception and debate?
• How can new possibilites of access to a multifaceted and pluriform “European Tradition” be opened for as many groups and individuals as possible?

The Organizers will try to get funding for travel expenses and accommodation for participants who will not get funding by their institutions. (Please inform us about this in time!)

Abstracts for proposed papers should be sent before 15th of December 2004 to: