Interview with Benedikt Kern from the Ökumenisches Netzwerk Asyl in der Kirche in Nordrhein-Westfalen Azher Hameed Qamar First published at Cofund MDC Space. Read the original here. This interview was conducted with Benedikt Kern, a theologian who works at the Ökumenisches Netzwerk Asyl in der Kirche in Nordrhein-Westfalen. As part of my work on migration, diaspora, …
At the Edge of Humanity: Reflections on the Movie Green Border and Enacted Resilience (2023) Azher Hameed Qamar First published at Cofund MDC Space. Read the original here. Recently, as part of the COFUND (Migration, Diaspora and Citizenship) project at the University of Münster, I suggested the movie Green Border by Agnieszka Holland at Cineplex Münster. What began as …
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Social Resilience: Tracing Conceptual Evolutions and Theoretical Pathways What exactly do we mean when we talk about social resilience? The term has gained traction in recent years, especially in discussions about sustainability, well being, and how communities cope with crises. Yet, definitions of social resilience vary widely, often focusing narrowly on the ability to “withstand” or …
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Rethinking Climate Adaptation: A Social Lens on Resilience Climate change research has paid little attention to the social dimensions of resilience and their link to social capital. The article “Social dimensions of resilience and climate change: a rapid review of theoretical approaches” reviews 27 studies (18 directly relevant) to explore how social capital connects with …
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Conceptualizing Social Resilience in Migrants’ Lived Experiences What does it really mean for migrants to be “resilient”? Too often, resilience is described as an individual skill or capacity, overlooking the fact that it is also a deeply social process shaped by relationships, institutions, and lived experiences. This article rethinks social resilience as lived experience of migrants. …
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Host: Azher Hameed Qamar Oxytocin and its Role in Political and Social Life A talk with Julian Reid. Julian Reid is a professor (of International Relations) at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland, Finland. In this talk, he discussed his interest in the role of Oxytocin in addressing political and social problems, including …
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Enduring the Valley: Lessons in Social Resilience from Prophet Muhammad’s Struggle in Shi’eb Abi Talib History is often told in grand battles and political shifts, but some of the most powerful stories are those forged in quiet endurance—moments when communities survive not with force, but with faith, love, and unshakeable bonds. One such story is …
“Islam” and Muslims in the Media Disclaimer: This article is an English-language adaptation of the original German post “Der Islam und Muslim*innen in den Medien” (July 2024), which appears on the MEDIA SERVICE INTEGRATION website. The purpose of this translation is to make the key findings and resources accessible to a broader international audience. Media …
Rethinking Democracy: The Urgent Need for Inclusive and Respectful Discourse Azher Hameed Qamar In today’s political climate, where fear and polarization often dominate public discourse, the language used by political leaders matters more than ever. Across Europe and beyond, we are witnessing the rise of parties that present themselves as defenders of democracy and national …
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“Every Time You Say, ‘Oh, They’re So Resilient,’ That Means You Can Do Something Else to Me.” What does it really mean to call someone “resilient”? And who benefits from it? People often use the word “resilient” as a compliment for those who’ve been through really tough times. It sounds like praise — like saying …