Interview with Benedikt Kern

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

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 …

Conceptualizing Social Resilience in Migrants’ Lived Experiences

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. …

Oxytocin, Resilience, and the Politics of Human Enhancement

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 …

Enduring the Valley: Lessons in Social Resilience from Prophet Muhammad’s Struggle in Shi’eb Abi Talib

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

“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 …

“Stop calling me RESILIENT”

 “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 …

Thriving Together: Why You Need “Social Resilience – A Primer for All” on Your Shelf Today

Create a Stronger Community: Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf Today As part of a public engagement initiative to make scientific knowledge child-friendly, an essay expanding on the core concepts of this book was published by the University of Münster. You can read the full article and explore the “ABC of Social Resilience” online …

The Tidö Agreement drags Sweden’s social welfare sector into ethical crisis

Azher Hameed Qamar – This article was originally published at The Loop and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Qamar, A. H. (2023, October 16). The Tidö Agreement drags Sweden’s social welfare sector into ethical crisis. The Loop – ECPR’s Political Science Blog. https://theloop.ecpr.eu/the-tido-agreement-drags-swedens-social-welfare-sector-into-ethical-crisis/ The Swedish government has proposed an obligation that would …