OUT OF RESISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
In co-operation with Volkshilfe Vienna and Republican Club - New Austria
Michael Häupl, Barbara Prainsack, Natascha Strobl
OUT OF RESISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
Can we learn from history?
Greeting:
Gertraud Auer Borea d’Olmo, Kreisky Forum
Tanja Wehsely, Volkshilfe Vienna
Introduction:
Alexander Emanuely, writer, cultural scientist
In dialogue:
Michael Häupl, President of Volkshilfe Wien
Barbara Prainsack, University of Vienna, Research Group Contemporary Solidarity Studies
Natascha Strobl, political scientist and publicist
Moderation Christa Zöchling, Journalist
In 1922, in the early years of the young First Republic, the aid organisation Societas was founded to alleviate the incomprehensible hardship after the First World War. Societas was an association of mainly Viennese welfare organisations of the workers' movement at district level and worked closely with the state welfare services and those of the Vienna City Administration, Red Vienna and other private welfare organisations. This organisation, which emerged from civil society, wanted to help and intervene where the state lacked resources, regardless of origin or religion. The aim was not only to be charitable, but also to fight poverty politically. The Societas was banned in 1934. On 21 March 1947, Volkshilfe was founded in the spirit of Societas. Then, as now, it was not just about handing out charity to the needy, but about meeting people in need on an equal footing, supporting them and offering them a new perspective.
Whether and to what extent can we learn from history? How do the desire for more solidarity and cohesion and the increasing isolation in our society fit together? What impetus is needed from politics and civil society to counter the many crises and to enable a good life for as many people as possible? Can history provide orientation and confidence for a less predictable future?
Alexander Emanuely:
Out of resistance and solidarity. Prehistory and foundation of Volkshilfe.
With a contribution by Erich Fenninger, Soziale Zusammen Arbeit.
echomedia buchverlag 2022, 24,89 €