Emotional Utopias-
how does emotional security strengthen our democracy?

Democracy needs trust. But how can it be built? Marie-Luise Hünerbein (Bochum University of Applied Sciences) asks what a democracy might look like that places people’s emotional security at its heart.

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Event has already taken place

16.

April

2026

16. April 2026 – 16. April 2026

18:00 – 19:00

Querenburg Public Library, Querenburger Höhe 270, 44801 Bochum

Free

To register

Speaker: Marie-Luise Hünerbein (Bochum University of Applied Sciences)

Emotional security is more than just a personal need – it is a social and democratic resource. When people feel secure, seen and connected to one another, this lays the foundation for trust, participation and active involvement.

Marie-Luise Hünerbein explores how addressing human needs can promote social stability. As a qualified special needs teacher, she asks: What might a democracy look like that does not leave emotional security to chance, but understands it as the basis of its cohesion?

This event is part of the ‘Wissensrunde Utopien’ lecture series organised by vhs, the City Library and UniverCity Bochum e.V. on the way to the House of Knowledge.

Registration helps with planning but is not compulsory for attendance.

Knowledge roundtable on utopias: How do we want to live in the future?

The event is part of our event series: Wissensrunde! In order to address current topics, UniverCity Bochum e.V., vhs Bochum, and the city library have launched the “Wissensrunde” event series. Almost every month, people from the Bochum scientific community are invited to give insights into their research and engage in conversation with the audience.
In 2026, the answer is: utopias! How do we want to live in the future? Between the climate crisis, AI, and challenges to democracy and cohesion, this question is becoming increasingly urgent. Utopian visions of the future often seem further away than ever before. That’s exactly what we want to change with our lecture series Knowledge Roundtable Utopias!