Bonn Center for Reconciliation Studies

At the Bonn Center for Reconciliation Studies, researchers from diverse disciplines—such as the humanities, social sciences, law, and history—work collaboratively to develop theories and methodologies aimed at understanding, analysing, and promoting processes of reconciliation.

About us

Research Objectives

When, why and how is "reconciliation" achieved in different cultures - after a ceasefire or a first public commitment to peace? How are the terms “reconciliation” and “peace” used in different cultural and historical contexts, when and why? Scientists research these questions and develop a "paternalism-free" working definition of "reconciliation" that enables a dialogue with the cooperation partners and future-oriented cooperation in the field of development policy.

Learn more

Publications

News

Cooperation/International Affairs

Juniorprofessorship

Reconciliation – A Utopia? 31.05.2026

Since a “duty to reconcile” would amount to nothing more than a paradox, a “right to irreconcilability” standing in opposition to such a “duty” would be a matter of course. Why mention it at all? But since the word “reconciliation” possesses a certain magic that lends its aura to the series title RECONCILIATION—A UTOPIA?, it would be stylistically inappropriate to speak too dryly. Yet there is a great risk of being seduced into falling back on the slick rhetoric of church conventions. Perhaps the magic of the word “reconciliation”—as mentioned earlier—might first need to be undermined in order to see more clearly. Is there such a thing as a pragmatic approach to living together without reconciliation? Or at least something like spheres of “diluted (non)reconciliation”? After all, as the Book of Job seems to teach, one has been able to make peace with God on this basis.

Report on the Berlin Field Trip, May 2026

As part of the seminar „Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung im öffentlichen Raum: Gerechtigkeit, Erinnerung und Versöhnung im internationalen Vergleich“ led by Jun.-Prof. Rosario Figari Layus, the students took part in a two-day field trip to Berlin. The focus was on various memorial sites and remembrance initiatives that primarily address Germany’s colonial history, a topic that is often overlooked.

The Center for Reconciliation Studies has moved

The center has moved and is now located in new premises at Lennéstraße 25, 53113 Bonn.

New Publication: Images of War Captivity from 1870 to the Present

We are pleased to announce the publication of the anthology "Images of War Captivity from 1870 to the Present"Edited by Esther Gardei, Marion Gymnich, Charlie Schwall und Hans-Georg Soeffner

Tuesday May 19, 2026

Reconciliation – A Utopia? Art and Science in Dialogue

Theater Bonn

07:30 PM

(Ir)reconciliation between East and West Germany Bonn—perhaps the most “West German” city in the Federal Republic. Traces of the former federal capital are ...

Thursday Apr 30, 2026

Discussion: Can forests have rights?

Global Heritage Lab / ...

04:00 PM

The GHL seminar series continues on Thursday, April 30th with a Panel Discussion bringing together Matthias Kramm, Jenny García Ruales, Alejandro Mora Motta, ...

Thursday Apr 16, 2026 until Apr 21, 2026

Versöhnung – eine Utopie? KUNST UND WISSENSCHAFT IM GESPRÄCH

Theater Bonn

07:30 PM

No Islam Without Judaism It is not just since October 7, 2023, that people have been talking about supposedly imported antisemitism—especially those whose ...

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026

“Argentina 50 Years After the Coup: Human Rights Under Pressure.”

Ibero-Amerikanischen ...

06:00 PM

Fifty years after the last civil-military coup in Argentina, and as part of the Day of Remembrance, Truth, and Justice, we, together with the Ibero-American ...