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.

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Publications

News

Cooperation/International Affairs

Juniorprofessorship

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

Discussion: Can forests have rights?

The GHL seminar series continues on Thursday, April 30th with a Panel Discussion bringing together Matthias Kramm, Jenny García Ruales, Alejandro Mora Motta, Clément Roux and Rosario Figari Layús for a conversation on: Can forests have rights? Forests, indigenous meanings, and the sociocultural implications of the “rights of nature”. 30.04.2026 16:00-18:00 Global Heritage Lab / P26, Bonn

New publication: „Geschlechterzuschreibungen der (Un-)Versöhnlichkeit“

We are pleased to announce the publication of the anthology „Geschlechterzuschreibungen der (Un-)Versöhnlichkeit“, edited by Christine G. Krüger and Victoria Fischer.

German Colonialism and its First Genocide

On 11 March 2026, scholars and experts gathered in Bonn to discuss the historical and political dimensions of German colonialism and the genocide against the Herero and Nama in Namibia.

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 ...

Wednesday Mar 11, 2026

Panel discussion: German Colonialism and its first Genocide

Academy of International ...

06:00 PM - 07:30 PM

As Europe rethinks its foreign policy amidst shifting global political relations, one question remains central: Can cooperation succeed without confronting ...