Man and mouse under Düsseldorf-dome

by | 24. May 2018

Düsseldorf, Germany | On the occasion of the annual March against Monsanto on 19 May the dome travelled to Düsseldorf. It was in good company on the grass-covered Graf-Adolf-Platz: with the Monsanto high-rise as a scenery, it was surrounded by stands of environmental activists and other politically interested people.

The first and for this day only scheduled Dome Talk started around 13.15, shortly after the demonstrators had set off with their fanfares through the city. Invited representatives of organisations such as Pulse of Europe, the Young European Federalists or Attac, but also Diem25, We are Europe and some of the exhibitors dared to start. Gradually more discussants joined in to make their point of view heard. The first dog also made it under the dome as a quiet listener.

A wide range of topics could be covered. The environmental question was of course a central issue, but profound questions were also raised about the necessity of utopia to achieve set goals and the possibility of change from the bottom up, for example through the rejection of existing capitalist structures. In addition, a debate on the subject of freedom drew comparisons with the 1968 movement. In this context the question was raised, who would had to change, the I or the state and whether the I still has this choice nowadays. One example was the refusal to use a mobile phone.

“We can’t degenerate into a “if only we had done this” and “if we did this, that could happen” but we also have to sometimes clearly highlight our successes and see that we already have a big influence.”

Participant

European Public Sphere

Video from the Dome Talk in Düsseldorf on 19 May 2018

Once again, the political system was criticised in general: although it is clearly stated in the Constitution that all power comes from the people and that the parties represent this people, one nowadays has the feeling that it is the other way around and that citizens become the parties’ and lobbyists’ henchman. One could might as well wonder whether we were still living in a real democracy.

However, confronted with all the criticism, two participants reminded the audience to not burn the house to fright the mouse away. Of course problems remain, but we must also emain positive and acknowledge and spread more widely what we have already achieved with the help of the European project. In addition, investments in education were mentioned as a key solution, also in terms of equal opportunities for all in alternative, highly sought-after, but so-far only private concepts such as Walldorf schools.

Just in time for the end of the official part, the demonstrators came back. Thanks to the great interest, the discussion continued in small groups. When the event was finished around 6 p.m. we had been given all kinds of seedlings, vegetables and other ideas on the subject of Europe and the environment. We are curious what awaits us at the next stop in Wesel!

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