Vision

Kampagnenmotiv der Bewerbung Jenas um das Zukunftszentrum für Deutsche Einheit und Europäische Transformation (ZET). Eine Hand hält eine optische Linse, die den Eichplatz in Jena zeigt
photo: Steffen Walther

Jena is contending for the »Zukunftszentrum – Centre for German Unity and European Transformation« (ZET) with a vision.

From its own experience of a development that was in parts painful but overall successful, the city of Jena, together with the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, has applied to create the “Zukunftszentrum”, a place that will help to learn from the experiences of the past and enable people to face current and future changes in a productive manner. 

In Jena, the Centre for German Unity and European Transformation can be more than just a place for science and politics; it can be a living workshop and an innovative laboratory where visitors can use their own and others’ experiences to search for sustainable solutions to current challenges within Germany and Europe. A place that encourages participation and allows transformation to be experienced as something that can be collaboratively shaped in democratic togetherness. A space that promotes competencies to constructively face the future. 

Jena is applying as a future location for Centre for German Unity and European Transformation because we are convinced that the city is the ideal nurturing ground for the Future Centre to become a place of European networking that motivates people to help shape our common future from the experiences of the past. Our vision of the Centre for German Unity and European Transformation comprises five pillars: