Nine Beneficiaries of KAAD took part in this conference of the KAAD-“sister organization” Cusanuswerk. They too examined the concept of performance in depth. Under the direction of Dr Marko Kuhn, Head of the Africa Department at KAAD, the forum began with information and exchange sessions in which each scholar introduced himself or herself and explained his or her reasons for attending the conference.
The participants had the opportunity to present their personal backgrounds, experiences and perspectives on the concept of performance. These insights formed the basis for further discussions and analyses during the conference. The official opening marked the beginning of an intensive discussion of a topic of great social relevance.
In his introduction, Professor Georg Braungart, director of the Cusanuswerk, emphasized that the willingness to perform and the will to create something are the basis for supporting gifted people, especially in a value-oriented, Christian context. PD Dr Nina Verheyen, historian from Cologne, devoted her keynote speech to the historical background that contributed to the formation of today's understanding of “Leistung”. The first day concluded with an evening prayer by Father Clemens Blattert, the spiritual rector of the Cusanuswerk.
On the following day, the KAAD group, whose members come from nine different countries, presented the different manifestations of the concept of performance/achievement in one of the nine forums of the conference. They particularly alluded to the different cultures they come from. It became clear that in the individualistic societies of the Global North, the concept of performance is interpreted differently than in the more collectivist societies of the Global South and Eastern Europe. The discussion focused on how performance/achievement is defined and recognized in different cultural contexts. It was discussed how the concept also shows its nuances differs in linguistic and terminological terms.
In particular, four scholars from Syria, Afghanistan, Ghana and Indonesia contributed their personal experiences and compared the concept of “Leistung” in their home countries with that in Germany or the Global North. They emphasized the importance of collective achievement and cohesion in their communities, with personal successes such as starting a family or overcoming life problems also being considered important. The discussion was extremely productive, with everyone making a valuable contribution.
At the end of the day, a festive ball evening was organized, where participants had the opportunity to further interact in an informal atmosphere.
On the last day of the event, Professor Nils Goldschmidt, Professor of Contextual Economics and Economic Education at the University of Siegen and Chairman of the Social Market Economy Action Group, once again emphasized the importance of social cohesion for motivation and economic performance. The annual conference concluded with a speech by Archbishop Dr Franz Lackner OFM (Salzburg), Chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference. He emphasized the importance of the church as a space for the encounter between man and God.
The conference provided a deep insight into the given topic and its various interpretations worldwide. The productive discussions and exchanges between the scholars led to valuable insights into cultural diversity and the different approaches to recognizing performance. The event emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives in a globalized world. The KAAD scholars contributed significantly to the success of the conference through their contributions and intercultural dialogue. The event ended with a strong sense of community and a shared understanding that achievement should be valued in a variety of forms and contexts.
Gayane Sargsyan, PhD scholar from Armenia
Voice of Adele Isber, KAAD alumna from Syria
“At the Cusanuswerk annual conference, I met many wonderful people who were open-minded and communicative and eager to learn about other cultures. The open and respectful dialogue fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different ways in which “Leistung” is perceived and pursued around the world. The Forum underscored the importance of adopting a more inclusive perspective on performance and achievement, particularly in the context of the Global South. It stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and cultural exchange to promote mutual understanding and respect."
