“Building Acceptance, Shaping Change” - Co-hosted Event of RISC, DIFIS and Bremen Chamber of Employees

On June 2, 2026, the RISC, the German Institute for Interdisciplinary Social Research (DIFIS), and the Bremen Chamber of Employees hosted a joint evening event on the topic “Securing Acceptance, Shaping Change: Social Policy and Social Cohesion in the Socio-Ecological Transformation.”

 Co-author and co-editor Dr. Nils Teichler (RDC-RISC) provided an interesting overview of the 2nd Cohesion Report and presented its key findings. These show that while the socio-ecological transformation is the subject of heated debate, there is no evidence of a fundamental social divide. Following this introduction, the panel joined the discussion. Participants included:

Dr. Henrike Müller – Senator for the Environment, Climate, and Science of Bremen
Frank Imhoff – Member of the Bremen City Parliament (CDU)
Falk Wagner – Member of the Bremen City Parliament (SPD)
Prof. Dr. Katharina Zimmermann – University of Hamburg

The discussion was moderated by Sebastian Möller (Economic Policy Advisor at the Bremen Chamber of Employees). 

Participants discussed potential policy options and the conditions necessary for societal acceptance from various perspectives. The study findings presented generated significant interest in this context. The politicians in attendance were impressed by the report’s scientific rigor and nuanced insights, and they expressly thanked the researchers for the valuable contributions to the policy debate.

The event was marked by a constructive exchange, and there was a great deal of positive feedback. We would like to thank all attendees and our partners for a successful evening.

Dr. Nils Teichler (RDC-RISC)

left to right: Frank Imhoff, Dr. Henrike Möller, Prof. Dr. Katharina Zimmermann, Falk Wagner, Sebastian Möller