Exceptional times make us pause and reflect on the direction we are heading in. The year 2020 was such a time. The sudden crisis acted as a pause button for our economy, our social life, our physical freedom of movement. Yet the standstill also challenges us to reflect. Shouldn’t we radically change course? Should we retrace our steps to see where we went wrong? Which turn did we miss? Where do we actually want to go, what is our destination? And what is the best route to get there? In short: isn’t it time for a U-turn?
In the webinar series U-turn, UCSIA brought together innovative voices from various social fields and academic disciplines over the past year to reflect on the impact of the pandemic on our society. After all, virology does not offer the only relevant perspective on a health crisis. What about the cultural sector and the financial industry? Is institutionalised “cold” solidarity sufficient, or is additional “warm” solidarity needed? What lessons can we learn from this crisis for the next crisis, which will be ecological? What role should the social economy play in #betteraftercorona? Can philosophical movements, such as personalism, inspire us to set a new course?
The contributions to this programme have now been compiled in the book U-turn 2020: towards a new social contract. We invite you to join us in thinking about a new way of living together. Things can be different and better!
