On February 26, 2026, the networking meeting "United for Democracy - Economy.Community.Society. Science" took place. Organized by the office of the alliance "Democracy wins!", representatives from local companies, municipalities, scientific institutions and civil society organizations came together to discuss how the promotion of democracy can be implemented in everyday life.
The program was varied and practical:
- Welcome address by university president Dr. Gunther Piller, in which he emphasized the responsibility of science and business for a vibrant democratic culture.
- Birger Hartnuß, Head of the Office for Volunteering and Civic Participation, Rhineland-Palatinate State Chancellery, on the genesis of the alliance and its current importance
- Keynote speech by Dr. Manoj Gupte, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, on participation culture and democratic competence highlighted how companies can actively contribute to strengthening democratic values.
- Study presentation "Civil society in figures: Monitor Unternehmensengagement 2025" by study director Dr.Peter Schubert, Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V., provided insights into the structures and challenges of local engagement networks. The study with results for Rhineland-Palatinate can be accessed online via the website of the Office for Volunteering and Civic Participation: https: //wir-tun-was.rlp.de/unterstuetzen/zahlen-und-fakten
- Interactive workshop of the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority "Teaching democracy and media literacy hand in hand" on the question of how media literacy already contains approaches to promoting democracy in the education chain and how this can be continued in the workplace environment.
These networking meetings are important for the members of the alliance and interested parties in order to make democracy tangible. Networking creates synergies: The exchange between business, municipalities, science and society creates innovative formats and partnerships that bring democracy into the discussion and make it visible in the different places where people live. Companies contribute resources, networks and influence. Their commitment demonstrates social responsibility and mobilizes employees and local people for democracy. Especially in times of growing polarization, regular event formats such as these are indispensable. They pool expertise, forge long-term alliances and make commitment visible. The "Democracy wins!" alliance in Rhineland-Palatinate demonstrates how local action strengthens democracy in the long term.
The event was organized by the alliance's office in cooperation with the Rhineland-Palatinate State Chancellery, the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society, the Rhineland-Palatinate State Agency for Civic Education and the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority.
