The Franco-German Research Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences Centre Marc Bloch is organising a high-level exchange between politics and science on the political and social phenomenon of the so-called "crisis of trust" on 29 January 2026 in the Tieranatomisches Theater at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin. The event "Credibility in times of polarisation. How can politics regain the trust of citizens?" is being organised in cooperation with Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU), the French Embassy and with the support of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Political scientist Dr Isabelle Guinaudeau will introduce the topic. The discussion will be moderated by Rebecca Donauer, political journalist at ARTE.
The event will be opened with words of welcome from Dr Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMFTR, Fran?ois Delattre, French Ambassador to Berlin, Prof. Dr Julia von Blumenthal, President of the HU and Prof. Dr Jay Rowell, Director of the Centre Marc Bloch.
The podium
Fran?ois Hollande is a former French President and today a member of the French parliament, the Assemblée Nationale, for the Parti Socialiste. He represents the constituency of Corrèze in south-east France.
Armin Laschet is a politician from the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and a member of the Bundestag, where he chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee. The former MEP was Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia and Federal Chairman of the CDU.
Dr Isabelle Guinaudeau is a CNRS researcher at the Centre Marc Bloch for Comparative Politics and European Integration. She conducts research at the interface of electoral research, political sociology and public policy. She is currently leading two Franco-German projects on election promises.
Prof Dr Steffen Mau is Professor of Macrosociology at the HU and has been Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity since 2025. Among other things, he deals with the empirical investigation of the so-called "division of society", in particular in the book "Trigger Points. Consensus and conflict in contemporary society".
At a glance
When: Thursday, 29 January 2026, 6 p.m.
Where: Tieranatomisches Theater der Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, Philippstra?e 13/Haus 3, 10115 Berlin
Programme: Participation is only possible with registration.
Participants are invited to a reception following the lecture and panel discussion. The event will be held in German and French with simultaneous translation.
The Centre Marc Bloch
The Franco-German research centre for the humanities and social sciences is characterised by its binational sponsorship and its interdisciplinary scientific approach. The HU-affiliated institute is an important interface between the academic systems of the two countries.
Information for representatives of the press
Seats have been reserved for representatives of the press.
Please register by 23.01.2026 via e-mail.
Please note: As places in the event room are limited, you will receive a confirmation of registration after your registration if you can attend the event in person.