Hell, are those really the others? - An-Other Year

On this evening, three speakers from different fields give their perspective on the relationship between ourselves and the other. Do we crave more social contact now or has this become less? Are our social circles getting smaller or larger and where do social activities now take place? Have we become more lonely or more communal? Does this differ per population group? And how can we strengthen our relationship with others? All these questions will be discussed during An-Other Year. Because: It was a year like no other.

Together with speakers Eveline Crone, Ruud Welten and Zemzem Shigute Shuka we look at how the relationship with the other has changed in recent years. Before we had to isolate ourselves, our relationship with others was already influenced by things like chatbots and self-scanners. We are getting in contact less and less with a 'real' other, and in the past year this has only been reinforced. We will discuss how both these new technologies and the crisis have affected our dealings with the other. Is this a desirable development?

• Prof. dr. Eveline Crone is researching the psychological effects of the lockdown and will discuss the lessons we can learn from it. 
• Dr. Zemzem Shigute Shuka will talk about how the Eritrean and Ethiopian diaspora in the Netherlands dealt with the crisis. What can we learn from their solidarity and self-reliance? Is our vision of the other culturally determined?
• Prof. dr. Ruud Welten will approach the question from a philosophical point of view. Hell, are they really the others? 

At the end of the evening, we would like to engage in a discussion with the speakers and the audience about the future: what will our relationship with the other look like and will it be better or worse?