I am a political scientist, analyst and moderator, currently working as coordinator of the project "Overcoming Dictatorships – the Encounter of Poets, Artists and Writers" at Dresden Technical University (CULTURE 2000). I have major research interests in dissidents in Central Eastern Europe, the European Union with its regions and citizens, education and migration. Among my various political and civic activities during the last 10 years is the vice presidency of the European network "Citizens of Europe", where I also organise the project "OpenFora". I try to create spaces where artists, activists and experts can meet to merge their creativity.