Disconnected? Individualisation, Loneliness and Social Cohesion in Times of Transformation

During this year’s “Academy under Trees,” European cultural practitioners and experts, civil society representatives, as well as interested members of the public, discussed striking the right balance between personal fulfilment and social responsibility. 

In times of profound upheaval, collective action is crucial for navigating transformational processes. However, finding shared solutions to the major challenges of our time is becoming increasingly difficult. Growing loneliness and individualism are symptoms of a crumbling social cohesion. These social developments were at the heart of the European conference.  

Held under the trees of the Genshagen castle grounds, the conference featured agoras, dialogue sessions, panel discussions, keynote speeches and “benches of dialog” providing space for interdisciplinary and participatory debates, as well as the transfer of knowledge and experience. Discussions focused particularly on solidarity in a transforming society, loneliness as a societal challenge, the impact of digital spaces on cohesion, and the potential of art and culture to forge connections. A key question in these discussions was the question of how we can reconnect with one another and foster a sense of community. 

This event took place as part of the Genshagen Foundation’s 2025–2027 focus topic “Shaping Transformation – Reflecting on Europe’s Future”. 

Partners: Dialogues en humanité 

Supported by: Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb); Nemetschek Stiftung