Re-Constructions

The initiative Re-Constructions represents a joint project of Villa Vigoni, the German-Italian Centre for the European dialogue and the German Historical Institute (DHI) in Rome. The project funds were provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in response to the joint application.

The aim of the project is to analyse ‘turning points’, upheavals and new beginnings from different perspectives and through the lens of various disciplines. This involves both long-term changes as well as abrupt upheavals.

The initiative is made up of two sub-projects. The basic assumption rests on a concept of the present, which, even though marked by supposed ‘turning points’, is a result of long-term transformations. Current developments and disruptive episodes in the areas of social policy, energy policy, security policy as well as current constitutional considerations are therefore examined within the Villa Vigoni sub-project. The DHI, on the other hand, analyses long-term transformations from a historical perspective, particularly in Italy since the 1980s, focussing on specific players (elites). Since the 1980s particular attention had been given to political leaders and decision-makers, often referred to in Italian as ‘technocrats’ (i.e., individuals not legitimized by democratic elections).

The German-Italian Steering Committee of Re-Constructions, which consists of academics from various disciplines, and journalists as well as participants from the field of politics and diplomacy, works in cooperation with the project team and therefore organises discussion forums, panels and conferences to debate the upheavals of the present from a German-Italian and European perspective.