February 20, 2004 | Press Release
Open house at the MPIDR on the "Night of the Sciences"
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research will be opening its doors to visitors on the occasion of Rostock's first "Long Night of the Sciences" on Thursday, April 29th.
Demography studies the structure of populations and analyses the changes they are subject to, as well the factors that cause these changes. Birth rates, death rates, and migration shape demographic processes. These processes determine the long-term development of societies, as well as their economic and social foundations. At the same time, these demographic processes are themselves influenced by biological, socio-economic, political and cultural factors.
On the "Long Night of the Sciences" on April 29th the Institute will be offering an overview of its various fields of work. Presentations will be given in the auditorium on two main topics. This first one (19.00 to 20.45) will be on current demographic developments in Germany. Specific topics of the talk:
- aging and longevity in Germany - including an international comparison;
- challenges to society arising from population aging;
- family and living arrangements in East and West Germany;
- family-related policies in Germany and in other European countries.
The second presentation (21.00 to 22.00) will focus on the past. In addition, visitors will be offered a close-up look at current work in the Institute's bio-demographic laboratories. Topics:
- why is there such a thing as grandmothers? An evolutionary-biological perspective.
- paleo-demography - insights into historical populations.
There will be a multi-media exhibition in the cafeteria, at which visitors will have the opportunity to see things from the Institute's bio-demographic laboratories and to inform themselves about further research results. Institute scientists will be available for "shop talk" with visitors. The evening's program at the MPIDR will be augmented by a video presentation. Moreover, the Neubrandenburg artist Gerd Frick will be offering guided tours. He had won the competition "Artwork at the Institute", held for the new Institute's building, with his collection of six pictures. The series is related to demographic topics of the various stages in life of a human being: birth, leaving the parental home, marriage, migration, retirement, and death.
Founded in 1996, the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) belongs to the new generation of Rostock's research facilities. The Institute's new building on the Warnow River was opened just a little over a year ago. Our scientific staff comes from over 20 different countries. Their work is concentrated on basic research in an area connecting the biological and the social sciences. Demographers, mathematicians, statisticians, sociologists, economists, biologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, psychologists, political scientists and geographers are engaged in cooperative research.
Website: www.lange-nacht-des-wissens.de