Comparative Workshop on Land Use, Social Identities, and Rural Development in Germany, India and the Amazon at the VISTRA

On June 9, 2026, Dr. Menokhono, who was visiting the University of Vechta as part of International Week, co-hosted a workshop at VISTRA with Dr. Anne-Katrin Broocks and Dr. Mirka Erler on “Land Use, Social Identities in Rural Germany, Rural India, and the Amazon.”

Several VISTRA researchers participated in the workshop. In the first part of the workshop, the three organizing researchers presented their research in two Indian states as well as in the Amazon region. The focus was on the significance of land ownership and land use for social identities in rural areas. Subsequently, we engaged in a lively discussion about the similarities as well as the differences among the presented cases. Additionally, the participating VISTRA researchers also shared their experience.

The workshop serves as the kickoff for further collaboration. The goal is to work together on a comparative study of the topic in the coming months and to summarize the results of the discussion in an article.