PHOTO CAROUSEL

70 YEARS OF WORLD PRESS PHOTO

World Press Photo is celebrating its 70th anniversary with the exhibition “What Have We Done.” The world premiere is on display in Groningen, at Noorderlicht, until October 19th. Based on themes such as "Weeping Women and Men Rescuing," "Black Skin and the Dark Continent," and "Emotional Soldiers and Debris," the exhibition reflects on 70 years of photojournalism and its changing meaning and visual language. Many of the photos relate to war and conflict,
a subject that is being researched from various perspectives at
the University of Groningen.

In her recently published book “Angstaanjagend normaal” (Frighteningly Normal) Professor of International Crimes
Alette Smeulers focuses on the perpetrators – war criminals, genocide perpetrators, and terrorists – and encourages us to reflect on law, responsibility, and our own behavior. Her conclusion: almost anyone can become a perpetrator.

Carsten de Dreu, professor of the Foundations of Cooperation and Social Organization, researches how group dynamics and groupthink play a role in conflicts. The enemy image, he says, has been instilled in us. He also discusses this in the Groningen science podcast
“OOG op de wetenschap” (EYE on Science, in Dutch)

And what happens next after a conflict has ended? Researchers
Yasin Koc and Islam Borinca argue that group apologies help heal society.

Finally, in this recent Studium General Lecture (in Dutch), Middle East researcher Kiki Santing and alumna and journalist Ana van Es discuss the reconstruction of a country after war.