Lessons from COVID-19

The planned study trip deals with the relationship between social cohesion (solidarity) and sustainable economies. The aim is to analyze social cohesion in (ethnic) communities using the example of the Maya comunidades in Yucatán in southern Mexico in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters. The central questions here are

1. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect (ethnic) communities?
2. What forms of solidarity are the inhabitants of rural Yucatán developing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters?
3. How have community economic structures changed in the context of the coronavirus crisis?

During the 14-day study trip, guided interviews will be conducted with members of rural Maya comunidades in selected indigenous communities in Yucatán and ethnographic observations will be made. The focus of interest is on

1. social organization of the communities (structures)
2. social practices of care, sharing and responsibility (networks)
3. solidarity-based economy in its historical references and current corona-related challenges (economy)

Project management and organization: Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Tuider and Verena Hucke, M.A.

Duration: 10-11/2022