This year, the Hanns Lilje Foundation Prize in the category “The Future of Politics and Society” was awarded to the Working Group on Colonial Continuities (AK Koloniale Kontinuitäten).

The working group consists of representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg, the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, the State Museum for Nature and Man Oldenburg, and the North German Mission. In addition, representatives from the fields of art and culture (including the Cine k cinema in Oldenburg, among others) are also involved.

The goal of the Working Group on Colonial Continuities is to reveal, question, and overcome the colonial past and the continuing effects of colonialism in Oldenburg using a variety of approaches. A key focus is the connection between colonialism, racism, and antisemitism.

The group's various event formats and content were recognized as particularly forward-looking and solution-oriented, bringing together the church and theology with other sectors of social life.