Over the next 3 years, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will be funding the Competence Network for the Prevention of Antisemitism in Higher Education at the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK).
With its competence network, the HRK aims to strengthen universities in the further development of their commitment against anti-Semitism. To this end, it actively supports universities’ antisemitism representatives and aims to network them both with each other and with other players in preventing, combating and researching antisemitism. The network is currently being set up and will enable a joint exchange of knowledge on antisemitism prevention and research in the future.
Federal Minister of Education and Research Cem Özdemir explains:
‘From the past we have the responsibility to be defencible. The fight against antisemitism is and remains a social task – which includes our universities. I welcome the fact that universities are becoming more involved in preventing and combating antisemitism, that they are expanding their existing programmes and in many cases also appointing dedicated representatives to confront antisemitism and to protect Jewish staff members. Over the next three years, the BMBF will be funding the University Antisemitism Prevention Competence Network at the German Rectors’ Conference. I am grateful to the German Rectors’ Conference for its commitment to combating anti-Semitism and for supporting its members in developing skills and professionalising the relevant structures.
We must never allow the crimes of National Socialist Germany to be forgotten. Understanding the uniqueness of the Shoah is part of the DNA of our Federal Republic. Education and research make a significant contribution to keeping the memory of the darkest chapters of German history alive.’
HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal explains:
‘There is no place for antisemitism at German universities: this claim applies without restriction and is at the same time a mandate in our responsibility for the past, present and future. With the BMBF-funded Competence Network for the Prevention of Antisemitism at Universities, the HRK can strengthen the commitment of universities in this regard and systematically promote the further networking and professionalisation of antisemitism representatives at universities. Antisemitism is an independent form of discrimination with specific mechanisms of action. With the competence network, the HRK will support the universities in their efforts to sensitise all university members to antisemitic attitudes and stereotypes and to actively combat them in a coordinated and structure-building manner.
As places of academic education and scientific research, universities are also centres of democratic culture, dialogue and diversity. They must be peaceful, rational and safe spaces for discourse. This includes the protection and support of Jewish university members.’
Source: BMBF (in German)