Concrete demands on the new Brandenburg Higher Education Act on these topics were focused on a panel discussion at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)
The president of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg Prof. Gesine Grande and other representatives of BTU discussed on March 1, 2023, with representatives of the state of Brandenburg and a Member of the State Parliament Sahra Damus (B90/Greens) about non-discrimination, equal opportunities and diversity.
In order to contribute to a modern and forward-looking renewal of the state’s Higher Education Act, an alliance of Brandenburg trade unions, student representatives, equal opportunities officers and sustainability network has drawn up a list of demands. The aim is to anchor appreciative, responsible and democratic action at the state’s universities in law.
The spokesperson for the state conference of equal opportunities commissioners at Brandenburg universities, emphasises the importance of these issues in particular and says: “Universities have a great responsibility towards society. This is where the future is made, also in social interaction. We therefore demand clear signals in the direction of cultural change!”
The Alliance has identified categories and formulated proposals for improvement. All of the state’s universities want to jointly emphasise the alliance’s demands, especially with regard to the demands for “non-discrimination, equal opportunities and diversity“.
Background
The Ministry of Science, Research and Culture is planning a reform of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act. This law essentially determines teaching, study and administration at the state’s universities. The spectrum ranges from the students’ right to have a say to the working conditions for employees of all status groups.
The REUNICE “Diversity, Inclusiveness and gender Equality Style Manual” establishes some common criteria when approaching communications on the cross-cutting theme of Reunice Project related to the values of diversity, inclusiveness and gender equality.
