Against right-wing extremism, racism and discrimination of any kind: The BTU stands for cosmopolitanism, democracy and human rights!
We strongly condemn the recent violent attacks and threatening situations against international and queer students of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). The university is in close contact with the police to clarify the acts of violence and to hold those responsible accountable. We support the students affected and stand by their side in solidarity. For this purpose, the institution cooperates with the experts of "Opferperspektive - Solidarisch gegen Rassismus, Diskriminierung und rechte Gewalt e.V." (Victims' Perspective - Solidarity against Racism, Discrimination and Right-Wing Violence) in the sense of referral counseling.
The BTU stands for an inspiring atmosphere of learning and research in a dialogical, democratic cooperation of all: The diversity of our faculty and students enables innovation and progress in Lusatia.
We fulfill our duty of care to the members of the BTU: Groups of people who are (potentially) affected by (extreme) right-wing violence must be protected. We regard fundamental agreements of our democratic constitutional state - such as protection against discrimination, respect for human rights, and shared responsibility and respect for diversity and variety - as self-evident values that must be proactively upheld. In order to intensify this work, the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg has developed an internal "action concept against (extreme) right-wing influence" in recent months and is currently beginning to put it into practice. Here, the BTU commits to proactively counter discrimination and right-wing violence and thus to confront problems openly and in a clearly positioned manner. To make this possible effectively, the establishment of a monitoring office for incidents of discrimination and right-wing violence is in preparation for the summer semester. We want to make the university a safe place to study and work for all students, employees and visitors. This includes maintaining and promoting the university as a place of critical debate, emancipation, and equal rights and participation. Only in this way can the BTU responsibly advance its concept of internationalization and remain an attractive place for international students, scientists, and others.
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg clearly positions itself for a democratic, anti-discriminatory and cosmopolitan university culture.
Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hübner
Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt Alfred Funk
Presidium, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Prof. Dr. Sylvia Claus
Chair of the Senate Commission for University Culture
and University Community, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Stefan Binder
Chairman of the Student Parliament, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Prof.*in Dr.*in phil. Heike Radvan
Professorship in Social Work with a focus on right-wing extremism prevention
and community work at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Prof.in Dr. Alexandra Retkowski
Anti-Discrimination Officer, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
If you experience attacks and/or discrimination, please contact us:
Research Center for (Social)Pedagogical and Civil Society Counterstrategies in Dealing with Right-Wing Extremism at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Prof.*in Dr.*in phil. Heike Radvan
E radvan(at)b-tu.de
Anti-discrimination Officer at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Prof.in Dr. Alexandra Retkowski
E Alexandra.Retkowski(at)b-tu.de
International Relations Office of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Katja Ivanov T +49 (0)355 69 2409
E katja.ivanov(at)b-tu.de
Diversity and Social Affairs Office of the Student Council of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
Isabel Balinski
E soziales(at)stura-cottbus.de
Opferperspektive - Solidarisch gegen Rassismus, Diskriminierung und rechte Gewalt e.V.
Martin Vesely
T +49 (0)171 193 56 69
E m.vesely(at)opferperspektive.de
Joschka Fröschner
T +49 (0)151 507 248 51
E j.froeschner(at)opferperspektive.de
