BTU sets an example for peaceful coexistence

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg stands for peaceful and equal coexistence. As a driver of regional structural change and as a science location where students and scientists from all over the world deal with major global issues, the university is expressly committed to cosmopolitanism and tolerance. With the benches against racism, it is following the call of a statewide initiative of the "Tolerant Brandenburg" coordination office.

BTU PresidentProf. Gesine Grande: "Respectful interaction with one another forms the basis for a peaceful life in our society. We at the BTU are committed to this with all our strength. We are convinced that the world's central challenges - from climate change to the medicine of the future to decarbonization - can only be mastered together. One third of our students come from more than 100 countries. By putting up the benches, we are clearly showing: there is no room for racism here."

Prof. Peer Schmidt, Vice President for Studies and Teaching at the university, added: "Science and studies benefit from diversity in thought and action. Only in this way can we shape the future, develop new things, put visions into practice. As a university, we set an example for young people. We shape future generations. This is our chance to promote respectful discourse. The war in Ukraine shows that peace is not a foregone conclusion, but that we must stand up every day against intolerance, nationalism and racism."

Brandenburg University of Technology signed the Diversity Charter back in 2011. In addition, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg has been a member of the Cottbus is Colorful alliance since 2018 and is involved in initiatives such as Cottbuser Aufbruch.