"Orange the World 2023" - BTU with actions and a clear statement as part of the UN campaign

The persistently high number of cases of domestic violence, as well as current global socio-political events, show how important it is to recognize forms of violence and their causes and to take decisive action against them.

BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande emphasizes: "A clear "NO to violence!" is a matter of course for us, for the mission statement for our university community and for a wide variety of offers to deal preventively and actively with the very complex facets of discrimination, harassment, disadvantage and violence. Our aim is to raise awareness both internally at the university and externally in society. We work on scientific foundations that create a differentiated database and guide our actions and offers. We have also committed ourselves in our mission to a respectful, collegial university community and live this in teaching, research and everyday university life."

The Day of Action on November 24, 2023, from 10:30 am offers violence prevention, advice and support. The Mayor of Cottbus, Tobias Schick, will open the event for the specialist audience and interested members of the public by hoisting the symbolic orange flag. The orange flag will also be on display at the BTU campuses in Cottbus and Senftenberg.

Two online events at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg will address sexism and sexualized violence. All interested parties are cordially invited to the public events. Participation is free of charge and possible without registration. Students, staff members and interested parties are cordially invited:

• Tuesday, 28.11.2023 | 2 - 4:30 pm | Sexism in everyday life - recognizing, naming, acting
  The online seminar provides an exemplary overview of where and how we are confronted with sexism in everyday life and what options for action are available to us as those directly or indirectly affected.

The event is part of the awareness-raising measures of the Equal Opportunities Office of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg on dealing with sexualized harassment, discrimination and violence at universities.

• Tuesday, 5.12.2023 | 15:30 - 16:30 | Sexualized violence. What is it to me?
  What is it to do with me? What does it have to do with me when something cruel happens to another person? Jana Schäfer, postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, examines the social framework that constructs the categories of victims and perpetrators and classifies them into hierarchies of compassion and attention.

The day of action was organized as a joint event by the municipal Equal Opportunities Officer of the city of Cottbus, the Equal Opportunities Office of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and a large number of local actors, including the Brandenburg Violence Prevention Office, the Lila Villa Women's Centre, the Brandenburg Victim Support Association, the Cottbus Women's Shelter, the Leyla Counselling Centre and other initiatives.

The UN campaign "Orange The World" has been drawing attention to violence since 1991: from the International Day to End Violence Against Women on November 25 to December 10, Human Rights Day.