I myself came to Oldenburg 37 years ago because of this university and have accompanied it ever since, sometimes from the inside as an employee, sometimes from the outside as a politician. 40 years ago, the reform university was controversial because it brought a lot of things to bourgeois Oldenburg that took some getting used to. It was also often obstructed, for example the unique single-phase apprenticeship programme was discontinued. The city now identifies with "its" university, which fought tenaciously for 20 years to be allowed to bear the name of the radical democrat, Nazi opponent and Nobel Peace Prize winner Carl von Ossietzky.

self-confident, sustainable and open.

I hope that the university has sufficient funds and planning security to allow committed young female academics to research and teach under good conditions. I also hope that it can defend and build on its good reputation as a sustainably orientated and socio-politically responsible university; then it will also succeed in attracting curious, active students in the future.

Carl von Ossietzky University is a stroke of luck and an enrichment for the city, the region, the culture, the economy and especially for the citizens. The university was and is a driving force for reform. It is worthwhile for young and old to come today, join in the discussion and celebrate 40 eventful years.