Carl von Ossietzky University Forum
Carl von Ossietzky University Forum
Kick-off as part of the women's plenary assembly
As part of this year's Women's Plenary Assembly, the kick-off event of the Equal Opportunities Office-initiated Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy took place. The event provided a space to discuss key social and higher education policy issues and current challenges with a special focus on equal opportunities and gender equality and to bring together perspectives from all status groups at the university.
The Carl von Ossietzky University Forum sees itself as a participatory format that deliberately favours a bottom-up approach: Members of the university - regardless of position or function - are invited to contribute their experiences, ideas and impulses and to play an active role in shaping the content.
*The term women includes all people who define themselves as women and are affected by gender-specific discrimination due to their gender identity or social attribution. The term women also explicitly includes trans, inter, non-binary and genderqueer people who categorise themselves under this term.
Background and guiding principle
The University of Oldenburg bears its name deliberately: the founders wanted to set an example for courage, civil courage and the defence of democratic values. This in turn means that education at the University of Oldenburg is not only understood as imparting knowledge, but also as an ethical responsibility towards society and democracy.
The Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy deals specifically with the values of its namesake and is more than just a historical point of reference. It acts as a benchmark for central questions of our time:
Academic integrity
Democratic steadfastness
Ethical research practice
Social responsibility of universities
Key topics of the kick-off event
The discussions centred on two fundamental principles in particular:
1. freedom of science and freedom of expression
Freedom of research and teaching as well as freedom of expression form the foundation of an open and democratic society. At the same time, current developments show that these freedoms can come under increasing pressure - be it through political influence, social polarisation or personal attacks.
2 Social and institutional responsibility
Academic institutions have a special responsibility to promote equal opportunities, Gender equality, diversity and inclusion. These values are now firmly anchored in the strategies of central scientific organisations:
The German Research Foundation (DFG) integrates Gender equality and diversity as an integral part of its funding activities and sees diversity as a resource for scientific quality.
The Leibniz Association supports Gender equality through programmes to improve the compatibility of academic appointments and family life as well as through structural measures.
Associations such as the Alliance of Science Organisations and the German Rectors' Conference clearly position themselves in favour of an open society, democracy and diversity.
Gender equality is also enshrined in law, for example in the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz), and thus has a decisive influence on the institutional orientation of universities.
Central question: Is that enough?
At the same time, the forum also opened up space for critical perspectives: Debates on specific Gender equality and diversity measures or their implementation exist - especially in specialised, social and political contexts. This diversity of positions underlines the need for an open, reflective dialogue. Despite clear commitments, a crucial question arises:
Are institutional statements and strategies sufficient to sustainably secure academic freedom, Gender equality and democratic values?
The initial results of the open dialogue at the Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy make this clear: It takes more than programmatic statements.
Aims of the Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy
This is precisely where the Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy comes in and pursues the following goals:
Making current challenges visible: going beyond abstract principles to name concrete developments
Share experiences: for example in dealing with attacks on academic freedom or personal rights
Strengthen dialogue: between different status groups and perspectives
Promote networking: within the university and beyond
Developing approaches for action: jointly and practically
Outlook: An open format for continuous exchange
The kick-off event marks the beginning of a series of events that will take place regularly in the future. The aim is to create a permanent space for exchange, participation, reflection and joint organisation.
The Carl von Ossietzky University Forum - Science and Democracy invites all members of the university to actively participate and help shape the discussions. After all, the defence of academic freedom, democracy and Gender equality is not an abstract task - it depends on the commitment of the university community.