Taking a Stand Together: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Joins Nationwide Campaign
With the launch of the »HOCHSCHULEN ZEIGEN HALTUNG« on 13 October 2025, universities and networks across Germany are making a commitment to a democratic, diverse, and open society. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is also taking part in the initiative and standing up for academic freedom and respectful communication.
Campaign Statement
»Universities epitomise open-mindedness, diversity, and the unrestricted exchange of ideas. Scientific knowledge is created through critical thinking, seeking for the most convincing arguments, and respectful discourse. These principles are inextricably linked to the values of freedom of opinion, human dignity, equality, and the rule of law. Together, these principles form the foundation of our democratic coexistence. When these values come under threat, we need to act together.
Universities are open social spaces where people from different backgrounds come together to study, work, and carry out research. They are locations where critical reflection takes place – and this includes reflecting on social conditions. And this is how they impact society. At the same time, they are drivers of innovation and social progress. The massive attacks against universities, not only in the USA but also here in Germany, are proof of how important they are to society.
Academics and students are increasingly being verbally and even physically attacked. Political influence on the scientific and academic community and discrimination against minorities are on the rise. Academic freedom is increasingly being put under pressure. Right-wing populist denigration of scientific findings, interference in university autonomy, and ideologically motivated restrictions on the space for discourse from the right are noticeably on the rise.
These developments affect all members of higher education institutions, including faculty, researchers, students, doctoral candidates, technology and administration staff, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, and diversity representative, higher education policy committees, and university directorates.
It’s Time to Take a Stand!
We are urging politicians to protect the freedom of research and teaching equally across all disciplines, to provide universities with adequate resources, and to support an open-minded and welcoming culture. Politicians must base their decisions on scientific facts rather than populist »opinions«.
Together with allies from academia and civil society, we are calling on all university members to stand up for a democratic, diverse, and free higher education landscape.
We strongly oppose all forms of group-based hostility, anti-scientific discourse, right-wing extremism, and hostility towards democracy!
In solidarity,
the HOCHSCHULEN ZEIGEN HALTUNG Alliance.«
Supporters:
Netzwerk Antidiskriminierung an Hochschulen
Netzwerk Diversity an Hochschulen
Bundeskonferenz der Frauen- und Gleichstellungsbeauftragten an Hochschulen e. V. (bukof)
Network of Diversity Officers at Universities in Schleswig-Holstein
Netzwerk Diversität an Thüringer Hochschulen
Academic freedom is enshrined in German Basic Law and protects research from political interference. Academic freedom forms the foundation for innovation, progress, and democracy. Yet researchers are coming increasingly under threat, entire disciplines defamed, or their work restricted – sometimes even in the name of academic freedom.
Wherever science falls under pressure, democracy is also threatened.
Let’s unite and defend the freedom of research and teaching!
Science thrives on innovative ideas, systematic analysis, critical exchange, the pursuit of truth, and being open to results – not on ideological distortion, right-wing populist simplification, or authoritarian bans on thinking. Science values complexity and questions dogmatic claims to truth; it makes marginalised perspectives visible. Which is precisely why it is attacked by right-wing extremists and populists.
New ideas and research approaches are not a threat to science; attempts to discipline it through authoritarian means are.
Let’s unite and defend freedom of thought against ideological manipulation!
Democracy needs verifiable facts. Universities provide them. Science tests claims, strengthens critical thinking, provides orientation, which enables informed decisions. This is exactly why right-wing extremists and populist powers try to delegitimise and silence it.
Science is the most effective weapon against myths and disinformation.
Let’s unite and strengthen scientific communication for an open-minded, participatory, and dialogue-oriented society!
Universities need autonomy – in research, teaching, and structure. Science can unfold to its full potential when it is free from political and economic constraints. Political pressure undermines trust in science, neoliberal exploitation logic suffocates the thirst for knowledge, and chronic underfunding of universities stifles progress and innovation.
Universities need autonomy – not funding cutbacks and authoritarian influence.
Let’s unite and defend autonomy at universities!
Science thrives on diverse perspectives, methods, and questions. Universities are required to enforce the fundamental right to education for everyone. Equal opportunities are not a luxury for minorities – they are a necessary educational policy and a requirement for academic excellence. Yet right-wing extremist and populist attacks on marginalised groups, diversity work, and anti-discrimination research are increasing.
Science needs diverse perspectives – not uniformity and exclusion.
Let’s unite and uphold the right to education for all and fulfil our social responsibility!
Universities are spaces of diversity, dialogue, and global exchange. But authoritarian forces are seeking to isolate them and silence socially critical voices. When science isolates itself, it loses social relevance and innovative power. This fuels social and global crises, but does not solve them.
Open-mindedness is the key to knowledge, progress, and democracy.
Let's keep universities open – for people, ideas, and social change!
Critical disciplines such as climate research, gender studies, and race-critical studies are increasingly under attack. Under the guise of »reducing bureaucracy«, cuts to equality, diversity, and anti-discrimination work at universities are becoming a threat. Yet these are precisely the fields of research and work areas that makes science inclusive, relevant, and future-oriented.
What enlightens, protects, and connects must not be reduced.
Let’s invest in a more just future through critical research and equal opportunities!
Hate, threats, and violence against students, teachers, and researchers are on the rise – whether racist, anti-queer, or antifeminist. But attacks on individual researchers and members of structurally discriminated groups are attacks on free society and science itself. Solidarity means taking a stand together – visibly, decisively, intersectionally.
An attack on one is an attack on us all.
Let’s unite and stand side by side against hate!
Right-wing extremist hate speech deliberately targets anti-discrimination research and steps to promote equality, diversity, and social justice. Yet science flourishes through participation, diverse perspectives, and fair educational and career opportunities for all. Universities have a responsibility to clearly oppose exclusion, discrimination, and hatred.
Equal opportunities aren’t a »nice bonus« – they are a core democratic value.
Let‘s stand up for a fair university that defends fundamental rights - a university that is courageous, resilient, and diverse!
Science thrives on critical discourse – not submission and conformity. Critically examining knowledge and power structures is not a threat, but a rather a requirement for insight, enlightenment, and democracy. Authoritarian forces want to control research for fear of social change and losing status.
Those who want science to conform to authority weaken its democratic power.
The future can only be shaped by those who remain critical – Let’s defend transparent discourse at our universities!
Initiatives at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
»Demokratie stärken« (strengthening democracy)
Building upon 2024’s thematic focus on »Demokratie stärken« (strengthening democracy), the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is continuing to pursue the goal of promoting trust in democracy, science, art, and educational institutions in Thuringia.
As a socially engaged university, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is responsible for making democratic values visible and for actively contributing its expertise in science, art, and administration to public discourse.
»Weltoffenes Thüringen« Open-Minded Thuringia
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar supports the »Weltoffenes Thüringen« (Open-Minded Thuringia) initiative, which launched in 2024 and promotes a tolerant, diverse, and democratic coexistence in Thuringia.