Who are we?
We are a group of students concerned about issues of diversity and discrimination at the Bauhaus Universität Weimar. We are part of the diversity office and are working inside the university's structures to support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the university. When students experience discrimination on or off campus, we, the Diversity Guides can be their first point of contact when it comes to dealing with these situations.
What is diversity?
For us, diversity is an action, a practice of including, involving and acknowledging differences in people. The world and living conditions are not the same for all people. Depending on certain attributes, our living conditions are very diverse. Also, society and the structures in which we move don't treat all people in the same way or with the same amount of respect. Recognizing these differences and the diversity between people is the beginning of the path to a discrimination-free society and respectful coexistence. But this recognition alone is not enough. We must actively oppose discrimination of all kinds, such as on the basis of religion, class, different social, educational, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identity, disability, mental illness or age.The university as any institution is not free from discriminatory practices and behaviours. We as the Diversity Guides focus on the wishes and needs of those affected. Be it discriminatory university staff, teachers or colleagues, a specific situation or structural discrimination in institutions, feel free to approach us! Together we can find individual solutions and suitable offers of help to deal with discrimination, whether on an institutional level or personal.
Everyone should have a place in our university.
Daniel Wandere
Habari!
My name is Daniel Wandere, and I have been studying architecture since 2021 in Weimar. Its been a pleasure to meet people from all walks of life, however, it comes with blessings and challenges, and I am glad to be in a space to facilitate the ease of our relationship to diversity day to day as we live together. Personally learning how to communicate with different people, different settings, and different needs and norms is as beautiful as it can need help. I have learnt the importance of reaching out and of community participation in achieving this peaceful and helpful coexistence at our university community.
Mara Zakharova
Hey, i'm Mara, and i've been living in Weimar since 2021, studying European Urban Studies.
Over that time, i've come to appreciate the importance of asking for help, especially in academic settings where personal struggles can significantly impact one's ability to study. Whether it's adjusting to a new culture, coping with conflicting emotions, or healing from impactful events, I'm here to provide a listening ear and guidance to those in need.
Through my own experiences, particularly as a queer person from russia, i understand the complexities of navigating both private and public life and adapting to a changing environment.
In my role at the diversity.guides, my aim is to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging within our university community. I want everyone to feel comfortable approaching us, and hope to create spaces where everyone feels valued to be their true selves.