Universities run drive to counter growing xenophobia

Universities members of the German Rectors Conference, or HRK, launched a national initiative to counter xenophobia in Germany, amid the refugee crisis and the sharp rise in cases of verbal and physical attacks in recent months racial.

At their general meeting in Kiel on 10 November, HRK President Professor Horst Hipper HRK urged members to support the campaign and defend the fundamental university values ​​of openness, tolerance and diversity.

Despite the fact that the university towns are affected by the problem to varying degrees, universities agreed to show solidarity against xenophobia and racism and the use of initiative to highlight this attitude under a common logo, "Universities of openness, tolerance and xenophobia"

In a statement on its website, HRK said: "Universities are open-minded places. Different opinions and international exchanges form the basis of its research and teaching. In the light of growing xenophobic trends that can be seen at the moment, universities are actively advocate that many opinions and exchange. "

In HRK he said universities as "future workshops of the world" are transnational themselves. "A university can only be sustainable if it acts and thoughts on an international level."

Germany is welcoming and sought after destination for thousands of refugees making their way through Turkey and the Balkans into the European Union, mostly from Syria, but also from Afghanistan and other countries, but struggled with the flow and expects at least 800,000 asylum applications by the end of this year.

While there are scenes of locals lining up stations offering food and applause of refugees arriving in the country, the influx is no reason to put pressure on resources and fears among some population groups, and there have also been right-wing protests and a growing number of racial attacks .

By October, according to Reuters, 576 crimes related to housing of refugees have been reported this year, compared with 198 for all of last year. Incidents this year have included 46 or attempted arson, compared with last year and six.

Previously, Prof. Hipper warned that xenophobic verbal and physical attacks "affected humanity and have a negative impact on science and society."

EUA welcomes

At a meeting of the European University Association, or EUA, in October, he said: "We will do everything possible to confront xenophobic tendencies in Germany and Europe. Universities encourage and develop open mind and a global presence. Traditionally, they are places of enlightened thinking, where an open exchange many opinions and tolerance prevail. "

German higher education system has close links with other national systems of higher education. In HRK is clearly stated in its international strategy, which open and international campus and international mobility of professors and students therefore provide the essential foundations for quality teaching, learning and research.

The EUA is fully welcomes the initiative of HRK him.

"Transparency, inclusiveness and tolerance are core values ​​and academic diversity of opinion and free exchange of ideas are the basis of all academic teaching and research," said EUA into a press statement.

The EUA said European universities have a long tradition of welcoming foreign students, staff and researchers, as well as threatened scholars from different parts of the world. Today Europe is faced with serious challenges to political, economic and social consequences in the form of massive internal migration and weaken European solidarity.

The EUA therefore urged universities and their communities to oppose any form of racism, discrimination and national stereotypes unreservedly engage in an open society, and to promote other social actors to do the same.

EUA President Rolf Terrace said: "European universities are the main source repository and transmitter of knowledge of our continent and this knowledge leaves no room for xenophobia and hatred.

"Instead, it allows us to support all efforts that aim to integrate those who are forced to leave their countries by sharing with them our democratic values, rights and responsibilities."