Diversity Days
How can social cohesion be achieved?
Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 4.00–6.00 pm Logensaal, EUV
Between a New Beginning and Powerlessness: Is (East) Germany Shifting to the Right?
Matthias Quent (Professor of Digitalisation in the Context of Societal Transformations in Social Work at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences, Jena) in conversation with Dr Anja Hennig about his new book.
For anyone interested
What does it take to remain capable of taking action in the face of social crises, uncertainties and democratic challenges? What responsibility do civil society, academia and politics bear in light of the rapidly growing electoral success of far-right parties?
We will be discussing these issues with Prof. Matthias Quent – openly, critically and with a focus on our role at the university and in society. Dr Matthias Quent is Professor of Digitalisation and Transformation at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena and one of Germany’s leading experts on right-wing extremism. In 2026, his book “No Power to Powerlessness: How We Overcome Crises and Defend Ourselves Against Fascism” was published. Dr Anja Hennig (formerly of Viadrina) is a political scientist.
Please send any questions or comments to: chancengleichheit@europa-uni.de
The event will be held in German.
Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 4.30–6.30 pm Coworking Space, Carrel 1
Democracy: Unplugged
Michalina Lorych (Student Engagement Coach), Equal Opportunities Division & ERUA Student Engagement Team
How do other people experience democracy in their everyday lives? Do we all understand participation in the same way – or do others see it completely differently to you? The way we talk about democracy and live it together shapes our society every day. Yet in everyday life, there is often a lack of space for genuine, honest exchange about different experiences and perspectives.
As part of the Shared Humanity Experience, the Democracy: Unplugged programme invites you to do just that: Through structured conversations, we create a mindful space to share experiences, listen attentively and explore together how democracy comes to life through human connection and dialogue.
Discover new perspectives.
Please send any questions or comments to: chancengleichheit-assistenz@europa-uni.de
Registration link - feel free to sign up, but you’re also welcome to pop in at short notice!
The event will be held in English.
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 10.00–12.00 HG 217
Countering anti-constitutional activities at universities – scope for action and legal limits
Joschka Selinger (Solicitor/Society for Civil Liberties)
For administrative staff
How can universities, and in particular their administrative bodies, counter anti-constitutional activities in accordance with the rule of law?
This workshop provides an introduction to the constitutional foundations of the state’s duty of neutrality and the requirements of public service law.
The focus is on the tension between political neutrality and the defence of the free democratic basic order in the university context.
Drawing on recent case law, the scope for action, obligations and limitations of university administration will be examined and discussed.
Please send any questions or comments to: chancengleichheit@europa-uni.de
Please register at: Chancengleichheit@europa-uni.de
The event will be held in German.
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 3.00-5.00 pm Coworking Space, Foyer
Family Café
Nadine Arnold (Family Affairs Officer at Viadrina) & Guests
For people with caregiving responsibilities and anyone else interested
How can we interact and exchange ideas in our everyday lives, and shape our society together? What opportunities are there to get involved, take on responsibility and practise democratic participation – within the family, in the neighbourhood, in clubs or at university?
The Family Café invites people with caregiving responsibilities, as well as anyone else who is interested, to engage in conversation, share experiences and discover new perspectives. In an open and supportive atmosphere, we create a space for connection, exchange and inspiration. Together, we discover just how diverse commitment and social participation can be, and how democratic coexistence is put into practice in everyday life.
Insights from local stakeholders provide an overview of different forms of engagement (parents’ council, neighbourhood, sports clubs…) and encourage participants to discover their own ideas and opportunities for getting involved.
Please send any questions or comments to: narnold@europa-uni.de
The event will be held in German.
Friday, 6 November 2026, 10.00–11.30 am (online)
Protect democracy!
How academia is now living up to its responsibilities.
Amrei Bahr (Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Technology & Information, University of Stuttgart)
For researchers and anyone interested
Our democracy is under acute threat. This also has consequences for academia, as key framework conditions are at stake. It is essential that academia now recognises this, rather than falling for misguided demands for neutrality or remaining silent out of ignorance or fear.
How can each individual researcher, and how can we as a scientific community, actively champion democratic science instead?
This event will provide inspiration and concrete suggestions for this.
Please send registrations and enquiries to: Chancengleichheit@europa-uni.de
The access link will be provided after registration. The event will be held in German.
Diversity Days 2026
Once again this year, Viadrina is organising its Diversity Days.
These are not easy times – crises, wars, financial hardship and polarisation. Many people are feeling uncertain, worrying about what lies ahead and what the future holds.
What sustains us in times like these? What fosters social cohesion? How and where can we get involved?
Questions we all ask ourselves. Questions we discuss at home and also bring with us to Viadrina. Questions to which there are no easy answers, yet which keep coming up and demand that we – and Viadrina – take a stand.
We will be addressing these questions at the Diversity Days 2026 through various events, both on-site and online, and offering a space for meeting others, exchanging ideas and generating concrete suggestions on how you can get involved – at the Viadrina and beyond.
We warmly invite you to join us.
What is it about?
Viadrina and many other universities regularly organise Diversity Days to promote equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity in the academic sphere.
Universities are places for exchange, learning, interaction, research and work. We want to create an environment in which all students and staff feel comfortable and safe, and can contribute equally to studying and working successfully.
Through Diversity Days, we raise awareness of issues that are often overlooked or remain invisible in everyday university life, even though they affect and impact many people: for example, chronic illnesses, disabilities, family care and support responsibilities, experiences of racism and much more.
Here, for instance, we highlight counselling and support services and, through a variety of events, create space for dialogue.
Furthermore, in the face of growing social and political tensions in society, these days help us to take a united stand: for a university based on solidarity that champions all its members, particularly those who are more vulnerable than others. And for a university that makes it clear: we take our commitment to preventing discrimination seriously.
Previous Diversity Days
2024
On 18 June 2024, as part of the 3rd university-wide Diversity Days, the Equal Opportunities Division opened the exhibition ‘Same Same, But Different – Insights and Outlooks at the Viadrina’. For the exhibition, we spoke to various members of our university and asked them what matters to them, what they hope for, what ideas they have for the future of Viadrina, and how we can grow closer together so that our university is a place where we all enjoy studying and working. The portraits can be viewed in the accordion below or visited in the GD Foyer until the end of July.
The Diversity Days at Viadrina have been an annual event since 2022, held as part of German Diversity Day.
The aim of the Diversity Days is to create a platform that highlights diversity within the university, combats discrimination and promotes an open and respectful everyday study and working environment. In these times of social change, Viadrina aims to be a place where everyone has equal access and opportunities, and where the potential of a more diverse academic and working culture is recognised.
2023 & 2022
The Diversity Days at Viadrina have been an annual event since 2022, held as part of the German Diversity Day.
The aim of the Diversity Days is to create a platform that highlights diversity within the university, combats discrimination and promotes an open and respectful study and working environment. In these times of social change, Viadrina aims to be a place where everyone has equal access and opportunities, and where the potential of a more diverse academic and working culture is recognised.
The first Diversity Days at Viadrina in 2022 focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by diverse life experiences within the university. Particular attention was paid to how people experience discrimination in their everyday academic and research lives due to their gender identity, social or ethnic background and caregiving responsibilities, and how this can be counteracted.
The second Diversity Days at Viadrina in 2023 focused on the mental and physical health of the university community. Students were able to learn how to look after their mental health during the often stressful phases of their studies, how to recognise warning signs and how to look out for one another. In the Shared Humanity Experience ‘Mental Health in the Context of Student Life’, they also had the opportunity to share personal experiences and find out about the various counselling services available within the university. Staff were able to take advantage of services such as nutritional advice and daily fatigue assessments at the Workplace Health Day, find out about ergonomics in the workplace and sleep hygiene, and take part in the active break programme. The event “What actually happens when Viadrina staff fall ill? Or: Illness at the intersection of health and safety, duty of care and performance expectations” attracted a great deal of interest.