TU Braunschweig to Host 67th Annual Conference on Universities as Democracy Hubs
The Technical University of Brunswick (TU Braunschweig) is set to host the 67th Annual Conference of the Association of Chancellors of German Universities on September 18 and 19, 2023. The conference, themed 'Universities - Places of Democracy', will explore the role of universities in maintaining democratic spaces amidst current challenges.
Lower Saxony's Minister of Science, Falko Mohrs, has expressed support for universities acting as centers of debate, pluralism, and critical thinking. He plans to strengthen them through a modern higher education act. Meanwhile, Dietmar Smyrek, full-time vice-president of TU Braunschweig, has emphasized the importance of universities as places of freedom, responsibility, and resilience for protecting democracy.
University leaders, including chancellors, face pressure from various stakeholders such as students, staff, political actors, and societal groups. This pressure often manifests in protests and demands, sometimes questioning academic freedom. The upcoming conference aims to address these challenges and discuss the significance of democratic processes as framework conditions for universities, with a focus on the role of chancellors.
The conference, hosted by TU Braunschweig, which is committed to being an open and international university, will provide a platform for university administrators to discuss and advocate for efficient and future-oriented universities. The event underscores the commitment of the university and its leaders to uphold the democratic values and principles that underpin higher education.
