Show your true (rainbow) colours This was the first Tag der Vielfalt at TU Braunschweig
On 14 July 2022, Technische Universität Braunschweig set an example for diversity, tolerance and anti-discrimination for the fifth time now. In addition to the raising of the rainbow flag, which has already become a tradition, this year’s “Tag der Vielfalt” (Diversity Day) included a colourful programme inviting people to contribute their own perspectives, exchange ideas and work together for the rights of queer people.
Informing together
TU Braunschweig has been raising the rainbow flag every year since 2018. This time, this symbolic act was accompanied not only by the applause of all those present, but also by a colourful supporting programme. Projects and initiatives dealing with the issues of diversity and anti-discrimination presented themselves at numerous stands on the university square, which was decorated with colourful pennants and balloons. Among them were representatives of the Autonome FrauenLesbenReferat (Autonomous WomenLesbianDepartment), the AStA-Schwulenreferat (HUBS; AStA Gay Department) and the student network LGBTIQ*@TU.
Experts also discussed the question: What can universities do to promote social diversity at universities? Dr. Isabell Lisberg-Haag, Katja Urbatsch and Maja Bogojević, moderated by President Prof. Angela Ittel, spoke about their personal experiences as first generation academics and ways to improve equal opportunities and educational justice at universities.
As a big surprise, dance performances by the esistso Company together with students from TU Braunschweig and the TUBS Players delighted the audience and drew attention to social and cultural diversity.
Engaging together
“Days like this give us the opportunity to make the value of diversity and variety visible, to start a conversation, to get to know new people and perspectives and to develop ideas together, away from the daily university routine,” said Professor Angela Ittel, President of TU Braunschweig, during her opening speech. “They create visibility for our values and draw our attention to our beliefs that we want and need to fight for every day.”
Kenny Bundschuh, representative of the student network LGBTIQ*@TU, supports this statement: “The rainbow flag, which has been permanently flying on the main campus for a year now, reminds us that the fight against discrimination does not only happen at certain times or only in certain places. Rather, it must happen whenever and wherever hate and exclusion take place.”
Anouk Almstedt of the Diversity Office, organiser of the Tag der Vielfalt, was pleased about the many interested people on site who actively contributed their personal opinions and experiences, and cast a positive glance into the future: “I hope and am convinced that we can take a lot from today and today’s impulses for our future work in the area of diversity and anti-discrimination here at TU Braunschweig.”
The Tag der Vielfalt in pictures
On 14 July 2022, Technische Universität Braunschweig celebrated Tag der Vielfalt for the first time. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
With this event, the university set an example for diversity, acceptance and anti-discrimination. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
Among other things, many projects and initiatives dealing with the topics of diversity and anti-discrimination presented themselves on the university square. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
In a debate moderated by President Prof. Angela Ittel, experts addressed the question: What can universities do to promote social diversity? Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
Two dance performances thrilled the audience. Among them: the esistso-Company of Lebenshilfe Braunschweig together with students of the university under the direction of Dr. Andrea Probst. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
Also present: The Institute of History and Theory of Architecture and the City, headed by Prof. Tatjana Schneider. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
Staff members of the University Library also spoke about the topic of diversity! Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
A team from "SVeN - Schwule Vielfalt erregt Niedersachsen" (Gay Diversity Excites Lower Saxony) was also on site. Photo credits: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
The stand of the S.o.S. programme ("Studying without Language Barriers") was about the learning success and integration of international students at TU Braunschweig. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
Reflecting on diversity through play - this was made possible by the "Identity Lotto" stand. Photo credit: Max Fuhrmann/TU Braunschweig
