Working together for an open and fair society Working together in future – TU Braunschweig and Braunschweig Anti-Discrimination Agency (‘Antidiskriminierungsstelle’)

On 4 February 2026, TU President Angela Ittel and Kerstin Hartmann-Moos, Managing Director of the ‘Volkshochschule’ (Adult Education Centre), agreed on a cooperation between the Technische Universität Braunschweig and the ‘Antidiskriminierungsstelle’ (ADS, Anti-Discrimination Office) Braunschweig. The aim is to raise awareness of the ADS’s advisory services at the Technical University and to provide university members with low-threshold access to qualified anti-discrimination advice. The cooperation supports the strategic orientation of the TU Braunschweig to intensify and expand its regional network within the framework of the Ecoversity Initiative. It supports both the implementation of the diversity strategy of the TU Braunschweig and the ADS’s mission to provide visible and effective counselling services for the urban community.

Franca Özkan (Antidiskriminierungsstelle (Anti-Discrimination Office) Braunschweig), Prof. Angela Ittel (President of TU Braunschweig), Kersten Hartmann-Moos (VHS Braunschweig), Theresa Wegner (representing Anouk Almstedt, TU Braunschweig/Strategic University Development). Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig

“The intensification of the cooperation offers us the opportunity to strengthen collaboration in the region and to jointly create strong and resilient structures against discrimination,” says Prof. Angela Ittel, President of the TU Braunschweig.

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) forms the legal framework in Germany for protection against discrimination in working life, everyday life and on the housing market. It protects people who are discriminated against on the basis of their ethnic origin or racist attributions, their gender, their religion or worldview, a disability, their age or their sexual orientation. Such experiences are often very stressful for those affected and not only impair their well-being, but also their trust in social institutions.

TU Braunschweig’s diversity strategy: reliable structures and advice

TU Braunschweig addresses this issue in its diversity strategy published in 2024. Anti-discrimination is anchored as a strategic goal and is specified in the field of action “Discrimination-critical university”. Among other things, reliable counselling services for those affected and transparent and structured procedures for dealing with cases of discrimination are planned.

ADS Braunschweig as a central point of contact

“Our goal is to set an example for anti-discrimination, to further promote the counselling services offered by the ‘Antidiskriminierungsstelle’ (Anti-Discrimination Office), and thus to contribute to open and fair coexistence,” says Anouk Almstedt from Strategic University Development/Diversity Management at TU Braunschweig.

The ADS in Braunschweig plays a central role in this. It offers independent, confidential and free counselling for people who have experienced discrimination – from emotional support and clarification of legal issues to possible interventions.

A sustainable step towards open and fair coexistence

Against this backdrop, the cooperation between TU Braunschweig and the ADS is a meaningful and sustainable step. It strengthens professional exchange and shared responsibility for a discrimination-sensitive university culture.