Freie Universität Berlin – Taking a Stand Against Hate and Exclusion, Standing Up for Diversity and Anti-Racism

Racist violence and discrimination are deeply embedded in our society – and exclusion fueled by racism even happens at institutions of higher education like ours. Freie Universität Berlin acknowledges that racism is a societal issue that doesn’t simply stop where our campus begins. We are strongly opposed to racism in all its forms and manifestations. That is why we are reaffirming our stance as a firmly anti-racist institution on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – which takes place every March 21 – as well as on every other day of the year.

At Freie Universität Berlin we strive to reflect upon systemic racism at our institution and aim to dismantle racial discrimination, especially through the measures outlined in the Diversity Strategy and Action Plan 2021–2023. Not only that, but we want to take specific measures to confront discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin, racism, and anti-Semitic assumptions, as well as discrimination that can be considered intersectional. Every diversity measure we put in place must be anti-racist in nature.

We already offer support services at Freie Universität Berlin where instances of racist discrimination can be addressed. The BIPoC Office at ASTA, for example, offers counseling for black students and other students of color, while employees who want to file a complaint regarding racial discrimination on the job can reach out to the Complaint Center for Employees. However, we know that this is not enough. That is why Freie Universität Berlin is committed to creating working structures that put in place counseling for students and employees that they can turn to if they encounter racial discrimination or other types of discrimination as well as services to investigate such incidents.

You can find more information about our internal and external support services and the process of filing a complaint here. 

You can find further information here: Diversity dimension: Ethnic origin, racist and antisemitic assumptions (in German)

Statements for International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022 from the President of Freie Universität Berlin, Prof. Dr. Günter M. Ziegler, and the Vice President for Diversity, Prof. Dr. Verena Blechinger-Talcott