In January of this year, more than 110 organisations and 190 individuals launched an appeal for democracy and cohesion under the motto "Brandenburg takes a stand!". The Brandenburg State Conference of University Presidents published a joint statement:

"Openness to the world, democratic freedom and the rule of law are the foundations on which the universities of Brandenburg stand. They are the cornerstones of research and teaching and a prerequisite for our future and competitive higher education landscape.

Life, learning and research at Brandenburg's universities is diverse, international and characterised by tolerant, constructive and supportive cooperation. The international mobility of our teaching staff and students is an essential basis for high-quality teaching, learning and research.

Brandenburg's universities will not allow anti-democratic and right-wing extremist forces to attempt to undermine the cohesion of our society, trust in liberal democracy and academic freedom.

As universities in the state of Brandenburg, we firmly oppose anti-human and anti-democratic, racist and anti-Semitic positions."

Excerpts from the aims of the "Brandenburg takes a stand!" campaign:

• We are committed to a democratic, tolerant and cosmopolitan Brandenburg.
• We are in favour of a diverse society based on solidarity.
• We are in favour of open discussion, objective debate and respectful interaction with one another.
• We want to live in a society in which all people are accepted and respected in their diversity. Racism, anti-Semitism, intolerance, hatred and marginalisation have no place here.

You can sign the petition at: https://www.brandenburg-zeigt-haltung.de/

The Brandenburg State Conference of University Presidents (BLHP) is an association of the ten state universities in the state of Brandenburg. It promotes cooperation between the universities in the fields of education and science and deals with overarching higher education policy issues.