Universities to launch a drive against rising xenophobia

Member of the German Rectors' Conference, or HRK universities have launched a national initiative, to oppose xenophobia in Germany, the refugee crisis and sharply rising number of incidents of verbal and physical attacks in recent months against the race.

Their Kiel General Assembly on November 10, HRK President Professor Horst Hipper HRK appealed to members of the university to support the campaign and transparency, to defend tolerance and diversity.

In fact, the issue of university towns and cities are affected to varying degrees, the university agreed to show solidarity against racism and xenophobia, and the use of initiatives under a common logo to highlight this attitude, "transparency, tolerance and xenophobia Universities".

In a statement on its website, HRK said: "Universities are open places. Diverse opinions and form the basis of international exchange activities in their research and teaching. That way they can see the trend of increasing xenophobic, universities are actively in favor of the diversity of opinions and exchange making the bet. "

HRK said universities "workshops for the future of the world" and they are transnational. "A university can only be sustained if you think about the plays and internationally."

After welcoming and asked Germany, Turkey and the European Union to thousands of refugees in the Balkans, especially in the way they do in the destination of Syria, but also in Afghanistan and other countries, but it is fighting and the influx of at least 800,000 asylum request is expected by the end of this year.

There stations lining the local people and refugees in the country by providing food and applause of the scenes, however, the influx is causing a strain on resources and the fear among some citizens, and there was also a right-wing protests and the rising number of racial attacks.

By October, according to Reuters, 576 crimes involving the housing of refugees this year, compared to 198 during the whole of last year. Incidents included 46 actual or attempted arson attacks this year, the last six years.

Professor Tippler the xenophobic verbal and physical attacks warned that "affect humanity and science and have a negative impact on society" is.

U.S. welcomes the initiative

The European University Association, or EUA a meeting, in October, he said: "We will do everything we can to stand up xenophobic tendencies in Germany and Europe. Universities mentality and international exposure to promote and grow. So far, more enlightened places open exchange of thought, diversity of opinions and tolerance prevail . "

Germany's national higher education system closely related to the higher education system. HRK The campus is a clear and open to the international mobility of students and teachers and that is why the international, high-quality teaching, learning and research necessary for the Foundation to its international strategy.

U.S. welcomes the initiative of the HRK.

"Openness, tolerance and the fundamental values ​​of the university, and the diversity of opinions and the free exchange of ideas are the basis of academic teaching and research" and U.S. media said in a statement.

EUA said European universities for international students, staff and researchers, as well as threatened scholars from different parts of the world have a long tradition of welcoming. Today, in Europe, in the form of massive inward migration and the political implications of the weakening of European solidarity, the economic and social challenges are huge.

USA, therefore, universities and their communities that is called racism, against discrimination in the form of national stereotypes, unreservedly committed to an open society, and other social actors are encouraged to do the same.

U.S. President Rolf Torah said: "The main source of European universities, and the transmitter will be a repository of knowledge and knowledge of our continent that leaves room for xenophobia and hatred.

"Instead of those who are forced to leave their countries of our democratic rights and responsibilities of any effort that aims to integrate them in sharing provides the ability to help us."

Seeking government support

For months, the German higher education institutions actively working to integrate a large number of refugees entering the country by HRK, but financial support is for the government to continue the work they are doing.

"Higher education institutions who are potential students, staff and researchers to help refugees to support demand-driven," said Hipper.

Critical early careers counseling, language learning and specific courses to prepare for the integration of refugees and begin their studies. HRK estimates of language learning and training courses for € 4,000 (US $ 4,300) per person per year would cost around.

Until now, the German higher education institutions financed by the measure of their own tight budgets. Members of the group have been selected for overtime work and a lot of people - including students - are working as volunteers.

"Higher education institutions offer courses in the trial are invited to waive fees for students, attend meetings with the authorities to prepare the people to help the refugees and helping them find accommodation," says HRK.