News and Events regarding Diversity at the University of Bonn
Here you can find the current projects, workshops and events that deal with the different dimensions of diversity in everyday university life.
Retrospective Diversity Days 2025
To mark German Diversity Day, the Vice Rectorate and the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit once again organised the Diversity Days, this year entitled ‘Family Matters: Balance & Belonging’.
Successful re-audit "Vielfalt Gestalten"
Following the re-audit in November 2024, the University of Bonn has now been awarded the ‘Vielfalt Gestalten’ certificate for another three years. The peers particularly praised the promotion of women and the increase in the proportion of female professors to over 30 per cent. The certificate recognises universities with successful concepts and measures in the area of diversity.
New sports programme "GemeinsamAktiv"
The Buddy Programme ‘GemeinsamAktiv’ was launched as an inclusive sports programme by University Sports in cooperation with the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit in order to reduce barriers and inhibitions to using sports facilities. The programme is open to all students at the University of Bonn, with a particular focus on students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Buddies are trained accordingly and also have the opportunity to acquire a coaching licence as part of the programme. The Buddy Programme is based on the concept of learning in tandem and aims to create a supportive sports environment where everyone can experience the positive effects of physical activity and social interaction.
‘Gender Studies’ certificate for students
From the winter semester 2024/25 on, students from all faculties and degree programmes at the University of Bonn will be able to complete the ‘Gender Studies’ certificate and thus set a subject-specific and personal study focus for themselves. The aim is to teach individual gender competence for research, teaching and other professional, political and private contexts.
The certificate is comprised of basic and subject-specific specialisation modules and teaches practical experience totalling 16 ECTS credits. It can be completed within two (or more) semesters, depending on your study plans. The certificate is offered by the Centre for Theological Gender Research at the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Bonn.
Rhineland Network for Equal Opportunities
Promoting equal opportunities and thus creating an open and appreciative working and study environment is the goal of our work. To reinforce this goal, the University of Bonn has become a member of the Rhineland Network for Equal Opportunities and joins in following its shared guidelines.
Their core elements are
- increasing diversity in the leadership of academia and administration,
- responsibility for reconciling family, studies and career in all lifestyles and life situations,
- ensuring equal-opportunity talent development and enabling careers,
- the reduction of discrimination, and
- strengthening gender, queer and diversity studies in teaching and research.
We are stronger as a team. This is why the University of Bonn is a member of the Rhineland Network for Equal Opportunities since September 2023, together with the University of Cologne, the RWTH Aachen University, the Cologne University of Technology, the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, the German Aerospace Centre and the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences. Our work is guided by the guidelines and the joint efforts of our network partners.
Funding Initiative: ‘Diversity at German Universities’
The University of Bonn has successfully applied for project funding as part of the "Diversity at German Universities" initiative. The initiative is run by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Among other things, it aims to support German universities in making diversity more visible, promoting their own diversity strategies and encouraging the participation of all university members in the process. A total of 33 universities receive funding for diversity projects under the initiative.
Guide to Gender Equitable Language
Gender-equitable language is an increasingly important issue in Germany, both in society as a whole as well as at universities in specific. Precise expression is especially important in an academic context, which is why choosing language that is as correct and inclusive as possible is a priority. The Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit is currently working with the AG Diversity to develop a guide for gender-equitable language. This will serve as a working aid for all members of the University of Bonn. Until this guideline is published, we recommend the Faculty of Agriculture's guideline for gender-equitable language, which can be viewed here.
Introducing people from the AG Diversity
Many members and students at the University of Bonn are committed to an open approach to diversity and individuality. They contribute their topics and perspectives and thus help the university to advance on its diversity-orientated path. A selection of central contact persons introduce themselves on a new website (German). They are the point of contact for those who need support, advice or simply a sympathetic listener.
If you would also like to get involved in the Diversity Working Group, you can find more information here.
Solidarity with Ukraine
On the occasion of the Russian war in the Ukraine, the University and State Library Bonn (ULB) presents topic-related literature from its holdings and refers to selected websites of trustworthy institutions that serve as sources of information or enable private assistance.
Contact
Anna Hollstegge (she/her)
Poppelsdorfer Allee 24
53115 Bonn
Ruth Ellen Bischoff (she/her)
Poppelsdorfer Allee 24
53115 Bonn