In October 2024, OTH Regensburg launched the event series ‘Aspects of Anti-Semitism’, which examines the topic from various academic perspectives. The final event will take place on 23 January 2025 in the Runtingersaal in cooperation with the City of Regensburg. The Bavarian Commissioner for Jewish Life and Against Anti-Semitism for Remembrance Work and Historical Heritage Bavaria, Dr Ludwig Spaenle, will also provide impetus in a discussion. To mark the occasion, Dr Spaenle met with the President of OTH Regensburg, Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider, and the Vice President and Anti-Semitism Officer of the university, Prof. Dr Christoph Skornia, at the university on 12 November 2024 to discuss the current challenges and perspectives in the fight against anti-Semitism.
‘It is of central importance that universities take a clear stance against anti-Semitism and work to educate society,’ emphasised Dr Spaenle. ‘With its series of events, OTH Regensburg is sending out a strong signal and showing that anti-Semitism can only be effectively combated through dialogue and an understanding of historical and current contexts.’
The event series ‘Aspects of Anti-Semitism’ at OTH Regensburg was created under the conceptual direction of Prof. Dr Martina Ortner in cooperation with the Service Centre for Equality and Diversity. The series examines anti-Semitism from various academic and social perspectives and aims to comprehensively analyse its manifestations and identify ways to prevent it. OTH President Prof Dr Ralph Schneider explained: ‘Our aim is to promote understanding and tolerance through knowledge and education and to actively combat discrimination.’
Vice President Prof. Dr Skornia emphasised the relevance of the university as a place of peaceful and respectful exchange. ‘Anti-Semitism has no place at OTH Regensburg,’ he said. "We promote an environment in which respect and openness take centre stage. With this series of events, we are sending a strong signal in favour of a democratic and diverse society."
The final event in the series will take place on 23 January 2025 in the Runtingersaal in Regensburg. In addition to a short lecture by Dr Annette Seidel-Arpacı from the Research and Information Centre on Anti-Semitism Bavaria (RIAS Bayern), there will be a panel discussion with Lord Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer and Dr Ludwig Spaenle, among others. This event will once again emphasise the social importance of actively confronting anti-Semitism.
With the event series ‘Aspects of anti-Semitism’, OTH Regensburg is sending out a clear signal in favour of tolerance and respectful coexistence - values that are of central importance to the university.
You can find more information about the series of events and the other dates on the OTH Regensburg website.
