Living Democracy

In these times of violent conflicts and crises around the world, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected.

Upholding mutual respect in our interactions with one another, defending democracy, and protecting academic and scientific freedom are of the utmost importance to us, even more so in an era when these values can no longer be taken for granted in our country. At Mainz University of Applied Sciences, we stand united in defense of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany and liberal democratic principles.

We put this into practice by fostering an environment that encourages reflection, open dialogue, and democratic discourse, even on controversial social topics and opinions, at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. A respectful and peaceable coexistence plays a fundamental role here. We foster and expect critical yet courteous exchanges in teaching and research settings. Compassion, respect, and tolerance are our core values.

As an educational organization, we believe it is our responsibility to prepare all members of our university community for the civic duties and responsibilities inherent in a complex democracy and to encourage active engagement in our society. We celebrate diversity and strictly prohibit discrimination based on background, gender, or religious beliefs. We actively promote equal opportunities for the diverse community we serve by fostering exchanges with multiple perspectives in heterogeneous groups. We design our teaching materials to be accessible, bias-conscious, and gender-equitable, and we offer dedicated programs and resources to support gender equality.

To be ready for the future and remain competitive, universities must embrace an international mindset and approach. An open, international campus with mobile faculty and students forms the bedrock of high-quality teaching, learning, and research.

We take pride in our open-minded, international community and explicitly welcome the fact that people from all over the world with a wide variety of backgrounds study and work at our university. To preserve this inclusive environment, all university members must uphold and foster an atmosphere that guarantees the protection against discrimination enshrined in the Constitution.

We stand firmly against trends that normalize anti-scientific sentiments, racism, and intolerance and erode trust in democracy. Mainz University of Applied Sciences is dedicated to shaping the future and, as a member of the alliance Demokratie gewinnt! (Democracy Wins!), is committed to bolstering social unity and fostering trust in liberal democracy.