Freiberg University of Technology is a cosmopolitan place. Diversity of opinion and international exchange have always been the basis of our research and teaching activities.

The academic discourse between students and lecturers regardless of their origin, nationality, faith, gender or sexual orientation is a matter of course for us; we stand against any form of discrimination or belittlement. We refer to the constitutional principles of freedom of research and teaching and see their protection as a constant obligation. We therefore call for the constitutional principles of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, and thus in particular the dignity of every human being, to be protected against attacks. We hereby express our deeply felt disapproval of xenophobia, violence and intolerance.

The universities united in the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) have launched a nationwide campaign against xenophobia in Germany. "Universities are cosmopolitan places. Diversity of opinion and international exchange are the basis of their research and teaching activities. In view of the currently recognisable increase in xenophobic tendencies, universities feel called upon to stand up for these values," explained former HRK President Prof. Dr Horst Hippler.

For TU Bergakademie Freiberg, too, regional roots and internationality go hand in hand. Around 4,000 young people study in Freiberg - around 50 per cent of whom come from abroad. Students from over 60 countries of various denominations and cultures have found a second home in the university town. "As a university, we exemplify cosmopolitanism and tolerance," explained Rector Prof Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht. Many of the foreign students have come to Freiberg because of the excellent national and international reputation of the Bergakademie. For centuries, the university has not only attracted young people from Saxony and other federal states, but also from abroad. To ensure that this remains the case, it is important that the university and the city continue to demonstrate this openness.

"Freiberg not only offers our students a modern university with a special familiar charm, but also a diverse cultural environment," said the Rector. This can be seen, for example, in the Festival of Cultures, which is organised annually in Freiberg. The festival is organised by the "One World and Integration" working group of the Freiberg Agenda 21 e.V. The city of Freiberg, the district of Central Saxony, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and numerous international restaurants, companies and private individuals support the event.

"TU Freiberg is also opposed to all forms of anti-Semitism. Our professors, staff and students stand for an open-minded university, tolerance and equality and thus against any form of discrimination," explains the Senate.

Jewish life on campus must not be jeopardised, Jewish researchers, teachers and students must be able to feel safe at all universities. Research on anti-Semitism, its origins and its effects, corresponding offers in studies and teaching as well as the transfer of knowledge to multipliers and decision-makers are of the utmost importance for successfully combating anti-Semitism.

German universities are centres of democratic culture, places of dialogue and sites of diversity. With the campaign "Weltoffene Hochschulen gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit" (Open-minded universities against xenophobia), universities have already set an example and called for clear commitments and decisive action in favour of a tolerant and open-minded society. In addition, universities in Germany have a special historical responsibility to resolutely oppose all forms of anti-Semitism.

In memory of the victims of National Socialism who lived and worked in Freiberg, "Stolpersteine" can be found in the city centre, including on Burgstraße. The "stones against forgetting" commemorate the terrible events of anti-Semitism in the past.