News

HM stands up for democracy

UAS7 calls for a Week of Academic Freedom

13/09/2026

15 September is International Democracy Day.
Democracy is the foundation for freedom of research and teaching, for open debate, diversity, equality of opportunity and an open-minded attitude towards the world. The UAS7 – German Universities of Applied Sciences network is taking this day as an opportunity to take a stand and champion these values.

To this end, the UAS7 universities are organising a “Week of Academic Freedom” from 14 to 18 September 2026. Under the slogan “Show your face”, students, researchers, staff members and university management will have their say and demonstrate which democratic values they personally stand for.

Open universities for everyone
As one of the seven UAS7 universities, HM is also taking part in the campaign.
HM Professor Elke Wolf shows her face for open universities. As a professor of economics at the Department of Engineering and Management and HM’s Women’s Representative, she champions universities that are open to everyone and where free discussion is possible.
For Elke Wolf, openness is not just a question of equal opportunities, but also of the quality of teaching and research.

Diversity, equity, inclusion
HM student Nils Damm also wants to take a stand for democracy: “I’m standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion because we are all human beings and deserve a fairer world.”

He is studying Management of Social Innovation at the Department of Applied Social Sciences and has been actively involved in the departmental student representation since he began his studies. From October 2026, his first official term of office will begin in the student parliament and on the Faculty Council of the Department of Applied Social Sciences.

He sees his involvement as an opportunity to experience self-efficacy, develop abilities and campaign for a fairer world. For him, democracy is “not a given, but a matter of taking responsibility”. Voluntary commitment is therefore an important part of a vibrant democracy.

Through this campaign, the UAS7 universities are highlighting the democratic values that their members stand for and what matters to them. After all, democracy thrives not only on institutions and rules, but also on the commitment and participation of many people.

We are standing up for democracy – UAS7.


Heidi Bundschus