The annual Diversity week from the Gender and Diversity Management at the University of Cologne will be taking place on the 14-18 June 2021. The central theme of the activities: “You make the difference!” is designed to raise awareness on equal opportunities, while addressing the hurdles and opportunities of nurturing an atmosphere of inclusivity and diversity. The week’s activites include workshops, lectures, and selected readings, open to students, staff and interested parties.
The highlight to the series of events is a live lecture and discussion, on 14th June 2021, 14:30 – 16:30, titled “Critical Whiteness – How can white people at the University of Cologne be critical of racism?”. A debate intended to question reproduced societal power structures, normative concepts and privileges. Under the overarching theme, the discussions broadly reflect on the responsibilities and roles in decolonizing academia in German Universities.
The keynote address will be given by Sami Omar, adept in themes surrounding racism and discrimination, with additional remarks from Marianne Bechhaus – Gerst, a professor at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Cologne.
