Diversity Prize 2021

Due to the Corona pandemic, Dr. Inge Krümpelbeck and Prof. Dr. Stefan Marschall presented the awards in front of a small audience to Caroline Ogechukwu Okoli, Danielle-Christine Ebers and Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfeffer (from left to right).

Diversity inspires: This is demonstrated by the Diversity Award of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU), which has now been awarded for the third time. The honorees represent all those who are committed to equal opportunity and ensure that everyone can freely develop their potential. Excellence through diversity - they breathe life into this HHU principle.

On May 19, 2021, the Diversity Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfeffer, former Vice Rector for Strategic Management and Equal Opportunity and Head of the Medical Institute of Microbiology, to Danielle-Christine Ebers, research assistant at the Faculty of Humanities, and to medical student Caroline Ogechukwu Okoli. The three honorees were chosen by a committee consisting of representatives of all status groups, Prorector Prof. Dr. Stefan Marschall, and the head of the Diversity Section (formerly the Diversity Coordination Office) of the Heine Center for Sustainable Development, Dr. Inge Krümpelbeck. She emphasized, "The response to the Diversity Award continues to grow, which makes me very happy. Despite Corona, 20 people were nominated." Professor Marschall likewise sees the positive developments: "It's great that, also through this award, awareness of the opportunities our university has through its diversity has grown."

Background
The Diversity Award is presented annually to representatives of the three status groups: faculty, students and staff. All members of HHU are eligible to nominate individuals who are or have been especially committed to

Living diversity, equal opportunity and tolerance at the university,
initiating and implementing diversity-sensitizing projects,
contributing to the diversity dimensions of HHU,
designing and offering diversity-sensitive teaching, or
work for the active reduction of prejudices and physical and psychological barriers.

Here you can find information on other years

Prof. Dr. med. Klaus Pfeffer

Prizewinner in the group of professors & lecturers

"Only through one's own commitment can each individual help to counteract undesirable social developments and to improve things."

Prof. Dr. med. Klaus Pfeffer

Degree / Profession
Head of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene at the HHU, medical doctor
What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"Throughout his tenure as prorector, he has been extraordinarily committed to the topic of diversity, established the Diversity Coordination Office, ensured that the Diversity Fund was set up, and created new framework conditions through the Designing Diversity Audit. Examples of this are the newly designed room of silence, the guide & handout for barrier-free teaching and diversity, the navigation app Blindsquare Event for sighted and non-sighted people."
How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
I have been involved in the field of diversity at HHU since 2014. In my former position as Vice Rector for Strategic Management and Equal Opportunity, I ensured, among other things, that the Diversity Coordination Office was implemented in 2015 and that HHU successfully participated in the Stifterverband audit from 2016-2019. I also relaunched and implemented various projects together with the coordination office to make the topic more visible at HHU.
What motivated you to get involved?
As a former Vice Rector for the topic of equal opportunity, I saw it as my very own task during my tenure to get involved here. I am also interested in issues like First Generation because of my own biography.
In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
From my point of view, participation in the re-audit is an important step to further develop diversity work in the future. In addition, securing financial and human resources from the rectorate is a prerequisite for continuing the successful work of the Diversity Coordination Office as the Diversity Section in the newly founded HCSD. The implementation of a racism officer at the HHU in the near future would also be a welcome development.
Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
Only through one's own commitment can each individual help to counteract undesirable social developments and to improve things. You should not always rely on the energy of others, but get involved yourself.
What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
It varies, most students are inclined towards the topic, some colleagues react very positively and curiously, others, however, make no secret of the fact that the topic either does not seem to concern them or that they do not consider it relevant in the context of the "university".
Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
To better implement the topic of equal opportunities and diversity in appointment procedures at HHU and to train the members of the appointment committees and faculty councils would certainly be a project in which it would be worthwhile for the faculties of HHU to get involved.

Danielle-Christine Ebers

Prizewinner in the group of staff members

"Every hour I have invested in volunteer hours so far, I see as teaching lessons for myself as well."

Danielle-Christine Ebers, 29

Degree / Profession
Master of Social Sciences-Social Structures and Democratic Governance
Research assistant in the Department of Educational Research and Educational Management
What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"I participated in the course "Flight, Asylum and Integration", led by Ms. Ebers, for two semesters and was able to gain an incredible amount of hands-on experience and meet great kids and young people. This important work, especially with refugee children should be appreciated in the form of a prize. In addition, Ms. Ebers supported me, in the form of writing recommendations and advice, to complete a semester abroad in Asia."
"Danielle Ebers is committed to diversity and volunteerism at HHU. With the project seminar Flight, Asylum and Integration, she offers students the opportunity to deal with socially relevant topics and to connect theory with practice. Together with Ms. Ebers, students can organize and implement projects for refugee children and young people."
How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
In 2016, I participated as a student in the seminar Flight, Asylum and Integration under the direction of Philip Clooth and developed with fellow students the language buddy project, which was intended to provide immigrants with access to society, culture and language through sponsorships between refugees and students. In the summer semester 2019, I took over the service-learning seminar on flight, asylum and integration and developed projects together with students that support refugees in their integration. Since WS 20/21, as part of the service-learning seminar Diversity at Universities, I have been organizing projects together with students, online due to the pandemic, in which people with a wide range of personality traits can tell their stories, thereby promoting the appreciation of a diverse society and creating more mutual acceptance. In addition, some projects are planned to be implemented on campus after reopening.
What motivated you to get involved?
The dramatic war conditions in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan led to a high number of refugees in 2015. People fled to Europe via life-threatening routes (across the Mediterranean Sea) and many tried to travel on to Germany. During this time, I began volunteering for refugees at the long-distance train station in Düsseldorf because I wanted to actively help. For months, we provided the thousands of arriving people with food and clothing and arranged their onward journey to the refugee shelters throughout NRW was. [...] Since then, I have initiated integration projects and, through my position first as students assistant and then as a research assistant, I have also wanted to inspire students to dedicate themselves to volunteer projects and to use their creative ideas for social projects. [...] The approach behind diversity is to promote equal opportunities and social participation for all group members.
Since I am convinced of this, I am committed to diversity and would like to develop ideas together with students that sensitize people to the individuality of people and emphasize this as a strength instead of degrading, discriminating or excluding people because of it.
In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
In order to get students excited about volunteering, there should be more service-learning seminars in various departments. Through service-learning, students can not only gain practical experience, but also get to know their own strengths in projects and use them for social problems and the common good. They learn about social responsibility and develop solutions for social challenges.
I would be happy to exchange ideas with all HHU members who are involved in the area of diversity, possibly in the form of network meetings. New project ideas could be discussed there and synergies could arise.
It would be interesting if there were regular discussion forums in which students could also participate. In these forums, needs for action at HHU could also be addressed from a student perspective.
It would make a lot of sense if there were training opportunities for staff and faculty to raise awareness of how to deal with students. I am often told by students of incidents where lecturers have made sexist and discriminatory comments, which simply should not be permitted at a university and is avoidable.
Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
In my eyes, there is no recipe why a person should volunteer. Some people start volunteering to feel better about themselves, others because they like to help, others to gain new experiences, some to find new social contacts and so on.
I am often told that my commitment is only a "drop in the bucket".For me, however, this is often only a justification for my own inactivity, and after all, many drops eventually lead to overflowing. The special thing about volunteering is that I don't receive a monetary reward, but perhaps a smile or a sincere thank you. It's just nice to help people in need or generally make people happy. Every hour I have invested in volunteer hours so far, I see as teaching lessons for myself as well. I have been able to meet many people with different fates, which has taught me that nothing can be taken for granted and that I should be grateful for what I have.
What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
The feedback from students is often that they are very grateful for the experience they have gained and are looking forward to being able to get involved in practical and social activities during their studies. As part of the service-learning seminar, the students were able to carry out business games of their own ideas and implement them without any risk to themselves. Some students told me that this motivated them to become more independent and to courageously realize their own ideas.
I think students appreciated the fact that I invested my free time in the implementation of their project ideas, which in turn motivated them to continue working on the projects on weekends and in the evenings. Most of the time I had a part-time job at HHU and still took over the complete management of all projects and helped organize programs for refugee children on weekends, because I do this out of passion and voluntarily. Students often praised this authentic enthusiasm for volunteering.
Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
We would like to launch a Youtube channel on the topic of diversity. The Youtube channel will address taboo topics. We will conduct interviews with people of different origins, gender, skin color, with physical and mental impairments, sexual identities...and we want to show how valuable the individuality of each person is.
Project development for people who suffer especially from the contact restrictions in the corona pandemic : The projects address people who suffer from loneliness, financial hardship, social deprivation and mental illness.
Once attendance at HHU resumes, projects are planned to bring HHU residents closer together. E.g. a charity run, organization of a picnic basket distribution station in the botanical garden...

Caroline Ogechukwu Okoli

Prizewinner in the group of students

"My biggest goal is to one day have the opportunities to sustainably open doors and let people come to the table who normally aren't even in the room."

Caroline Okoli, 25

Degree / Profession
Student of human medicine (5th year)
What you will be honoured for as a prizewinner? - Excerpts from the nomination letter
"Caroline was the first anti-discrimination officer of the AStA of HHU and built up the prototype of the anti-discrimination report single-handedly! She has organized umpteen terrific events for various groups experiencing discrimination! She has also brought several great poetry slams against racism to the stage at HHU! Currently, she is the Gender Equality Officer at HHU. She has inspired me and other people with her strong fighting spirit against discrimination of all kinds. She is constantly educating herself."
"I met Caroline as a fellow student and then experienced her role as an anti-racism officer for the first time at a film screening she organized. Through her positive and engaging nature, she inspires both her personal circle and other students and interested parties about the issues she cares about. She has been advocating for anti-discrimination and equality at the university for four years now and serves on BVMD's anti-racism task force."
"Caro has been involved in anti-discrimination and equality at the university for 4 years. She is also currently involved with Antiracism Taskforce for BVMDs. She is also involved with International Medical Students as a tutor for pre-clinical subjects."
[...]
How long have you been involved in the field of diversity at the HHU?
I have been involved in diversity my entire life. Growing up as a Black woman in Austria and now studying medicine in Germany is my biggest statement so far. My first commitment at HHU in this context started with an honorary position as the first anti-racism officer of the AStA (General Students' Committee). Since then, I have become more and more involved in socio-political matters and have also outgrown myself.
What motivated you to get involved?
I would have to lie to say that my involvement was in any way based on an active decision-making process. I had no other choice, probably out of a sense of duty and responsibility to my fellow human beings and also to myself. Be it at school, where I actively resisted bullying in order to protect others and myself. Or in the figurative sense to free myself from pigeonholes into which other people have tried to force me from an early age. I am a person who can not accept injustice of any kind, but from the first moment, forms an active counterpole. My biggest goal is to one day have the possibilities to sustainably open doors and let people come to the table who are normally not even in the room.
In your opinion, what can be done on the part of the HHU to continue, expand or support the results of the respective commitments?
What would you like to see the HHU do in the future with regard to diversity?
MORE ACTIVE LISTENING. I think that's a big problem in our society. We are so busy listening to ourselves talk that we don't even notice what the other person is saying. Let alone let them have an effect on us.
TAKE MORE SUSTAINABLE RESPONSIBILITY. This point explains why many great ideas quickly come to nothing. By withdrawing from our own responsibility, we try to escape any form of accountability, in order to continue to unabashedly point the finger at the "others" and to be able to delegate topics in peace. [...]
Why should others get involved? / Why is it worthwhile?
This question would have irritated me a few years ago. In all probability, I would then have answered with the counter-question, "Why shouldn't they do it?!". In the course of my various roles and offices, however, I have come to realize that not everyone shares the same views on commitment and social responsibility. Not everyone is fully aware of his/her power to change the system. Often, these questions are followed by responses such as "Nothing changes anyway," "What can I do?" or "My opinion doesn't matter anyway." A state of resignation. If we could manage to transform this state of resignation into a state of action, then as if by itself, many more people would feel called to make the difference.
What is the feedback from colleagues or students?
My environment is filled with people who, like me, are engaged in socio-political issues or focus on problems that are also of concern to me. Accordingly, I could answer this question bluntly: "Great! We are finally taking small steps in the right direction. We are actively making history."
Whether that's actually the case or I'm actually overlooking a gigantic blind spot - I can't conclusively determine. Let's hope not.
Is there already a new project that you would like to tackle in the future and which you could already tell us about?
I am currently working together with the Federal Association of Medical Students in Germany to establish an anti-racism task force. The goal is to introduce critical thinking about racism as a teaching point in medical studies. Because being anti-racist is not simply not being a presumed racist. It is the conscious decision to actively intervene in what is happening and to break through those walls that we have learned to ignore with flying colors.