Never again! – Discussion about memory and responsibility in Germany

Never again! – Discussion about memory and responsibility in Germany

On April 2, 2025, the Diversity Support Center (DSC) at the University of Duisburg-Essen will launch an important discussion entitled “Never again!” – an appeal against right-wing ideas in Germany. This event, which takes place in two sessions, is intended to provide a space for respectful discussion. The first session will be held in German on April 7, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Essen campus, followed by an event in English on April 9, 2025, which will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Duisburg campus. Registration is required.

The goal of this discussion is to increase the collective understanding of “Never again!” and to discuss its influence on living environments and feelings of community at universities. Particular emphasis is placed on respectful statements that are not hurtful in nature, which is a central part of the conditions of participation.

Moderators with expertise

The event will be moderated by two recognized experts: Yariv Lapid, a historian and educator who does educational work at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Monika Hübscher, who studies topics such as anti-Semitism and the Middle East conflict at the University of Duisburg-Essen and holds a master's degree in Holocaust Studies.

In a broader context, the question arises as to how scientific considerations can take place in a polarized and moralized public. The extent to which science remains neutral and objective while at the same time being confronted with social challenges such as anti-Semitism, racism and migration will be discussed. These aspects are the focus of a lecture series that will take place from May 28th to July 9th, 2024 at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. This series includes lectures by well-known scientists and aims to explore the balance between scientific distance and political positioning.

Culture of remembrance and social diversity

The Holocaust represents a central point in the German culture of remembrance, which is also of crucial importance in social debates about Germany's diversity. Christa Wolf once remarked: “The past is not dead. It is not even past.” This is particularly true of the Holocaust, which remains anchored in German society as a painful historical reality. However, the discourse about this is often controversial and requires a sensitive examination of the diversity of German biographies.

The memory of the Holocaust could strengthen the German consensus as a confession of shared history. But questions arise: Is the conversation about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism in our society open to all parts? How can the diversity of perspectives of both Jews and German-Palestinians be taken into account? Dialogue about Auschwitz and anti-Semitism could provide a path towards a better understanding of human dignity.

The upcoming events not only offer the opportunity for a critical discussion about the Holocaust, but also a platform for discussing the challenges of social integration in an increasingly heterogeneous German society. An open dialogue is crucial in order to give every individual an equal place in the conversation and to promote social participation.

For further information about the event, those interested can visit the website Diversity Support Center Visit or contact Monika Hübscher (dsc-beratung@uni-due.de) directly via email.