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HU200: Let's celebrate

200 years university Unter den Linden – „The modern classic“

From October 2009 to December 2010 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin presents itself as „The modern classic“ and asks, what role do and should universities play in the economy, in politics, in culture and in society at large?

The key issues of the bicentenary year are the basic principles of the university: freedom, responsibility, education, independence, research and future. They are still as valid as ever and can serve as a reliable guide for our efforts to translate the ideas of the brothers Humboldt into the 21st century.
The spirit of the main bicentennial events are structured by the key issues. They will be accompanied by a highly diversified supporting programme demonstrating the richness of academic life at our university.

The bicentenary year starts on 12th October 2009.
We invite you to celebrate with us, to discuss and to think about a better university.

The detailed programm is coming soon!


Key Issues in the Bicentenary Year

Future:
We believe that the original of all modern universities is just as innovative today as it was two hundred years ago. At the conference ‘Modell Humboldt – Vergangenheit und Zukunft einer Idee’ (‘The Humboldt Model – An Idea – Past and Present) leading scientists, policy makers and science managers will consider the relevance of Humboldt’s ideals for our time.

Responsibility:
We live with two hundred years of turbulent history. The university’s unique history at the centre of the city and the country is shown in all its facets in the exhibition ‘Inmitten der Stadt – 200 Jahre Universität Unter den Linden’ (‘In the middle of town – 200 years of University at Unter den Linden’).

Freedom:
We ask, what does freedom for science mean today? Prominent scientists and politicians from all over the world will discuss the future of university education in four debates.
Independence: We highlight the dependencies of scientists in the past and today. A permanent art intervention will make the famous Karl Marx quotation in the foyer of Humboldt University the focus of new discussions of our past and of the present.

Education:
We take the postulate: ‘Education for All’ seriously and make information freely accessible to the general public. With the opening of the Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum, the university will set a precedent for how information can be accessed by everyone. This centre will be the largest open-access library in the German-speaking world and will be open until midnight on weekdays.

Research:
We will try to stimulate the interest of people from all backgrounds in new research. In the spirit of Alexander von Humboldt, Humboldt University is organizing a discovery-tour throughout Berlin thus involving the Berliners and their guests in an active process of exploration.


FURTHER INFORMATION

http://www.hu200.de/front-page-en