The University of Bremen now has a “Room of Silence”, officially opened to the university public by Professor Yasemin Karaka?o?lu, Vice Rector for Intercultural and International Affairs. The room is meant to serve as a place of refuge for those seeking peace, meditation and prayer. It is part of the university’s concept of diversity, and it promises to be a place of inter-religious, cross-cultural, and inter-worldview dialogue as well.
Under the initiative of the rectorate, a working group of dedicated university members developed a concept for the design of the room, which has now been successfully implemented. The group consisted of various university associations, including the Christian university communities and the Islamic Student Federation, as well as representatives of the Department of Cultural Studies and Education and the International Office.
The interior design of the room was kept neutral, and thus it can be used by university students and members regardless of their ideology. Vice Rector Karaka?o?lu emphasized this in her speech: "The Room of Silence is available to any and all members and guests of our university, who are looking for a retreat from their hectic schedule or to gain new strength for everyday life. We have chosen this concept to express our appreciation of the lived diversity we have on our campus. With regard to our international guests, it is also a sign of our welcoming university culture. "
Gunther Gerlach, from the Faculty of Cultural Studies, will lead a seminar on the Room of Silence during the summer semester 2013, wherein he and his students will develop additional design concepts for the room and then present them in an exhibition. The items inside the Room of Silence were generously donated by Sparkasse.
The Room of Silence is centrally located in the building GW2, B1800 and is open from 7:00-20:00.
More Information:
Universität Bremen
Vice Rector for Intercultural and International Affairs
Prof.Dr.Yasemin Karaka?o?lu
E-Mail: kon3protect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
and
International Office
Janna Rodi
E-Mail: janna.rodiprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
Phone +49 421/218-60382
