In March 2021, Witten/Herdecke University signed the Diversity Charter and thus joined the effort to live equality and diversity at UW/H as a place of teaching, learning and work. We want to enable the different personalities and potentials we unite at the university to develop and realise themselves. Our claim "Here we grow." is based on our principle "Just be you": Growth can only happen if the external conditions allow and fulfil human needs. By "needs", we do not mean basic needs such as food or shelter. Still, those are only expressed when basic needs are met: security, belonging, esteem and the opportunity for self-actualisation (Maslow, 1943).

We are convinced that self-development and the experience of belonging and esteem under the protection of a concept of equality and diversity promote precisely the growth essential for a positive educational experience. After a constitutive phase in the years 2020 to 2023, in which initial steps were taken, e.g. with the "Gender-equitable language" guidelines, various events for days of action such as Feminist Fight Day or Diversity Day or the guideline on dealing with name changes for trans* people, we are now ready to initiate further significant changes towards a discrimination-sensitive and equal opportunity organisation through a broad catalogue of measures.

We in the Equality and Diversity team are committed to non-discriminatory and respectful interaction at our university. We want to provide all university members with a safe and pleasant learning and working environment. In doing so, we work confidentially, focusing on those affected and with an intersectional perspective. We want to raise awareness of different life realities and strengthen the university's open discussion and exchange culture. We are always open to ideas and feedback!