The basic principles of democracy are under massive pressure; freedom of science, freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are under threat, said the professor of educational sociology and labour market research at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and long-time director of the Social Science Research Center Berlin at the discourse event on 27 May. In the USA, where President Donald Trump is stopping diversity programmes, excluding foreign students and cutting funding to universities, a culture of fear is emerging. However, Jutta Allmendinger is also concerned when looking at the election manifestos of local parties. "The issues of equality, diversity and integration couldn't be more important. Trust, cohesion and solidarity are the basis of a common democratic understanding."

The author of the book "Es geht nur gemeinsam! Wie wir endlich Geschlechtergerechtigkeit erreichen" (How we can finally achieve gender equality) looks far beyond gender and includes numerous other dimensions of inequality that are closely interlinked. In the discussion about part-time and full-time work, unpaid care work must be taken into account; she would like to see a concept of work instead of a concept of employment that takes different phases of life into account. Educational poverty must be combated by supporting children as early as possible and making neighbourhoods more diverse. Currently, policy is strongly focussed on the most populous, older groups. The key is to introduce young people to democracy as early as possible so that they can help shape their future. Jutta Allmendinger's appeal: "We have room for manoeuvre to strengthen equality and our democracy - we just have to use it."

Rector Prof Dr Birgitta Wolff thanked the former academic companion for her admonishing words as well as for her frequent references to exciting studies on sometimes gaping social injustices. Numerous questions from the audience made it clear that championing anti-discriminatory achievements is the basis for future social stability and should not be taken for granted.