Hesse’s Public University Fights Antisemitism Through Education and Partnerships
The Hesse University for Public Administration and Security (HöMS) has been actively combating antisemitism and promoting democratic values. It recently contributed to a panel discussion and has a cooperation agreement with the Jewish Community of Wiesbaden. The HöMS, along with the Hesse Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV), is committed to protecting Jewish individuals and communities.
The HöMS performs law enforcement functions and oversees continuing education for all employees of Hesse’s state administration. It offers academic programs in Police and Public Administration faculties, with a focus on strengthening democratic values and intercultural competence. The HöMS takes a firm stand against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, developing preventive strategies and measures for civic education and democratic resilience.
In a significant step, the HöMS has a pioneering cooperation agreement with the Jewish Community of Wiesbaden. This agreement aims to give Hesse’s police officers a deeper understanding of Jewish life in the state and broaden their knowledge of antisemitism and societal diversity. Police officers, who encounter antisemitism in their daily work, are tasked with protecting Jewish individuals and communities, investigating antisemitic crimes, and recognizing hateful statements, slogans, images, and memes.
The HöMS has also contributed to a panel discussion titled 'Identifying, Isolating, and Prosecuting Hate: A Case Study from Hesse' at the invitation of the European Jewish Association (EJA). This demonstrates the HöMS's commitment to sharing its expertise and collaborating with other organizations to combat antisemitism.
The LfV Hesse has launched the campaign 'No Space for Antisemitism' and conducted a comprehensive study titled 'Antisemitism as a Cross-Cutting Phenomenon in Hesse’s Protest Landscape After October 7, 2023'. These initiatives reflect the LfV's role as an early-warning system for extremist activities and its dedication to safeguarding Germany’s free democratic basic order.
The HöMS and the LfV Hesse are at the forefront of combating antisemitism and promoting democratic values in Hesse. Through their educational programs, cooperation agreements, and public initiatives, they are working to protect Jewish communities, educate police officers, and strengthen democratic resilience. Their joint statement during a visit to Kraków and Auschwitz underscores their commitment to these efforts.
