On Saturday 22 April 2017, people in over 600 cities around the world took to the streets to demonstrate in support of scientific knowledge as the foundation of social progress. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences also took a stand in support of science.
At a time when perceived truths are increasingly replacing scientific facts, it is particularly important for people to draw on the findings of science. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is also keeping abreast of current developments and organised a trip from the Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort campuses to Bonn to enable students to take part in the ‘March for Science’ and make their presence felt. Across Germany, around 37,000 participants gathered to demonstrate in support of academic freedom and the importance of verifiable facts.
Speakers in Bonn included, alongside various figures from politics and academia, the Vice-Chancellor of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Prof. Dr Michael Hoch; the Minister for Innovation, Science and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Svenja Schulze, and Prof. Dr Margret Wintermantel, President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The speakers emphasised the importance of freedom for scientific research. They expressed the hope that the globally organised ‘March for Science’ is just the beginning of a major international movement.
