January 2016

15 years ago in September 2001 Jacobs University (then called IUB) celebrated its Opening. The keynote address was given by Helmut Schmidt – highlighting why we need “institutions of higher learning that are modem, performance-oriented,[…] interdisciplinary, and, at the same time, international”.​Sadly we lost Helmut Schmidt in 2015 – his vision, courage and his words of advice will be missed, especially facing the global political and cultural challenges of the 21st century. In the year 2015 we encountered terrorism as well as economic and humanitarian crisis that will take beyond 2016 to solve. We have faced a similar crisis before – 15 years ago – the opening ceremony of Jacobs University was just days after 9/11. And thus Helmut Schmidt’s words are worth repeating, because they are as relevant today as they were 15 years ago, and to remind us of what we set out to create: “Nobody has only rights; everyone has duties as well. And any elite also has to be an elite of responsibility. “    – Cornelia Scheitz Helmut Schmidt, Former Chancellor of GermanyKeynote Address IUB Opening Ceremony​When Professor Lust, Chairman of the Board of this university, invited me months ago for today’s occasion, I had three good reasons to accept his invitation. First, there was my friendship with Reimar Lust. Second, from the time of my youth, I have felt a special sympathy for the partner city of Bremen – m particular for this very town Grohn-Vegesack, where I spent two years in basic training: face-left, face-right, running, pushups. All pretty senseless, but I still cherish the memory of the Strandlust, the Havenhaus, and the brewer’s agent Take. Incidentally, does the “Grauer Esel” still exist? ​ Third, I’ve been convinced for more than a decade that Germany urgently needs universities such as the one being inaugurated in Bremen today: that is, institutions of higher learning that are modem, performance-oriented, independent of the reins of state bureaucracies, interdisciplinary, and, at the same time, international.I would like to make a few remarks why this necessity exists. First, however, a word about the monstrous crimes against humanity in New York and Washington, which we just witnessed with horror and helplessness from afar.Those of us who remember the assistance received from the American Marshall Plan at the end of World War II and the destruction of Germany; those who recall the numerous instances of foreign aid in the battle against German terrorism; those who know of the United States’ decisive support in the reunification of Germany; but also each of us who takes the belief in human rights and charity seriously: today we all feel an undivided solidarity with the American nation.The extent and the complexity of the simultaneous acts of terrorism against the lives of tens of thousands of Americans, and against the nerve and command centers of the state cannot have been accomplished without extensive organization, without a great number of suicide terrorists, without a great number of assistants and sympathizers, and without a lot of money. Therefore, it will probably not take long to uncover the masterminds of this mammoth crime. Until then, it is necessary for the American as well as all other governments to refrain from any false accusations. Rage, resentment, but also fear might lead to hysterical reactions in many places around the world. Thus, it is, first and foremost, imperative for all governments and politicians to show common sense and balanced reason!Second, all governments should brace themselves against future acts of terrorism and should provide for the safety of their citizens. Third, and concurrently, an extensive search for clues and an investigation of the crime are imperative. In order to achieve this, the governments of all allies and friends of the United States have to pledge their all-encompassing assistance to the American government. It is possible that we are dealing with a private group of terrorists – it could be several groups.It is also possible that a state or a government was an indirect accomplice, as we already experienced in the case of the terror of the RAF it cannot be completely precluded that it might be a group of terrorists created and sanctioned by a state. In each of these possible scenarios, the necessary reactions of the United States and of other threatened countries will be different our country, too, is one of the states threatened by terrorism. In any case, lawful governments will have to honor their own constitutions and the Charter of the United Nations. Therefore, the united decision of the UN Security Council is a reasonable step.If it turns out that the terrorists acted with the support of a state or a government, this might lead to war. Therefore, in particular, rational prudence is required. In any event, the United States will defend itself with great force and vitality and we Germans will stand by its side. It could be – although it is not at all clear yet – that the attacks on the command and nerve centers of the United States are due to a religiously motivated terrorist organization. However, whatever organization is behind this must be brought to justice decisively, even s time to find the truth. We will need patience – keen and intent patience.But let us not turn to religious hatred! For long, since the Middle Ages in fact, our priests and pastors and bishops, our rabbis and mullahs, almost all religious and spiritual leaders have neglected to take a stand against religious hostility. Religious fanatics exist in many religions. There are Christian terrorists – see Northern Ireland. There are Islamic and Jewish terrorists – see the Near East. We cannot exclude the possibility that the attacks against America are due to Islamic terrorists. Should this be the case, it would certainly not be a reason for us to hate all Muslims.There are more than a billion Muslims, more than a billion Christians, and many million Jews. All three religions prohibit murder. Defense and self-defense against murderers, however, are permissible. It is a