Mission Statement
In a broad cross-section of staff from all four stakeholders involved in the Humboldt Forum, the following four guiding principles were developed out of the discussion. These principles will help guide everything we do together at the Humboldt Forum.
Preamble
The Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Stadtmuseum Berlin together make up the Humboldt Forum. The diverse profiles and areas of activity, skills and experiences open up new perspectives in the fusion of culture and society, science and history on one site.
The following guiding principles are the condensed summary of a development process in which a representative cross-section of staff from different areas of these four institutions was actively involved. With this mission statement, we would like to formulate general guidelines for action for our collaboration within the Humboldt Forum, which are intended to help us to orient ourselves in our daily activities and decision-making.
1
Together and independent
We work together within transparent structures. We value and respect the specific independent characters of the participating institutions and their staff and use the unique potential of the Humboldt Forum to create something new by combining our different areas of expertise. Together, we develop the strength to go beyond our individual perspectives.
2
Diversity of positions and perspectives
We are many. We stand against discrimination and stand for equal treatment for everyone in a diverse society. This is the basis on which we talk to each other and act together. In the diversity of perspectives, we see ourselves obliged to identify our respective authorships and commit ourselves to a critical approach in solidarity with each other.
3
Participation as a principle
As part of the ethos of the Forum, we create structures that will allow the Humboldt Forum to be a site of participation – for visitors, staff and collaboration partners. We want to strengthen social cohesion and reach as many people and communities as possible: everyone is invited to work, design and talk with us as partners.
4
Space for controversy
We are a space for critical debate on current social issues. Irritation with and uncertainty about traditional convictions have their place here because they are important stimuli for questioning structural inequalities, including in regard to the creation of knowledge. We don’t sit on the fence and we don’t avoid tension. Opposition is welcome.
5
A willingness to try
We create experimental spaces for new approaches, ideas and formats. We stand for an inspirational willingness to try, in which the courage to take a risk is inherent and is not held back by the possibility of failure.
Berlin, October 2020
Team of authors
Friedrich von Bose for the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Laura Goldenbaum for the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss
Zoë Hermann for the Staatlichen Musen zu Berlin – Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Katharina Plate for the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin
