Mission Statement
unicum:mensch makes an effort to bridge the gap between university and humanitarian work, between work at university and social engagement. unicum:mensch wants to contribute to the creation of educated humanity.
unicum:mensch is dedicated to a priority treatment of the poor. According to the opinion of unicum:mensch is the regard of society's weakest members of particular importance. The treatment of the weakest shows a society's ethical standards.
unicum:mensch wants to win over people from all levels of society, who care to make the world a better place. The bridge between university and humanitarian work is based on two pillars unicum:mensch is equally concerned about. The starting point for unicum:mensch has been life at university.
Since its first days has university been a place for research and imparting knowledge. It deals with society's problems and tries to find solutions for the benefits of humankind in its own way. University is co-responsible for society: The people, who work there, are part of society on the one hand, and they themselves influence society on the other hand.
University is a place of freedom: It should be free of any compulsion and so have the freedom of an explicit social orientation. Objectivity in research and curriculum is an ideal as well as a directive because they are part of the academic responsibility. The careful choice of subject and method of research expresses this responsibility. It is a scientist's duty to contribute to the benefit of humankind carrying responsibility for the society they are part of. unicum:mensch is dedicated to strengthen this awareness of responsibility. The NGO works for a priority treatment of the poor in academic and practical ways that are based on intellectual integrity, courage, abundance of ideas and personal engagement. Responsible treatment of the needs and concerns of people who are put at a social disadvantage requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the human situation. University is a place of freedom that has a special responsibility: It has to take the entire world of knowledge into account and grasp society as a whole.
The bridge unicum:mensch wants to build between university and humanitarian work leads both ways. Practical knowledge of the affected people should be combined with academic knowledge. University depends on the call of experience and especially on the "calls of those who can't call" if it wants to carry out its social responsibility. Research and reflection can instruct and inspire social engagement in their way.
unicum:mensch does real work. We want to fight poverty and build a social network. This network of people, who are involved, provides the bridge between university and humanitarian work. It includes real social projects as well as scientific research. We want to create room where justified hope can grow and prosper.
unicum:mensch invites everybody to take part in building this bridge between theory and reality and between reflection and engagement. Creativity and attention help every person to bring out its special talents and ways of sharing the good.
The ideas of unicum:mensch are based on the concept of the universal and inseparable human dignity. The NGO is founded on two major principles: A fundamental optimism towards people and the uniqueness of every human being that develops in relation to society. Each person's autonomy has to be respected including its talents and restrictions. The basics of a generally educated humanity are the following: Mutual respect, the appreciation of diverse ways to live and the acceptance that people always need each other.
unicum:mensch wants to contribute to the development of an educated humanity. Such development requires the courage to start with little things. We need to be prepared to make mistakes and we need the desire to make the world a better place.