Kretschmann calls for military research at universities for security and peace

Kretschmann calls for military research at universities for security and peace

In a current debate on the role of universities in Germany, Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) calls for a stronger participation of the universities in Baden-Württemberg in military research. According to ZVW Excellent Kretschmann this view with representatives from business, research, research and the Bundeswehr in Stuttgart. He emphasizes that military research in Germany is currently being operated primarily at Bundeswehr universities and sees it a potential for broader cooperation.

Kretschmann made it clear that he does not see the existing civil clauses, which set rules for research at many universities, no obstacle to military research. These clauses, such as they exist at the universities in Freiburg and Tübingen, demand that teaching, research and studying should serve peaceful purposes. At the same time, Kretschmann emphasizes that military research serves peace and should not be used for warfare.

The civil clause in focus

Around 70 German universities implement civil clauses or self-commitments that exclude military research and prohibit the acceptance of third-party funds from the armaments industry, such as Deutschlandfunk reported. However, the abolition of these clauses has recently been challenged, among others by CDU boss Friedrich Merz, who wishes to train free access to the Bundeswehr to schools and universities. The state parliament in North Rhine-Westphalia had already abolished the obligation to be a civil clause in 2019, which enables universities to decide independently whether they maintain them or not.

Jan Wörner, President of the German Academy of Technology, is in favor of deleting civil clauses. He argues that military research in the context of Russian attack on Ukraine is necessary to promote innovations that can also be used for defense purposes. He emphasizes that many technologies are used in both civil and military areas and that a clear separation often does not exist.

context of the debate

The discussion about military research at universities is not new, but gains urgency through the current geopolitical context. After a period in which Germany lived in belief in a peaceful world - sealed by reunification - the Russian war of aggression has raised awareness of the need for peace and freedom. Peace and freedom must, according to Research and teaching, also defended with military means.