As co-founder of the Social Democratic Party in the GDR, parliamentary group leader of the last Volkskammer and committed intellectual, Prof. em. Dr Dr h.c. Richard Schr?der has had a significant influence on political and academic discourse since the fall of communism. He has also provided decisive impetus for a democratic and self-critical academic culture at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU), including as professor, dean, vice president and chairman of the HU Academic Council.
Professor Richard Schr?der will be honoured with the Humboldt University Medal on 7 July 2025 for his outstanding commitment at HU and in the fields of science, politics and social responsibility. The award ceremony will take place from 17:00 to 19:30 in the Festsaal of the HU, Luisenstra?e 56, 10117 Berlin. This will be immediately followed by a panel discussion with Professor Richard Schr?der, HU Professor of Chemistry Stefan Hecht and history student Peter Bratenstein on the topic of "Humboldt-Universit?t and the Peaceful Revolution". The panel discussion will shed light on key questions regarding the role of the university, science and civil courage. It will be moderated by HU President Prof Dr Julia von Blumenthal.
The event is open to the public. Registration is requested. Interested media representatives please send an e-mail to: pr@hu-berlin.de
About Richard Schr?der
Prof. em. Dr Dr h.c. Richard Schr?der is a German philosopher and Protestant theologian who was a member of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Theology at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin from 1991 until his retirement. In March 1990, he was elected to the Volkskammer (People's Chamber) and was the parliamentary group leader of the Social Democratic Party in the GDR until the constitution of the first all-German Bundestag.