What “family” means to us

As a flagship university with University of Excellence status following the guiding principle of “innovating and cooperating for a sustainable future,” the university of Hamburg sees itself as a family-friendly higher education institution in which reconciling work or studies with family life is an integral part of university culture. All staff and students have families or are part of a family. The family should be considered an asset, but what does family mean to us, and what is our approach? It is helpful here to look at the provisions of the Verein Familie in der Hochschule (family in the university best practice association) the University has been part of since 2017. The Verein Familie in der Hochschule e. V. seeks to anchor the reconciliation of studies, work, and research with family duties in the German-language university environment, and its further development across the broader university alliance. Families are diverse, and regardless of their constellation, deserve our support and appreciation. We accept and follow the definitions of family agreed upon in 2023:

“Family is diverse. Families are living units made up of people living and experiencing social responsibility, duties of care, and solidarity.

This is why we would like to highlight and honor the diversity of all potential family constellations. Whether it is two parent, single parent, rainbow, patchwork, adopted, foster, international, or combination of these or other characteristics: families are colorful and diverse and should be seen, recognized, and supported.” (Translation of resolution dated 7 November 2023)