Herman Van Goethem, rector of the University of Antwerp, is the new president of the Hannah Arendt Institute. VUB rector Jan Danckaert will be vice-chairman.
Herman Van Goethem is a historian, lawyer and professor. In 2012, he was the curator of Kazerne Dossin, the Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre on Holocaust and Human Rights. Until 2016, he combined his professorship at the University of Antwerp with the position of Curator and General Director of Kazerne Dossin. Since 2016, he has been rector of the University of Antwerp.
Caroline Pauwels
Herman Van Goethem co-founded the Hannah Arendt Institute with Caroline Pauwels three years ago. Their shared belief in the power of science led them to establish an institute that would bridge the gap between science and practice. With Hannah Arendt as their inspiring guide.
"Now, more than ever, science and practice need each other. After all, the societal challenges are great and the solutions are not obvious. In times of disinformation and rapidly increasing polarisation, it is important to engage in factuality and dialogue. This is not only the core of a solid democracy, it is also an essential goal of our operation: involving everyone in the debate about people and society. We want to inspire professionals, policymakers and citizens to work with scientific insights on citizenship, urbanity and diversity. Or, in the words of Hannah Arendt, using science to 'establish relationships and create new realities'. After all, together, in plurality and connectedness, we have the greatest impact."
Herman Van Goethem