Topics: Anti-Semitism, discrimination, persecution of ethnic groups, migration processes
Founded in 1982, the Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism at the Technical University of Berlin is the only central institution of its kind in Europe. The interdisciplinary basic research on anti-Semitism is supplemented by research on related areas such as German-Jewish history and the Holocaust. The ZfA is perceived largely as a public institution which, through the services and educational work it provides to the public, goes well beyond the work of a university institute.
Anti-Semitism as a paradigm
Because of its long existence and diverse forms of manifestation, anti-Semitism can be regarded as a paradigm for research on social prejudice and group conflict. The global streams of migration which are currently taking place and the restructuring of societies with large ethnic minorities in Europe mean that many of the same types of structural conflicts and problems which we are familiar with from the history of Jewish/non-Jewish coexistence are being repeated, which is why it is so important that the Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism does not limit its research to a narrower field. It sees itself more as a central institution for general and broad-ranging research into prejudice and discrimination, all forms of violent persecution of ethnic groups, genocide and migration processes, minority conflicts, the history of discriminated minorities and ethnocentric political extremism.
Topical problems
The Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism employs a staff of around 30 people who conduct research on various areas in a quest for answers to topical problems such as xenophobia and racism. The opening of the borders of Europe means that it is also necessary to look further eastwards, where old prejudicial structures are finding new breeding grounds in today's crisis regions.
