Responsible Internationalisation

International cooperation is a key principle of research and teaching, even a prerequisite for excellent scientific performance and a first-class university education that enables its graduates to act with responsibility in their scientific activities, as well as in all fields of cultural, political and economic life. The University of Göttingen engages in a variety of collaborative endeavours with outstanding partners and research facilities worldwide. However, international cooperation also comes with its own set of risks and challenges, ranging from personal safety and data security to concerns about structural, regulatory, political, and also ethical and cultural conditions in partner countries that are not, or only partially, compatible with conditions in Germany.

The aim of this guideline is to:

• make university members aware where they are personally accountable and liable,

• highlight possible risks and provide guidance for acting safely in an international context,

• outline the different cooperation formats,

• and sensitize the university community for "green travel" and sustainability in internationalisation.

The guideline is based on three basic principles.

In their activities, German universities operate on the foundation of the German Basic Law, the European Convention on Human Rights, EU data protection policy, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the United Nations declaration of human rights.

Researchers and teaching staff involved in international projects must also observe the applicable law of their cooperation partner's country, and they must (if applicable) act in accordance with guidelines of the respective funding bodies.