This political excursion with the core element of a visit to the German Bundestag and a personal discussion with a member of parliament trains awareness of political instruments for participation. The transfer to university structures and the possibilities of shaping the university through elected bodies such as the Senate and Faculty Councils is developed and the visibility of participation instruments within TU Clausthal is increased.

Participatory structures are elementary for democratic societies and form governments worldwide. The opportunities for participation in decision-making processes go far beyond taking part in free elections. Participation in elected bodies, in addition to federal and state parliaments and regional district and city councils, is also an important element of democracy in universities.

This two-day excursion to Berlin includes a visit to the German Bundestag in Berlin and a personal discussion with Johannes Schraps (SPD), since 2017 Member of the German Parliament. Participation in democratic bodies in Germany will be the main topic. In addition, other excursion points on recent German history will be visited to illustrate how German democracy came about and why it is important to preserve it and what it takes to do so.

The excursion is open to all academic staff and students interested in democracy and aims to promote interest in and willingness to participate at Clausthal University of Technology.

Program:
Tuesday, 05.05.2026
06:44 a.m. Departure with bus 830 to Goslar from the ZOB (arrival 07:30 a.m.)
07:45 a.m. - 10:38 a.m. Goslar - Braunschweig - Berlin (central station) 
12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Visit Porajmos Memorial (Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe murdered under National Socialism) with (English-speaking) guided tour (45 min.)
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Visit to the exhibition "Topography of Terror"

Followed by a tour of the government district and free time in the evening.

Wednesday, 06.05.2026
10:00 a.m. Visit to the parliamentary history exhibition in the German Cathedral with a guided tour (in English)
11:30 a.m. Visit to the German Bundestag with a discussion with a member of parliament
Followed by a visit to The dome

Free time until departure from the main station at 5:20 p.m., arrival in Clausthal around 9:00 p.m.