Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences

Living Diversity – Kick-off event for the INGENIUM Diversity Week on 12 May 2025 at 17:30

Keynote speeches on diversity and inclusion with a special highlight: Comedian Kai Bosch talks about "Prejudices: Totally retarded!" - Free entry!

12 May 2025, 17:30, foyer building B

 

The INGENIUM Diversity Week will officially kick off on campus at HKA with the event “Living Diversity.” This event will feature guest speakers offering valuable insights into the topics of diversity and inclusion from a range of perspectives. Following these contributions, comedian Kai Bosch will take the stage with his performance "Prejudices: Totally retarded!", in which he shares his very personal and humorous take on inclusion in everyday life.

Kai Bosch - “Prejudices: Totally retarded!”

"Women are worse drivers than men," "Swabians are stingy," "East Frisians are stupid." Prejudices are an intriguing phenomenon.  Although nobody wants to have them, we all love them. But what exactly are prejudices? Where do these stereotypes come from? Why do we so often pigeonhole people? And, above all, how can we break them down? Kai Bosch is looking for answers.
For Kai Bosch, prejudices are a daily reality. Living with tetraplegia since birth and struggling with a stutter, he faces challenges every day. Yet, the greatest obstacle isn’t his physical limitations—it’s the prejudices that others hold. In his talk, Kai shares his personal approach to inclusion. But, above all, it’s about meeting others at eye level, being linguistically sensitive, and reducing insecurities in how we interact and live together. This speech is both a humorous appeal and an encouragement to question our own thought patterns. Kai Bosch calls for respect and courage in confronting our biases, all while pointing out the flaws without wielding a warning club. Just because something is labeled as inclusive doesn't mean it actually is.
Let’s minimize our personal prejudices and maximize the social benefits—for all of us!

Other speakers include:
  • Prof.  Andrea Cnyrim, Professor of Intercultural Communication at HKA: “Inclusive Speaking”
  • Birgit Schlenker, representative for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses at HKA
  • Georg Reinhardt, representative for employees with disabilities at HKA
  • Rebeca Schröder Crespillo, contact person for anti-discrimination at HKA
  • Marie Rüppell-Wee, INGENIUM project director at HKA: “INGENIUM - the Alliance of Diversity”
  • Lili Su, International Student Center of the Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe
  • Selattin Özcelik, HKA staff council

After the program, participants will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers, university representatives, and fellow attendees.

The INGENIUM team would like to thank the ‘Opportunities and Development’ section of the staff council at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences for their cooperation in organising the kick-off event.

Free entry!

Information about additional program highlights from the "INGENIUM Diversity Week" both on campus and online can be found here