Diversity at H-BRS
Fair cinema at the H-BRS: "Bigger Than Us" moves audiences as part of Filmfair 2025
On 13 November 2025, around 40 students, employees and guests came together in the library on the Campus Sankt Augustin to discuss global responsibility, climate justice and civic engagement as part of the Bonn Filmfair 2025.
The evening was organised by the university initiative "Respekt! Time for Diversity, Time for Sustainability" together with the Office for Environmental and Nature Conservation of the City of Sankt Augustin.
From Bali to Beirut: Young voices for change
The film "Bigger Than Us" by French director Flore Vasseur portrays young people around the world who are working tirelessly for a better future - from environmental activist Melati in Bali and Mohamad in Lebanon, who founded a school for refugees, to climate and social activist Winnie from Uganda. Their stories are about courage, solidarity and the perseverance to make a difference.
After the screening, participants got talking with each other: A lively discussion developed about the selection of the film. Some participants noted that the topics presented were not new and asked about the added value of revisiting them. However, the majority of the audience saw the relevance of the film precisely in this: it paid tribute to the commitment of the young protagonists and reminded them that change often begins in the immediate environment.
Many participants emphasised the importance of recognising their own privilege, especially the time, security and freedom of action that many people have here in Germany. Young participants emphasised that they value these opportunities and want to use them to actively make a difference. Together with the audience, parallels were drawn between global engagement and local action.
The audience engaged lively about how engagement for and with young people and citizens in Sankt Augustin can be further developed, particularly in the area of sustainability. Together, they developed a picture of what motivates the participants, what issues move them and what steps they can take together locally.
The discussion was moderated by Kristin Pöllmann from H-BRS's diversity management team and Sarah Zarin from the City of Sankt Augustin's environmental office.
„I have much more time here to stand up for what I believe in.”
Selected impressions of the film evening
The Bonn Filmfair: Living together - working together
The Bonn Filmfair is celebrating its twelfth edition this year. Between 12 and 27 November 2025, a total of twelve international documentaries and feature films will be screened at various locations in Bonn, Bad Godesberg, Alfter, Sankt Augustin and Königswinter. All of them deal with the main theme "Living Together - Working Together" and tell inspiring stories of community, cohesion and boundless solidarity.
As a partner of the Bonn Filmfair, H-BRS is also contributing to this special format of dialogue and exchange together with the City of Sankt Augustin, thus setting an example for responsibility, sustainability and global thinking.
Special thanks go to the Library of the H-BRS, which made its rooms available as part of its Year of Sustainability and thus provided a cosy and inspiring atmosphere.
Fair drinks and snacks, which were offered free of charge, also contributed to the successful cinema evening and provided a great opportunity to celebrate the university's recertification as a Fairtrade University
Living together on campus
The screening of "Bigger Than Us" showed once again how important it is to listen to young people and give them space. H-BRS sees itself as a place where such impulses are taken up and further developed - in the lecture hall, in the laboratory or in the mensa
Contact Us
Sarah Friedrichs
Head of Diversity Management, Senior Expert on International Affairs and Digital Transformation to the Vice President, Commissioner Antidiscrimination and Anti-Racism
Location
Sankt Augustin
Room
E 236
Address
Grantham-Allee 20
53757, Sankt Augustin
Telephone
+49 2241 865 137
Location
Sankt Augustin
Room
E 236
Address
Grantham-Allee 20
53757 Sankt Augustin
Contact hours
Monday - Thursday
Telephone
+49 2241 865 9830Contact points
Library Sankt Augustin Campus
Campus
Sankt Augustin
Room
A105
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8 am - 10 pm (from 6 pm: security staff)
Saturday: 10 am - 7 pm (from 3 pm: security staff)
Diversity Management
Campus
Sankt Augustin
Room
E236
Opening hours
By appointment