Decision on the future center: lost, but still a lot gained

The jury for the location competition for the Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation has chosen the city of Halle as the location. Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche and University President Prof. Walter Rosenthal have issued an initial statement in reaction to the decision:

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche: "Today the disappointment about the decision clearly prevails, we are sad. Over the past few months, the applicant team, as well as numerous stakeholders from Jena's business, science and urban society, have worked hard to convince the jury of Jena as a location. Together we have performed very strongly. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to the bid, to the team and to the city's committed community. The application has created something lasting in Jena, even without the award. The Future Center would have found the best possible conditions in Jena. Together, we will continue to work on the topic and actively shape transformation processes in the future. Now may the Future Center be well received in Halle and have a beneficial effect on Central Germany as a whole. Congratulations to Saxony-Anhalt."

University President Prof. Walter Rosenthal says: "Even though we are disappointed by the jury's decision, we are nevertheless pleased to have supported Jena's application as a partner. We were able to present the outstanding transformation research and our expertise in Eastern Europe at Friedrich Schiller University to the public and establish new contacts. We were able to show what distinguishes science in Jena: In addition to excellent research, this is close cooperation with politics, business, civil society and culture. We congratulate the city of Halle and look forward to working together."