Former Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Science Erhard Busek dead
Erhard Busek is dead. He has just taken a competent stance on the war in Ukraine. His sudden death brings back memories of his great role as a mediator between East and West, even before the fall of the Berlin Wall, of the promotion of the idea of a Central Europe, his role as Minister of Science and Vice-Chancellor, of the support of reconstruction after the wars in the Balkans as Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact, whereby education, for which the EU has hardly any competences, was particularly close to his heart. He was also a great supporter of WUS Austria's work in the Balkans, which he greatly appreciated. To the commemorative publication on the 25th Anniversary of WUS Austria, he contributed the article "WUS – A Success for South-Eastern Europe" and at the Centennial Celebration of the World University Service worldwide, which took place at the University of Vienna in September 2021, he spoke about the challenges for the human right to quality education.
Under his presidency, the European Forum Alpbach was opened to countless students from all over Europe and in his role as Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, he worked tirelessly until the end. His countless pointed lectures opened our eyes to a holistic view of Europe. The merging of East and West and the role of education in it was his great concern. We will miss him very much. Rest in peace!
