King Philippe visited the Hannah Arendt Institute in Mechelen on Tuesday afternoon.
The institution, founded nearly five years ago by the late Caroline Pauwels, former rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), is based on the values of late German-American historian/philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975).
The Hannah Arendt Institute focuses on societal challenges such as migration, diversity, socio-economic difficulties and political issues. It collaborates with Flemish universities and local administrations, and is supported by the University of Antwerp. The Institute's aims include bridging the gap between science, education, and society.
Christophe Busch, the director of the Hannah Arendt Institute, explained its logo’s significance to the King. “It features six eyes, five closed and one open, referencing a famous photo of Nazi soldiers, one of whom refuses the salute due to his Jewish wife’s influence," Busch said. "This symbolises the wisdom of maintaining critical thought.”
King Philippe also participated in a role-playing exercise as part of an active witness training. The Institute trains individuals to respond as active witnesses in situations of physical or mental distress, or when witnessing inappropriate behaviour. This is in keeping with the institute's mission of empowering citizens and building resilience.
Between the training session and a working meeting with the Institute’s team, King Philippe expressed his admiration for Hannah Arendt’s philosophy.
