The Viennese Association of Academics (German: Wiener Akademikerbund) is an Austrian right-wing conservative think tank founded in 1954, which states to defend neoliberalism and Christian values.[1] It has been described as one of the major proponents of anti-Muslim sentiment in Austria and the counter-jihad movement.[1]
History and activities
editThe organistation was founded in 1954 by Austrian Minister of Finance Reinhard Kamitz. It was formerly associated with the Austrian People’s Party, until it was banned from the party in 2011 after it questioned the 1947 Prohibition Act.[1][2][3]
The organisation states to champion freedom of speech and fight against political correctness. It also regularly participates in the annual "March for the Family" demonstration against LGBT rights and queer feminist demands.[1]
The organisation presented a "Vienna Integration Manifesto" in 2011 together with some liberal Muslims, in which it among other proposals demanded for Muslim immigrants in Austria to profess themselves as cultural Christians.[4]
In 2013, the organisation was behind the establishment of the Identitäre Bewegung Österreich.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Factsheet: Wiener Akademikerbund (WAB, Viennese Association of Academics)". Bridge Initiative. Georgetown University. 2 June 2020.
- ^ Schmidt, Katharina (6 May 2011). "Wiener Akademikerbund abgespalten". Wiener Zeitung (in German).
- ^ Fritzl, Martin (9 May 2011). "Verbotsgesetz-Eklat: Akademikerbund spaltet sich". Die Presse (in German).
- ^ Alkan, Güler (7 March 2011). ""Sie müssen sich Kulturchristen nennen!"". Der Standard (in German).