Scientific exchange at the invitation of the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of Danube Private University
15.-18.04.2026
Athenäum, Haus der Wissenschaft, Kunst und Kultur, Unterloiben 51, 3601 Dürnstein
Psychological shocks and trauma
The current crises and wars pose enormous existential and mental challenges for all people. They leave deep wounds in many people – especially those that cannot be seen. Injuries to the soul remain invisible to the outside world and are therefore often left untreated. However, they are all the more tormenting for the people who suffer them. And they often remain and hinder people throughout their lives. They also have an impact on family and society, work and career.
Danube Private University, as a place of learning and teaching, is a young medical and health sciences institution that has quickly gained an excellent international reputation with a constantly evolving and well-received range of degree programmes, including bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes, as well as two medical doctorates. It currently has around 2,500 students from 66 countries and a rapidly growing number of graduates. bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes, as well as two medical doctorates, with currently around 2,500 students from 66 nations and a rapidly growing number of graduates, as well as a faculty of internationally renowned professors and a network of scientific partner institutions engaged in cutting-edge research and development that spans the globe.
This international partner network also includes Ukrainian universities in Poltava and now in Mykolaiv, which already bear a special responsibility for caring for emotionally wounded fellow human beings in the current war situation.
Together with its Ukrainian partners, Danube Private University is now launching a long-term, sustainable initiative to find solutions for better shaping and managing the future of care for people with psychological injuries.
In order to ensure that the results and benefits of health research benefit people, Danube Private University recently established a charitable foundation: the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of Danube Private University. This foundation will take the university's third mission into a new dimension. Art and culture as gateways to mental and social health will play a structurally important role in this.
The honorary president of the foundation, Karl von Habsburg, has also been active as a media entrepreneur in Ukraine for many years. He is familiar with the situation and suffering of people in war, on the front lines and on the home front, fleeing and in exile in Europe. Through this foundation, we will provide targeted help and support to people who need assistance with their mental suffering.
The first step will be a bilateral meeting lasting several days between experts from Ukraine and Austria at Danube Private University in April 2026 to evaluate the situation and clarify needs. In addition to medical, psychological and sociological analyses, the aim is to find forward-looking, methodological and didactic approaches to alleviating and healing psychological wounds.
Specifically, the aim is to develop training and further education programmes for people who provide professional help for mental healing and social reintegration into civilian and professional life to the mentally wounded, veterans and civilians, as well as refugees currently living in various European countries.
This bilateral meeting at Danube Private University in Krems is to take place annually in the future. The Heracles-Hebe Foundation of Danube Private University is thus committed to the long-term health of traumatised people in and from Ukraine in Austria and Europe. We are also actively seeking partners from business and society in Ukraine, Austria and throughout Europe to support this humanitarian initiative of the utmost importance and urgency.
Ao. Prof. (PTH) Mag. Dr. phil. Friedrich Schipper
Secretary General of the Heracles-Hebe Foundation at Danube Private University