Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former actor and US governor, has been honored with an honorary doctorate by the private Hertie School in Berlin. The award recognizes his commitment to climate protection and his contributions to environmental and political discourse.
Hertie School honors Schwarzenegger
On Tuesday, the Hertie School awarded Schwarzenegger the honorary doctorate during a ceremony in Berlin. Cornelia Woll, President of the Hertie School, highlighted Schwarzenegger’s significant impact on global discussions about climate change. She praised his efforts in environmental protection and innovative politics, noting his ability to bring together various stakeholders to find practical solutions for global challenges.
The laudation for the 77-year-old Schwarzenegger was delivered by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck. Habeck praised Schwarzenegger for successfully combining economic growth with environmental protection during his tenure as Governor of California. The Minister made a reference to Schwarzenegger’s role as “Conan the Destroyer” from the 1984 film, contrasting it with Schwarzenegger’s real-life embodiment of integrity and compromise.
In his acceptance speech, Schwarzenegger expressed his gratitude and likened caring for the Earth to training a body. “The better you take care of the planet, the better shape it will be in,” he said.
Recognition from Auschwitz Committee
During the honorary doctorate ceremony, Schwarzenegger received praise from survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Christoph Heubner, Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, lauded Schwarzenegger as a “significant ally” for his repeated visits to the memorial and his engagement with Holocaust survivors. Heubner noted that Schwarzenegger’s global advocacy against hatred and antisemitism had profoundly touched those affected by the Holocaust.
