Anti-Discrimination
Knowing that discrimination cannot be completely prevented in a university context, anti-discrimination is an important and indispensable key element. The aim is to use anti-discrimination measures to create equal and discrimination-sensitive working and living conditions at the university. After all, diversity, and thus also the appreciation of it, is a prerequisite for excellence and innovation in teaching and research.
Sexualized discrimination and violence | Uni Bonn
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What is Discrimination?
In legal terms, discrimination is defined as the unequal treatment of a person on the basis of protected characteristics without objective justification. Discrimination occurs when equals are treated differently, but also when people with differing circumstances are treated equally. This form of injustice can manifest itself in a person’s actions, in regulations, or in policies.
The result of unequal treatment, not the intention or motive behind it, is essential for assessing discrimination. In addition, for a university that wants to prevent discrimination, other characteristics of significant relevance worthy of protection, such as family status, social background, or chronic condition, are also important.
According to the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz - AGG), people who experience discrimination on the basis of the following characteristics must be protected:
- Racial stereotyping
- Ethnic background
- Gender (including trans* and inter* persons)
- Religion or belief (including non-affiliation with a religion or worldview)
- Disability
- Age
- Sexual orientation
Policies Against Discrimination
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The University of Bonn has formulated binding policies for cases of discrimination in the form of an Anti-Discrimination Policy based on the principles of the General Act on Equal Treatment.
Policies for Protection Against Sexualized Discrimination and Violence
In the policy, the University of Bonn defines standards of conduct, procedures, and possible responses in regard to cases of sexual discrimination and violence.
What We Do to Prevent Discrimination
As part of its diversity strategy, the University of Bonn has committed to working continuously on structural issues relating to anti-discrimination up to 2030.
Safeguarding Concept
Promotion of anti-discrimination and victim protection measures
Counseling
Further development and strengthening of counseling structures and practices with regard to anti-discrimination
Empowerment & Awareness
Promotion of a discrimination-sensitive university culture
Career advancement
Improvement of career opportunities through diversity-sensitive structures
What we offer
Awareness
On this page, you can find information on awareness and how you can incorporate it into your considerations, especially when planning events.
Employee networks
The networks are intended to provide an informal place for employees to come together on a voluntary basis to share common interests, goals, or experiences.
Taking action against abuse of power
The University Representative against Abuse of Power advises the Rectorate and the faculties and is available as a contact person for counselors and confidants in cases of abuse of power.
Trusted Lecturers against Antisemitism
The trusted lecturers are available as points of contact for Jewish members, affiliates and guests of the University of Bonn.
Anti-racism student counseling
Individual anti-racism counseling is provided by Eden Abrehet, psychological counselor and trainer for empowerment and anti-discrimination.
Help in cases of discrimination
Discrimination, harassment, and violence are not tolerated at the University of Bonn. Reporting centers for misconduct and counseling centers in cases of discrimination can be found here.
Additional services
Here you can find various services offered by the University of Bonn for students, teachers, and employees on the topic of anti-discrimination.
Offers for students
HateAid is a nonprofit organization that advocates for human rights in the digital sphere and works to combat digital violence and its consequences at both the societal and political levels. It also provides counseling and legal support to people affected by digital violence.
Nightline Cologne is available to students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 9 p.m. to midnight. Whether it’s stress from school, everyday worries, exam anxiety, financial problems, or relationship issues—no issue is too big or too small.
Offers for employees
The Human Resource Development department regularly offers training sessions on various topics related to diversity. You can find an overview of upcoming events on their website.
The University of Bonn is actively committed to supporting vulnerable researchers who can no longer work in their home countries due to persecution or violence. You can find an overview of the most important support services here.
In the summer of 2022, the DFG expanded its “Research-Oriented Gender Equality Standards” to include the aspect of diversity. After all, excellent research requires diversity and originality. We have summarized on our confluence page the most important information on diversity-sensitive research proposals.
Contact
Esther Kilian (she/her)
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Naomi Salbert (she/her)
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
Read also
Diversity Strategy
Here you can find an overview of the University of Bonn’s diversity strategy until 2030.