Equal Treatment & Nondiscrimination

 

For a Culture of Awareness

With 30,000 students and 10,000 employees, it goes without saying that there problems at RWTH Aachen.  Additionally, it cannot be denied that the pressure in studies, research, and in work has intensified through the consolidation of curricula and workloads, which increases the vulnerability to conflicts. Fairness and equal opportunities are values that are sometimes forgotten, resulting in an increased number of cases of inequal treament, unfair behavior, agression, discrimination, bullying, and sexual violence.

Legal Framework

This must not and shall not be tolerated, especially since there is a legal framework, to which we must hold ourselves. Manuals for managers, those affected, individuals in their environment, who should not watch events helplessly, and people who discriminate and are aggressive, should provide initial guidance. There are also advising and support services for all target groups – both within and outside of the university.

Confidentiality & Discretion

The privacy of affected individuals should always be protected when dealing with such topics. One should also avoid prejudices. It is essential to create a confidential atmosphere at the university, in which fairness, equality, and discretion are the leading values in conflict management. Simultaneously, however, cases should be reported to the Equal Opportunities Office, which guarantees anonymous and confidential management of every individual case, in order to develop and initiate suitable prevention measures based on surveys – within the necessary data protection laws of course.

Self-Understanding & Fairness

There should be a culture of fairness, appreciation, and equal treatment at RWTH Aachen, including during conflict management. However, this is only possible, if every single person  – whether from the student body or staff –  takes responsibility for this and supports a culture of awareness, by taking a closer look and not looking away when conflicts take place or are initiated. Violence, harassment, discrimination, and derogatory behavior have no place at our university or anywhere else!