Antidiscrimination
Respectful, trusting and non-discriminatory cooperation between all members and guests is a matter of course for the University of Bonn (Uni Bonn). As part of Uni Bonn, the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) is committed to creating and maintaining a work, learning and research environment where all members feel safe, respected, heard, and protected from any conscious or unconscious acts of sexual harassment, discrimination or bullying. The BCDSS works towards this by raising awareness on discrimination and prejudicial behaviours, training BCDSS members in diversity and equity knowledge and competencies, and by enforcing the protective measures outlined in its’ Antidiscrimination Policy to process violations.
We define discrimination at the BCDSS as the unequal treatment of individuals, their subjection to acts of conscious or unconscious degradation, bias, violence, bullying, or explicit and implicit exclusion from work, learning opportunities, or decision-making and feedback processes based on an unjust distinction deriving from one or intersections among the following individual characteristics listed in the Charter of Diversity (multiplediscrimination) which include: age, ethnicity/nationality, race, gender, religion, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, social background, or any other relevant social categorisation that forms the basis for these discriminatory acts.
In June 2023 the BCDSS Steering Committee adopted its first comprehensive Antidiscrimination Policy. All BCDSS members are obligated to make themselves aware of the policy’s contents and adhere to its behavioural guidelines.
The BCDSS Antidiscrimination Policy covers acts of bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination based on age, ethnicity/nationality, race, gender, religion, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, social background:
BCDSS Antidiscrimination Policy
Antidiskriminierungsrichtlinien des BCDSS
The Policy also refers to the University of Bonn’s ‘Guidelines for Protection against Sexualized Discrimination and Violence’ (available in German and English) to cover acts relating to sexual violence or harassment and responses to such acts.
Uni Bonn’s Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit lists various contact points at Uni Bonn where staff and students experiencing sexual violence can seek support.
I’m experiencing discrimination at the BCDSS, what can I do about it?
The BCDSS applies a zero-tolerance policy towards acts of sexual harassment or violence, bullying, discrimination, or any kind of inappropriate behavior whether work-related or personal. We encourage all Cluster members to refrain from committing any acts of discrimination and to recognize and challenge any form of discrimination or violence by utilising the complaints and counselling mechanisms that are available internally at the Cluster, or at the University of Bonn.
The following graphic summarises pathways for discrimination-related support at the BCDSS:
Please visit the DEI Team page for the contact information of the DEI Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Representative and Anti-Discrimination Team members. Discussions with any of the Antidiscrimination team members regarding discrimination or harassment are strictly confidential. Kindly refer to section ‘IV. Getting Support & Acting Against Discrimination’ of the BCDSS Antidiscrimination Policy to learn more about complaints procedures that are available to you and how to file formal complaints. It is also possible to file a formal complaint by contacting the Legal Office (Dezernat 1 “Justiziariat”) at Uni Bonn.
If you are unsure of who to contact, how to proceed, kindly reach out to Dima Al Munajed, DEI Coordinator at BCDSS (Email: dmunajed@uni-bonn.de, Office 3.009, 3rd Floor, Niebuhrstraße 5).
In cases of emergency situations or threats to safety, please contact the Uni Bonn Campus Security directly by telephone on +49 228 73-7444.