Concepts and guidelines
The diversity-oriented equal opportunities policies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are based, apart from its constitution and mission statement, on constitutive legal principles.
Legal foundations
The mission to observe principles of equal opportunities and non-discrimination follows, first of all, from article 3 of the German Basic Law:
„No person shall be favoured or disfavoured because of sex, parentage, race, language, homeland and origin, faith or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavoured because of disability.“
More detailed provisions on the elimination of discrimination in the sphere of work are specified in the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) and are monitored by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. In accordance with these provisions, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin instates a representative tasked with accepting complaints according to AGG who forms part of the president's staff. If you have experienced discrimination and wish to make a complaint, the officer is available as your point of contact.
In addition, in the federal state of Berlin, the provisions of the State Equal Opportunities Act as well as the State Antidiscrimination Act interdict discrimination by public authorities. Finally, article 44 of the Berlin Act on Higher Education binds universities to ensure that nobody is discriminated against at the basis of the protected personal characteristics (see above) at the university.
Diversity and equal opportunities at HU
With its constitution, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has given itself the mission of ensuring a sustainable development of all its members free from discrimination. Central elements of this mission include equal opportunities for all genders, protection from sexualised violence, the inclusion of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, the dismantling of structural barriers based on social status or racial stereotyping as well as facilitating the compatibility of work, studies and family life.
The university's mission statement includes a commitment against all forms of discrimination, intolerance and cultural hubris as well. The mission statement upholds the principles of equal opportunities for all, internationality and cosmopolitanism.
Practical guidelines for good coexistence on campus are enshrined into the president's guideline Treating each other with respect. This guideline aims to safeguard trusting, appreciative cooperation and mutual respect of each other at the university.
Further provisions and instruments for realising equal opportunities and dismantling discrimination are made in seperate policies such as the Caroline von Humboldt programme, the university's gender equality strategy, or its human resources development strategy.
Further HU resources
HU Constitution [German]
gremien.hu-berlin.de/de/amb/2013/47/47_2013_Verfassung_HU_%202013_a.pdf
HU mission statement Leitbild der HU [English]
www.hu-berlin.de/en/about/humboldt-universitaet-zu-berlin/mission-statement
Treating each other with respect – guideline and agreement [German]
www.hu-berlin.de/de/einrichtungen-organisation/leitung/vph-vizepraesident-haushalt-personal-technik/konfliktpraevention/dokumente/rl-und-dv-respektvolles-miteinander
Officer for complaints in accordance with AGG (English]
www.hu-berlin.de/en/institutions/leadership/pb