UniRe - The Responsible University Project to Combat Harassment and Discrimination

15.03.2024

Aimed at continually improving the University of Padua as an institution of higher education and workplace that is free from discrimination including all forms of gender-based harassment and violence, a new project for the entire academic community begins. The university opens an anti-harassment listening and support point and promotes a crowdfunding campaign to finance research grants that tackle issues related to the subject. Given that these issues are rooted in society, the university will promote activities to raise awareness for the entire community, including teachers and secondary school education administrators.

As such, the launch of the UniRe - Responsible University Project, strongly supported and developed by the governance of the University of Padua and approved by the Academic Senate, offers a two-year plan funded with an investment of 250,000 euros by the University of Padua.

Comments from University of Padua Rector Daniela Mapelli, “In recent years, our university has brought attention and gained an intense level of sensitivity towards all types of discrimination and harassment. An attention that goes hand in hand with the commitment and actions implemented to combat all forms of discrimination. The Responsible University Project follows the path we have undertaken through a structured and singular plan developed by listening to the academic community that holds specific skills and a high level of knowledge on the topics covered. Like any large institution, we too are no strangers, albeit rarely, to episodes of violence and stereotypes linked to gender and minorities. Episodes which, thanks to the wide network of protection bodies, are addressed and investigated. There is an awareness of what is happening, just as there is, at the same time, a level of security for everyone that no dark corners will escape the attention of our university. We now want, with this ambitious and complex project, to continue to promote widespread attention to the issues in question. By engaging with as many people as possible we can and must make a difference. For all those who are part of the University of Padua community, we remain vigilant in our actions to combat harassment and discrimination.”