The AVU Anti-Discrimination Platform was established in 2021 with the aim of cultivating the environment of the Academy in such a way as to prevent inappropriate behaviour and systemic discriminatory practices.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination refers to conduct or the absence of conduct in which one person is, has been or would be treated less favourably than another in a comparable situation because of race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, state of health, religion, faith or worldview, as well as social status or citizenship. Discrimination can also refer to harassment, sexual harassment, stalking, instruction to discriminate and incitement to discriminate.
Discrimination on grounds of sex includes discrimination for reason of pregnancy, maternity or paternity, and gender identification. Discrimination can also refer to conduct in which a person is treated less favourably on the basis of allegation. Paragraph 2 of Act 198/2009 Coll., on Equal Treatment and Legal Protection Against Discrimination, as amended (the Anti-Discrimination Act)
What is the Anti-Discrimination Platform?
The AP has eight members: three students, three academics, and two employees. It is appointed by the Rector for two years on the basis of a proposal from the Academic Senate. The Anti-Discrimination Platform is coordinated by two people elected from its ranks: one student and one employee. It elects a new coordinating pair for each semester.
What to do in the event of discrimination
Anyone who is an employee or student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague may contact the Anti-Discrimination Platform or its members and request a consultation. This can be done in person, by telephone or by email. These consultations are provided on the basis of a confidentiality agreement, without obligations, and anonymously, if so requested. After the initial contact, the platform arranges a meeting which the person making a complaint can attend accompanied by a person they trust.This meeting can only be attended by persons (members of the platform) regarding whom the complainant has given their consent in advance. At the first meeting the details of the case and the way that the platform can support the victim of discrimination will be set forth. Support can take the following forms:
documentation of the case and complaints
a proposed solution, e.g. a meeting with the interested parties in the presence of a member of the platform
recommendation of further action an offer of further internal or external assistance (psychological counselling, contact to a non-profit organisation, legal aid)
if the case involves a breach of the AVU Code of Ethics, the platform may request that the Rector set up an Ethics Commission
if the discrimination is on the part of a student, the platform may submit a complaint to the Disciplinary Commission, which operates at AVU in accordance with Section 13 of Act 111/1998 (the Higher Education Act)
Who can contact the Anti-Discrimination Platform?
Students on the Master’s and Doctoral programme, employees, as well as job applicants and study candidates. You may also contact the platform if you are witness to discriminatory behaviour.
Any activity of the Anti-Discrimination Platform is subject to the consent of the person who contacted it.