On 8 and 9 March 2024, the members of the executive committees of two associations met symbolically on both sides of the Olše River: the Polish Academic Network for Security and Equality (Academic Safety and Equality Network) and the Czech School Ombuds Platform (SOP). The first ever meeting took place in Polsky Tesin, where part of the campus is located Silesian University in Katowice (specifically the Faculty of Arts and Education).
ŠOP was represented at the meeting by the chairman Jaroslav Šotola (FF UPOL), secretary Petr Polák (DAMU), committee members Michaela Antonín Malaníková (FF UPOL), Pavla Špondrová (FF UK) and member Petr Šimon (ZČU).
The membership of the Polish Academic Network Executive Committee shared how they work together on specific thematic priorities (e.g. the use of alternative dispute resolution in academia, trans rights as learners, the use of gender-sensitive language) and how they communicate with the membership and the professional community. It was gratifying to find that both societies see interviewing as an integral part of supporting the work of ombudspersons. The discussion also touched on the limited financial resources available to both deepen the quality of the services of individual ombudsmen and the activities of the associations in both countries. The SOP also shared experiences of efforts to securitise campus following the December attack on the Faculty of Arts, which led to a discussion of how both societies could help ombudsmen address challenging situations related to the mental health of students or workers. Both the Polish and Czech networks will look for ways to cooperate in the future: for example through joint projects, publications (articles, research) or study visits.
The two-day discussions were very fruitful and took place in a very friendly atmosphere. They are the beginning of a closer cooperation between the two platforms, which wish to spread the idea of establishing university ombudsmen at universities in all Central European countries and to support the creation of similar networks.
Report of the Academic Network for Security and Equality in Polish of 11.3.2024
Petr Polák, March 12, 2024
