Social safety and security can be defined as the ideal state of an environment in which the behaviour and actions of all present are naturally guided by the principles of collegiality, integrity, equality, respect, openness and consideration for others, and where any form of unwanted behaviour, intimidation, aggression, bullying or discrimination is considered unacceptable, regardless of whether they are students or staff.

Social safety and security in the public university environment has been jointly addressed by Czech universities in the framework of Centralized Development Projects since 2022, building on existing cooperation on the development of the topic of academic ethics and integrity and plagiarism prevention. In 2023, the focus was on the topic of preventing unethical behaviour on campus and promoting competence in victim care.

Centralized Development Projects has created a website that addresses academic integrity issues, opens new topics, gives an overview of workshops, collects useful links and guides, and has its own blog. You can find it all at

akademickatika.cz - Academic Ethics

Students have representatives on the academic senates of individual faculties as well as on the university-wide academic senate. Students play a significant role and wield considerable influence in the academic senates, especially when they speak with one voice, since all senators’ votes carry equal weight in the academic senates. As elected representatives, student senators should represent the interests of both the university and the students, and their activities can thus be directed toward improving various areas, such as reducing administrative burdens, improving study conditions, enhancing the quality of teaching, and supporting student activities. In general, their voice ensures that students’ ideas and demands are reflected in university self-governance. 

University students across the Czech Republic are represented at the national level by the Student Chamber of the Council of Higher Education Institutions . It advocates for their interests at the national and international levels. It strives to foster cooperation between students and faculty, promote dialogue with the Czech government and public administration bodies, and advance academic self-governance. Each university may send two students - a delegate and an alternate. The Student Chamber of the Council of Higher Education Institutions is part of the Council of Higher Education Institutions, which, together with the Czech Rectors’ Conference, officially represents universities in our country. The specific goals and values are, among other things, the promotion of solidarity and equal access to a dignified education without barriers based on age, gender, disability, or social status. Specific information on activities in the areas of social support and student mental health, as well as many others, is available on the website.

Just imagine. You get an offer that you feel like turning down for various reasons. But at the same time, you feel a strong fear of what such a rejection might bring. This is because you are aware that the offeror seemingly has the trump cards in his pocket: higher status, reputation, and is not used to being rejected. The recorded situation from the "Quid pro quo" video demonstrates power and influence on the one hand, and fear of the consequences of rejection on the other. In real life, any of us can find ourselves in a similar situation at any time, although the circumstances may be different each time.

How to behave and what to look out for?

At work or on the street, you may find yourself in a situation that doesn't feel right. The presence of a passive witness, also known as a bystander, is crucial. Why should we intervene in a tense situation? Why shouldn't someone else do it? Unfortunately, if we don't respond, it's likely that no one else will... And we are the ones who can intervene in a situation and help someone.

How to behave and what to look out for?

Trust. One of the most important aspects of interpersonal relationships. But what if it's fragile and only one-sided? Watch the third part of the video series of the "You don't have to - you can" initiative, which shows examples of inappropriate behaviour and advises how best to behave in a given situation.

Strong interpersonal relationships are based on mutual trust and good faith. However, there may be situations in life where a trusting person can get into trouble. For example, by sharing sensitive information such as intimate photographs with an inappropriate person, who in such a situation gains too much power over the trusting person...

A short, concise and in many cases sufficient answer to a number of questions or troublesome suggestions. "NO" is a complete sentence and the final installment in a series of educational videos on social safety.

"NO!"

One of the first words a young child uses to express disapproval and perhaps displeasure with the suggestions around him. As we mature, the boundaries of the word NO become mysteriously clouded with ambiguity for some. Yet the meaning of the word NO remains: it is an expression of disapproval, displeasure, a setting of boundaries, and a clear definition of one's own safe space. Any further actions beyond the word "NO" often trigger uncomfortable situations, unpleasant memories, and unfortunately create victims of these situations who carry the consequences for a lifetime.

Another theme permeating the activities of universities across education, research and the third role is the promotion of gender equality, that is designed in the USB Gender Equality Plan.