In an increasingly global context, universities are tasked not only with transmitting knowledge but also with ensuring inclusive spaces that respect diversity. This is where the Diversity and Inclusion Policy (D&I Policy) comes into play: a strategic document that sets out principles, objectives, and concrete actions to promote equal opportunities and to value the plurality of backgrounds, cultures, and identities.
NEOcharter: A Shared Document
Within NEOLAiA, this work has taken shape in the D&I NEOcharter, the Alliance’s Charter of Diversity and Inclusion. The document was officially signed by the rectors of the partner universities on May 14, 2025, in Ostrava, with validity until December 2027.
The NEOcharter represents a common umbrella that brings together shared values and commitments: respect and dignity, equal opportunities, gender equality, well-being, European and global citizenship. It does not aim to standardize the individual universities’ policies but rather to create a common framework capable of inspiring and guiding concrete actions in four key areas:
- Research
- Teaching and education
- Leadership and management
- Campus culture and society
The document also contains an appendix with examples of best practices already implemented by the partner universities, including those contributed by UNISA.
Current Status and Next Steps
The NEOcharter has already been published on the NEOLAiA website and now serves as an official reference point for all the Alliance’s activities. The next step will be the translation of the document into the national languages of the partners, ensuring maximum dissemination and recognition. This process will be coordinated by the leaders of WP3 at Bielefeld University.
With this initiative, NEOLAiA reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and future-oriented European university, where diversity becomes a resource and inclusion a founding principle.
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