Health & Wellness

In 2019, AAU introduced a Restorative Justice philosophy and process, as well as a Mediation option for individuals involved in disciplinary actions. The Restorative Justice process is outlined in-depth in the “Policy on Relationships, Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment.” 

Accordingly, AAU strives to implement restorative justice principles where and when it is in the best interest of the parties involved. Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes reparation of harm or impact caused by behavior that is not aligned with the AAU community expectations (such as in the AAU Academic Codex and the aforementioned Policy).  Restorative Justice at AAU goes beyond the act of rule-breaking and focuses on identifying and addressing the impact of one’s actions.  This is best accomplished through a collaborative discussion that involves appropriate stakeholders, impacted parties and community members alike.  

The underlying goal of Restorative Justice at AAU is to place the decision-making authority about how to best move forward from an incident or conflict into the hands of those involved and/or impacted. We believe that the benefits of the Restorative Justice are that it:

Empowers participants, allowing individuals to be heard

Places the focus on the impact of actions, rather than on the act of rule-breaking

Supports responsible sharing of information

Encourages collaborative decision-making

Improves satisfaction with the process among participants

Remains confidential

AAU implements restorative justice principles through a specific case resolution format that aims to be educational, restorative, and empowering for all participants: Restorative Justice Conferences. These Conferences are offered as an opportunity to individuals accused of misconduct (Person(s) Who Offended) who actively take responsibility for their actions and are willing to learn about the impact caused by their actions. Restorative Justice Conferences are distinctive from the traditional case resolution processes in that they focus on identifying and directly addressing the impact caused by the conduct violations, and they directly involve the student, staff member or faculty member who offended and the individual affected by the misconduct, as well as the involved/impacted parties, in the decision-making process about appropriate outcomes.

For more information about Restorative Justice at AAU or to discuss starting the Restorative Justice process, please contact AAU’s Mediator and Restorative Justice Facilitator: Carollann Braum at carollann.braum@aauni.edu.

AAU offers Mediation for any interpersonal conflict between members of the AAU community. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential and independent process that allows people to have their dispute heard and to be recognized. Mediation supports people in a ‘dispute’ attempt to find their own resolution to the problem. Mediation promotes early resolution of disputes which can avoid working relationships from deteriorating further, enabling people to get back to their normal day-to-day lives and reduce individual stress and strain. Mediation is future-focused and is concerned with how things will be from now on, rather than finding blame for how things have been in the past.

Mostly, formal complaints make a relationship worse, so it can be better to try an informal approach, a way of resolving the problem and maintaining a functioning relationship. Many issues and misunderstandings can often be quickly and confidentially resolved via mediation, without a need for the process to become ‘formal’. 

It is an informal, confidential process and there is not normally a record kept of the discussions, unless all parties decide that there should be. Personal information that may be disclosed during the process is not shared with anyone else.

Mediator’s Role

The role of the Mediator is to be an independent, unbiased third party that facilitates discussion between the parties in dispute with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution. The Mediator does not judge or offer solutions, but guides the discussion to assist the parties to identify the key issues at dispute, which can often have become blurred.

The Mediator helps troubleshoot problems that are unable to be resolved through other informal means. While the Mediator will help the parties to solve the problem in a way they are happy with, the Mediator will not take over or give a decision. This allows the parties to stay in control. Although the Mediator won’t solve the problem for the parties; he/she will help identify issues and strategies to use.

The Mediator will always seek to negotiate a resolution between the parties in dispute in an impartial manner and won’t direct decision making, but enable both parties toput forward their views and facilitate a mutually agreed solution.

The Mediator is not an investigator, nor is mediation a formal investigation. The Mediator cannot issue any formal decision or disciplinary measure.

The mediator is available to give general advice in terms of how to pursue a complaint and to find out what options are available to you.

Mediation Process

 The process begins with each party meeting with the Mediator who will provide detailed information about how mediation works and what is expected of the individuals involved.

If a meeting between the parties is appropriate and agreed upon, each person is able to state their perspective and to hear the perspective of the other person.

The emphasis is on identifying what went wrong in the past and then working out how things can work better for the future.

The role of the Mediator is to support everyone involved to achieve an outcome that works for them.

The mediation takes the form of a conversation where difficulties and problems are discussed and resolved. The result is likely to be agreement about how to work together or do things in the future or about a solution. You may choose to have it written down and both oral and written agreements are confidential unless you and the other person agree to share them with someone else.

The Mediator does not keep notes or records and nothing will be added to your records without your agreement.

Parties are free to leave the mediation process at any stage should they wish to do so.

No, but please see the section “Fitness in Prague” for a list of local fitness facilities that we partner with. 

Yes, counseling is free for all students, faculty and staff throughout the academic year.

All non-EU citizens applying for a visa (or a residence permit) to study in the Czech Republic are required by law to have adequate health insurance. Holders of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) who stay in the Czech Republic must register the EHIC with the Czech health insurance company. Link

Students living in AAU’s Student Housing (Zeitraum) can contact reception for assistance with calling for medical help. The 122 general emergency number is also available around the clock, connecting students with quick access to assistance.

The general EU emergency number is 112 and guarantees English-speaking operators. This number can be called for free from any phone. 

Other local emergency numbers: 

150 – fire

155 – rescue/ambulance

158 – police