On June 18, 2024, 49 student associations signed a code of conduct aimed at combating misconduct within their organizations. This new code, presented to caretaker Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding respect, integrity, and responsibility. While many associations have already appointed internal confidants and established internal guidelines, the question remains whether these measures are sufficient.
Recently, as an external confidant service, we trained and guided two internal confidants from a student association in handling the complex situations that can arise in such environments. During this process, however, we got the chance to ask some critical questions: To what extent can an internal confidant, who is also a student and a member of the association, truly operate independently? And how reliable is an external confidant who, as an alumnus, still maintains ties with the association?
Our advice to student associations is to always seek the support of independent, external professionals alongside internal confidants. These external professionals can not only serve as support and advisors to the internal confidants. Still, they can also take over reports when the situation becomes too complex, or the necessary integrity is at stake. This approach prevents you from “marking your homework” and ensures the objectivity and reliability that are so crucial in these situations.
We are open to confidential discussions with boards or councils who wish to strengthen their policies or explore the importance of independent guidance.
Source: NU.nl, 18 juni 2024