Zertifikatsprogramm Machtmissbrauch Erkennen und Verhindern (MEV)
Programme in cooperation with the Faculty of Human Sciences, the Faculty of Catholic Theology and the Faculty of Medicine
In a society in which structural inequalities and power imbalances are repeatedly abused, it is crucial to take preventative action. Our certificate programme ‘Detecting and preventing abuse of power’ (in German: Machtmissbrauch Erkennen und Verhindern – MEV) offers you the opportunity to take a well-founded look at the background and consequences of abuse of power. We provide you with the knowledge you need to recognise power structures and ensure that organisations deal with this issue responsibly.
The certificate programme is open to all JMU students. People with a university degree and relevant professional experience (e.g. teachers from all types of schools) can complete the programme alongside their profession, as can people with or without a university entrance qualification with suitable professional experience (e.g. in a caring, therapeutic or educational profession).
With this new certificate programme, the University of Würzburg and the University Hospital of Würzburg want to actively combat the abuse of power. We are striving for a cultural change that promotes respect, integrity and transparency. With MEV, we are raising awareness of ethical behaviour and encouraging people to take responsibility. Our aim is to create an awareness that not only strengthens our institutions, but also contributes to a responsible society.
Together, we are promoting a culture of looking and acting, because more people are needed who are trained to decisively and competently confront the abuse of power and deal competently with the consequences.
Numerous cases of sexualised, psychological and physical violence and other forms of abuse of power that have been uncovered in institutions such as the Catholic and Protestant churches, care homes and sports clubs show how important it is to raise awareness at an early stage. A third of the population in Germany experienced violence in childhood, although the majority of these offences remain hidden. Adults are also not protected from abuse of power, which has a significant impact on their health and social participation.
1. Knowledge – You will acquire the knowledge to recognise and define dangerous situations and abuse of power in various situations. You will be shown ways of preventing abuse of power and mitigating the consequences.
2. Action – You will learn how to avert these dangers, to develop prevention and protection concepts and to contribute to clarification and mediation processes.
3. Personal skills – You will strengthen your critical thinking and communication skills in order to act confidently in complex situations.
The certificate programme teaches you important skills to recognise abusive behaviour as well as psychological, physical and sexual violence and to react appropriately. It provides you with the necessary knowledge and tools to exert a positive influence in your professional field and beyond.
You will learn to analyse and develop prevention and protection concepts and adapt them to different practical settings. The skills you acquire will make you a multiplier!
‘We are in favour of the fact that the offer is widely available. Furthermore, the broad thematic range of content is well chosen.’ (Student Council of the Faculty of Human Sciences)
‘We expressly support the implementation of the additional degree programme.’ (Student Council of the Faculty of Catholic Theology)
‘The student council of the Faculty of Medicine supports the implementation of the degree programme. It's really great to see how seriously our concerns are taken and what has developed from them..’
The new certificate programme was launched by Prof. Dr. Matthias Reményi (Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology), Prof. Dr. Andrea Kübler (Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences) und Prof. Dr. Marcel Romanos (Director of the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Würzburg). "Our motivation and goals are the 4 Ms:
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misuse (abuse) of power: recognise it and name it
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measures: propose it and implement it
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monitoring: supervise it and evaluate it
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multiplication: raise awareness and spread it
In that way, we want to contribute to a cultural change so that fear-free, power-sensitive and transparent cooperation becomes more and more the norm."
Prof. Dr. Jörg Fegert and Dr. Ulrike Hoffmann from the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy Ulm were also significantly involved in the design of MEV and the creation of teaching and learning materials.
Our cooperation partners are the Competence Center Child Abuse and Neglect Baden-Württemberg and the German Center of Prevention Research in Mental Health of the University of Würzburg.
The certificate programme teaches you thorough knowledge of recognizing and preventing the abuse of power in various contexts. With this qualification, you will be able to identify critical situations at an early stage and develop responsible prevention concepts to promote a safe and respectful environment in institutions such as schools, universities, social facilities or sports clubs.
For questions on content: Prof. Dr. Matthias Reményi
Lehrstuhl für Fundamentaltheologie und vergleichende Religionswissenschaft, Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät der Universität Würzburg
For technical and administrative issues: Elfrieda Stark (Office)
Telefon: +49 931 31-82525
E-Mail: jmu-mev@uni-wuerzburg.de
Feel free to contact us!
