Awareness
Awareness Networking Group at the University of Bremen
Welcome to the website of the Awareness Networking Group at the University of Bremen!
We are a volunteer group of students consisting of members of the AStA, the StuKo, interested individuals, and the BaS.
Our goal is to advocate for students' needs in terms of Awareness (and everything that goes with it), to communicate and to create visibility. The group is in a constant process of development and, as we all work on a voluntary basis, our capacities are limited and we cannot provide emergency support. We would still be happy to hear from you so that we can look for an appointment and/or possible ways to support you.
This page provides an overview of our Awareness work. Further information can be found here (German version only).
The Awareness concept for O-Week 2025 can be found here.
Awareness is a multifaceted concept that has different meanings and emphases depending on the context.
We understand Awareness as a form of conscious and mindful interaction with one another. This refers both to the individual level (for example, when people need support) and, especially in a university context, to structural levels. At this level, we deal with issues such as mediation between different university levels and ongoing conceptual work, trying to create visibility and place the topic in a concrete context.
It is about treating each other and ourselves with care, without ignoring our own boundaries and needs, and taking responsibility. This means, for example, clearly pointing out when boundaries are crossed and acknowledging and reflecting on our own misconduct. Awareness is an active form of perception and action and is intended to provide mental, emotional, and psychological support for affected individuals at events, but also in everyday university life in general.
The Awareness Networking Group is working to establish Awareness as an integral part of protection and security concepts at the University of Bremen, thereby supplementing physical security measures with psychological and social aspects. As a group of students, we try to collect your experiences and feedback anonymously within the scope of our possibilities and, based on this, pass on recommendations for action.
In this context, Awareness work means the following to us:
- Anonymous – we do not disclose anything that is entrusted to us
- Low threshold – we try to offer support for the moment and to be as accessible as possible. You can contact us at any time if you have questions or need support! Our peer-to-peer counseling is not a substitute for therapy, but rather an offer of help in a specific situation or incident.
- Power of definition and affected-centered approach – you decide for yourself what support you need.
- Partiality – the perception and perspective of the person affected is believed.
- Discrimination sensitivity:
We cannot or do not have to understand every experience, but we will acknowledge it, take it seriously, and treat it with empathy. Awareness work takes into account that people speak and act from different social positions and power imbalances. In a place like the University of Bremen, where many different people come together, it is important to take this into account.
Important: However, Awareness work is not professional help and is not a substitute for it, especially since this group is supported by students.
The short answer: anything that you, as the person affected, consider to be an Awareness case.
We are also available to talk to people who are unsure whether something specific has happened to them.
This includes in particular:
- (Sexualized) violence
- Dimensions of discrimination; these can happen in any space. Therefore, it helps us if you report incidents to us so that we can raise awareness of them.
- Things that make you feel insecure, overwhelmed, uncomfortable or anxious
- Situations involving alcohol or other drugs (we are not an addiction counseling service!)
- Since alcohol consumption is a big issue, especially during orientation week, we would like to emphasize once again: consumption is voluntary, consent is key, and every decision for or against alcohol must be respected. No one should be pressured to consume alcohol or influenced by peer pressure. The goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can feel comfortable.
Contact
Support - Questions - Suggestions
Would you like support with any university-related issues?
Do you have questions about Awareness work at the university?
Would you like to get ideas for an Awareness concept for organizing an event?
Do you have suggestions or criticism regarding processes within the university?
Would you like to join the team, attend a plenary meeting, or something similar?
Feel free to contact us at any time:
- via the BaS feedback tool here.
- bas11uni-bremen.de
- inklusionprotect me ?!asta.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
- Insta: BaS and/or AStA