If we want to make KU Leuven into a real community, social safety should be self-evident for everyone. The Employee Satisfaction Monitor’s results on verbal aggression, abuse of power and discrimination, show that we must continue to pay attention to what could be improved. We must do this also on the basis of registrations with the Unit of Confidence and with external violence and abuse hotlines, and the annual reports of student and staff disciplinary committees. We continue to raising awareness on how to deal with transgressive behaviour and taking preventive actions such as refining and embedding the Code of Conduct on Social Safety in our organisation. But we also need to further strengthen local leadership (including that of student representatives) and continue to focus on the professional reception of those reporting an incident with the Unit of Confidence, give quick and considerate follow-up, with special attention to appropriate communication.

Together, we make KU Leuven

Thank you very much for the vote of confidence you have placed in me during what has already been an intense campaign. Now we are steaming ahead to the final round of voting! Because if you really want to bring a breath of fresh air to the university, you need to know exactly what is going on, what the needs are and how we can realistically address them. In short, you need to know KU Leuven inside out so that we can move forward together and leave no one behind. That’s why I am keen to continue the dialogue with you, because yes, together, we make KU Leuven.