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Lifelong learning access policy

Università IULM has a formal policy that ensures that access to these activities is accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, nationality, age, gender or socio-economic background.

This commitment is embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly promotes “equity, inclusion, and universal participation in all dimensions of university life and public engagement.”
It is codified in three key institutional documents:

  • the IULM Code of Ethics, which prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment and guarantees equal treatment for all members of the community;
  • the IULM Gender Equality Plan, which operationalises equality principles in recruitment, governance, and learning environments;
  • and the Statute, which affirms citizens’ right to participate freely in the educational and cultural life of the University.

Principles of Ethics and Non-Discrimination Policy

Article 3 of the IULM Code of Ethics explicitly prohibits any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, age, nationality, political or sexual orientation, or immigration status.
It also condemns all forms of harassment — physical, verbal, or psychological — and affirms the right of every person to study and work in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

The University implements this principle through:

  • Inclusive admissions and participation policies, guaranteeing that all events, courses, and outreach initiatives are “open to all” without restrictions.
  • Accessibility protocols for people with disabilities or special educational needs, ensuring that physical and digital spaces, including classrooms, libraries, and online platforms, comply with universal design principles.
  • Inclusive communication practices, such as the use of gender-neutral and non-stereotyped language across all institutional documents and public events.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Governance

The practical implementation of equality and inclusion policies is entrusted to the Equal Opportunities Committee, a representative body operating under the Rector’s supervision.
The Committee plays an active role in preventing discrimination, monitoring equality measures, and fostering a culture of inclusion across the University.

Its responsibilities include:

  • Preventing and countering discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, political belief, age, or sexual orientation, as well as any form of harassment or violence.
  • Supporting individuals who believe they have been victims of discriminatory or harmful behaviour, providing confidential assistance and mediation.
  • Promoting work-life balance policies, flexible working arrangements, and welfare measures to enable full participation in academic life.
  • Monitoring equality in recruitment, teaching, and research, and advising the Rector on policy improvements.
  • Raising awareness through training, research, and cultural initiatives on equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion.

The Committee’s work is closely aligned with the IULM Strategic Gender Equality and Inclusion Plan and contributes to periodic reporting and improvement actions in line with EU and national equality standards.

Inclusive Access to University Activities

Several university activities — including degree programmes, public lectures, cultural festivals, community education, and executive training — are explicitly described in promotional and registration materials as “open to all.”
This applies to:

  • Public engagement initiatives (e.g. IULM for the City, Flow Talks, SustainIULM, BookCity Milano @ IULM, Civil Week, and Fondamenta).
  • Vocational and professional training (e.g. Teacher Training Courses, Progetto Licei, Junior Schools, Translation Workshops).
  • Cultural and artistic activities (e.g. Sognielettrici Festival, Noir in Festival, AI.motion, The Legacy of Prometheus).

All of these initiatives are free or low-cost, physically accessible, and promoted publicly through IULM’s communication channels to ensure that external audiences — including underrepresented groups — can participate.