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Diversity Week 2023

18 September 2023

Come celebrate diversity with us! On the 3rd of October, the whole of the Netherlands celebrates Diversity Day.

From 2-6 October 2023, the UG is celebrating diversity! Students and staff are invited to attend one of our many events happening this week. Full descriptions of each activity are available below the timetable.

The week was opened by Gerry Wakker, Chief D&I Officer. You can rewatch the video here.

Timetable of all the activities

Note that several events require registration in advance. Don’t forget to register on time! Some events have a maximum capacity due to the size of the rooms, so reserve your space today!

We try to ensure our events are accessible to all. If you have any questions related to accessibility, please feel free to send us an email at diversity rug.nl.

For the addresses of UG buildings, please see this website.

All activities on October 2nd

Time
Activity
Location
Registration
Language

9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Workshop: Co-create a Theater Production

*Open to all UG students and staff

USVA

Register here by 27 September

EN

9:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bus tour : Cultural Diversity

*Open to UG staff

Available upon registration

Register here

NL

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Accessibility Workshops

*Open by invite only

Available upon registration

By invite only

NL
All activities on October 3rd

Time

Activity

Location

Registration

Language

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

National Diversity Day Kick-off

Online

Register here

NL

Available from 10:00 a.m.

UG Opening by Prof. Dr. Gerry Wakker – Chief D&I Officer

Online video

No registration required

EN

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch conversation with Daniëlle Jiskoot

*Open to UG staff

Gasunie

Register here

NL

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Workshop: Neurodiversity in the Labour Market

*Open to FEB students only

Duisenberg Building

Register with FEB Career Services

EN

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

FSE Diversity Day - We @ FSE

*Open to all UG students and staff

Energy Academy

Register here by 26 September

EN

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Workshop: The Power of Strangers

*Open to all UG students and staff

Harmony Building

Register here by 27 September

EN

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Embracing Neurodiversity: Shining a Light on Autism

*Open to RUG-UMCG students and staff only

UMCG

Register here by 26 September

EN

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Online Workshop: Inclusive Leadership

*Open to UG staff

Online

Register here

NL

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Lecture & discussion: Revitalizing human rights

Rölinggebouw (Singer-Dekkerzaal)

Register here by 27 September

EN

All activities on October 4th

Time

Activity

Location

Registration

Language

10:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Bus tour: Naturally Inclusive

*Open to UG staff

Available upon registration

Register here

NL

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lecture: Teach Me How to Do Things

*Open to UG staff

Martini Hospital

Register here

NL

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Workshop: Dilemma Game

*Open to all UG students and staff

Academy Building

Register here by 27 September

EN

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Keynote: Diversity as a resource in education

Mennonite Church

Register here

EN

All activities on October 5th

Time

Activity

Location

Registration

Language

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Symposium: Language Learning & Wellbeing in Newcomers and Refugees

House of Connections

Register here by 25 September

EN

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

D&I Lunch ‘n’ Learn: Onboarding

*Open to UG staff only

Information pending

Information pending

Pending

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Accessibility Workshops

*Open by invite only

Available upon registration

By invite only

NL

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Workshop: Conflict & Cultural Diversity

*Open to all UG students and staff

Harmony Building

Register here by 27 September

EN

4:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m.

Online Masterclass: Job carving & job crafting

*Open to UG staff

Online

Register here

NL

All activities on October 6th

Time

Activity

Location

Registration

Language

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Workshop: Inclusive Language

*Open to all UG students and staff

Online

Register here by 27 September

EN

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Workshop: Factfulness

*Open to all UG students and staff

Harmony Building

Register here by 27 September

EN

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Performance: Co-created Theater Production

Harmony Building

Register here by 4 October

EN

Activities on the 2nd of October

Workshop: Co-create a Theater Production

Open to UG students and staff

Theatre is a powerful tool for exploring diversity and inclusion.

It can allow us to co-create brave spaces to tell our own stories of inclusion and exclusion. It asks us to, literally, step into the shoes of another, and through it we can explore our responses to challenging situations.

During this week-long theater workshop led by a theater director and Diversity & Inclusion professional, participants provide input based on their own experiences, frustrations, hopes, likes and dislikes. This input will then be used to create a low-key, small-scale performance at the end of the week. After the show, an open conversation will take place between the audience and the participants.

UG staff and students interested in being a part of this co-creation are invited to apply for a spot.

Given the small amount of time to work towards an end performance and the desire to give everyone space and time to be seen and heard, the maximum number of participants to join this workshop will be 12.

This event is organized by the DEI Office at FSE and the UG D&I Office.

Time: Rehearsals will take place every day between Monday 2 October and Friday 6 October from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The final performance will be on Friday 6 October at 3:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: USVA

Registration: Register here by 26 September

Bus tour: Cultural Diversity

Open to UG staff

It is our great pleasure to invite you to an inspiring and enriching bus tour in the context of Diversity and Inclusion. This special tour will take us through various organizations and initiatives that are working with heart and soul to create a more diverse and inclusive society. The purpose of this tour is not only to learn from the successes and challenges of these organizations, but also to interact, share experiences and strengthen our network.

  • Visit to the Immigration Naturalization Service in ter Apel - Implementing immigration policy

  • Visit to the Province of Drenthe - Integration of newcomers

  • Visit to SSPB - Promoting sustainable labour participation

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Monday 2 October 9:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Bus tour (Starting location available upon registration)

Registration: Register here

Accessibility Workshops

By invitation only

The accessibility project is organizing a series of experiential accessibility workshops (by invitation only) to learn about and from students and staff with a disability.

Times:

  • 2 October 15.00-16.30 for the Central proctor pool of the UG

  • 5 October 15.00-16.30 for the secretarial network of the UG

Language: Dutch

Location: Provided after registration

Registration: By invite only

Activities on the 3rd of October

National Diversity Day Kick-off

Open to all

Join us in kicking off Diversity Day. From 9-10 a.m., SER Diversity in Business will take you through an inspiring program with chairman of the day Eva Eikhout. During a talk show they will talk with prominent speakers and experts about the urgency of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in leadership, and what it takes to create an inclusive organization in which diverse talent is utilized. The program will include questions from the audience, unique video compilations, and a column by a well-known writer and influencer (name to be revealed soon).

This event is organized by SER.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Language: Dutch (A few weeks after the livestream this event can be seen with English subtitles.)

Location: Online

Registration: Register here.

UG Opening by Prof. Dr. Gerry Wakker – Chief D&I Officer

*Open to all

The UG will kick off Diversity Week with an opening by Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Gerry Wakker. In this video, Gerry will talk about the importance of D&I at the UG.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: Tuesday 3 October, available from 10:00 a.m.
Language: English
Location: Online (video link to be posted on this page)
Registration: No registration required

Lunch conversation with Daniëlle Jiskoot

Open to UG staff only

Daniëlle Jiskoot will speak about social safety. Click here for more information about Daniëlle.

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Gasunie

Registration: Register here

Workshop: Neurodiversity in the Labour Market

Open to FEB students only

Neurodivergence; what does it mean to have a differently wired brain in terms of finding a suitable, satisfying and durable place in the job market?

To be autistic, dyslectic, ADHD or really any other brain type can be challenging in a job market that simply is not (yet) designed for people who are wired differently, even though about 1 in 20 people are in fact neurodivergent!

This is a 90-minute session in which you will learn about your rights, strengths, how and when to advocate for your needs and more.

As an autistic, ADHD sociologist and social policy advisor, facilitator Rosalie Ekstein, will provide insights from social sciences, her personal experiences, and ever changing social policies.

Let's talk about a neuro-inclusive future!

This event is organized by FEB.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Duisenberg Building (Room location will be shared after registration)

Registration: Registration via FEB career services

FSE Diversity Day - We @ FSE

Focused on FSE but open to all UG students and staff

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is organizing a Diversity Day - We @ FSE - on Tuesday, 3 October.

For that day, an exciting agenda is put together:

  1. Opening (1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.): presentation by the dean, Prof. dr. Joost W.M. Frenken, followed by stories from fellow FSE community members and drinks.

    “Be Proud @ FSE” Market (1:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m.)
    1. Photo exhibition : come view the photos and life quotes of diverse FSE community members.
    2. Portraits: a professional artist will draw the face of anyone who wants to be her model for a few minutes. Finalized portraits will be exhibited during the event.

    Living library (2:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m.): FSE community members will get to “read” people instead of books. They  will discover interesting persons whom they may not meet in their daily life, and get to know their perspectives. (Note: This activity is only available to the FSE community)

    Closing & drinks (4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.): more people from FSE will share their experiences. Drinks will be available from 17:00 onwards.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Energy Academy Hallway

Registration:  Register hereby 26 September.

Workshop: The Power of Strangers

Open to all UG students and staff

Want to increase your sense of belonging? Talk to a stranger!

Research has found that the quality of a person’s social relationships is the single best predictor of happiness and well-being. But those studies generally looked at strong ties, close relationships - family, friends, co-workers. But weak ties, for example, interacting with strangers are also unexpectedly good for us, too. Talking to strangers can enhance our sense of belonging to the places that we live, especially when those places are new or changing. Join us for a highly interactive workshop on the power of strangers.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Harmony Building (Room location will be shared after registration)

Registration: Register here by 27 September

Embracing Neurodiversity: Shining a Light on Autism

Open to RUG-UMCG students and staff only

Speakers: Elke de Jong (PhD candidate) and Dr. Carlijn van den Berg (child psychologist and Accare expert on autism for the Eastern region of Groningen)

The number of participants is limited to 50 people. Sign up early if you would like to participate!

This event is an initiative of the UMCG D&I ambassadors and team with the support of the UMCG Impact Team and the UMCG Committee for Language and Culture (UCLC).

Time: Tuesday 3 October 3:00 pm. - 4:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: UMCG, Ronde Zaal, onderwijscentrum, first floor

Registration: Register here by 26 September. Note that you need to select each specific seminar to subscribe.

Online Workshop: Inclusive Leadership*Open to UG staff

Open to UG staff only

We'll dive deeper into the four foundations of inclusive leadership and look at how to put these principles into practice.

Then we'll engage with other leaders about how to encourage inclusion within our team. We use a short self-assessment tool consisting of 10 statements. With this, we challenge ourselves and each other to reflect on our current approach and identify where we can still grow as leaders.

During this online session, we emphasize interaction and inspiration.

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Online (Link to be sent after registration)

Registration: Register here

Lecture & discussion: Revitalizing human rights

Open to all

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Is it still relevant? This seminar focuses on the emergence of "new" human rights, specifically addressing the right to energy and the rights of nature. It will be part lecture, presented by Dr. Marlies Hesselman and Medes Malaihollo, and part audience discussion.

For questions, please email wdi-law@rug.nl.

This event is organized by the Faculty of Law.

Time: Tuesday 3 October 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Rölinggebouw (Singer-Dekkerzaal)

Registration: Register here by 27 September

Activities on the 4th of October

Bus tour: Naturally Inclusive

Open to UG staff

It is our great pleasure to invite you to an inspiring and enriching bus tour in the context of Diversity and Inclusion. This special tour will take us through various organizations and initiatives that are working with heart and soul to create a more diverse and inclusive society. The purpose of this tour is not only to learn from the successes and challenges of these organizations, but also to interact, share experiences and strengthen our network.

Visit to Atelier Raderwerk

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Wednesday 4 October 10:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Bus tour (Starting location available upon registration)

Registration: Register here

Lecture: Teach Me How to Do Things

*Open to UG staff only

It is crucial that we move away from the traditional medical model that focuses on the question "what is wrong with you?" and instead embrace the social model. In this model, we start from the individual wants and needs of people with various physical needs, both visible and invisible. We ask ourselves, "How can we help realize these wants and needs?"

An important question to ask ourselves is how inclusive and diverse our organizations really are. Does everyone feel welcome and heard within our organizations? Is our organization accessible to everyone?

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Wednesday 4 October 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Martini Hospital

Registration: Register here

Workshop: Dilemma Game

Open to all UG students and staff

How do you engage in fruitful discussions about issues related to diversity and inclusion? How can you find and practice solutions together?

The dilemma game uses dilemmas from everyday life that you use as conversation starters. Dilemmas to reflect on, respond to, discuss, and perhaps rethink in an environment without judgment or criticism, but where space is created to understand other opinions. In this workshop, we will discuss some of these dilemmas together.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: Wednesday 4 October 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Academy Building (Room location will be shared after registration)

Registration:Register here by 27 September

Keynote: Diversity as a resource in education

Open to all

Robert Coelen is Emeritus Professor at the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and Director of the Centre for Internationalisation of Education at Campus Fryslân (UG). He is an expert in the field of internationalization of education and is especially interested in diversity and intercultural competences.

After the lecture, we would like to discuss ambitions, doubts and positive and negative experiences with diversity in education with the people present.

This meeting is especially interesting for teachers and student representatives, but everyone is, of course, very welcome!

This event is organized by the Faculty of BSS.

Time: Wednesday 4 October 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: The Church Hall of the Mennonite Church, Oude Boteringestraat 33

Registration: Register here

For more information or to register, please contact g.e.mude rug.nl

Activities on the 5th of October

Symposium: Language Learning & Wellbeing in Newcomers and Refugees

*Open to all

Schedule:

  • Coffee & tea
  • Opening by Marije Michel
  • Refugee (civic) integration: between policy and practice - Kinan Alajak, Utrecht University & Refugee Wellbeing and Integration Initiative.
  • Young refugee students in primary education: well-being and language learning. - Marijn van Dijk, Hanneke Leeuwestein, Elisa Kupers & Marieke Boelhouwer, RUG.
  • anguage playfulness of contextual navigators: Young refugees’ language strategies for inclusion in the Netherlands (Moos Pozzo, VU Amsterdam)
  • Lunch
  • Experiencing positive intergroup contact in an online language buddy program promotes newcomer integration - Eline Heikamp, Nina Hansen, Sabine Otten & Liesbet Heyse, RUG
  • Finally made it to safe shores - Seyit Gök, RUG
  • Trauma and second language acquisition - Mirjam Broersma, Radboud Universiteit
  • Coffee/Tea to go - Walk to Harmonie Building
  • The dynamics of well-being of highly-educated newcomers learning English in the Netherlands - Marije Michel, Jelle Brouwer & Rawan Altakriti, RUG
  • General discussion
  • Closing and drinks - Weber Foyer
  • End

For more details, see the event’s webpage.

This event is organized by the Rudolf Agricola School. This event is organized within the Agricola theme Democracy and Governance , and made possible by a Agricola Small Grant 2022.

Time: Thursday 5 October 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Language: English
Location:House of Connections, Grote Market 21, Groningen
Registration: Register here by 25 September

D&I Lunch ‘n’ Learn: Onboarding

Open to UG staff only

First impressions apply not just to people but to classrooms and virtual spaces too. What are the first impressions that your course makes? Is it accessible, inviting, inclusive? Does it make students want to participate? In this Lunch ‘n Learn session, the facilitators will share some ideas to get us started and then we will discuss and learn from each other. Bring your lunch, bring your questions and bring your own ideas or experiences.

This event is organized by TAG.

Time: Thursday 5 October, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Language: English
Location:  Information forthcoming
Registration: Sign up here before 27 september

Accessibility Workshops

By invitation only

The accessibility project is organizing a series of experiential accessibility workshops (by invitation only) to learn about and from students and staff with a disability.

Times:

●        2 October 15.00-16.30 for the Central proctor pool of the UG

●        5 October 15.00-16.30 for the secretarial network of the UG

Language: Dutch

Location: Provided after registration

Registration: By invite only

Workshop: Conflict & Cultural Diversity

Open to all UG students and staff

In a culturally diverse environment, that, by definition, is characterized by different expectations around unspoken norms and values, much misunderstanding and conflict can be avoided by developing intercultural competence. Yet, sometimes these unspoken expectations do lead to misunderstanding and conflict. The way we engage in misunderstandings, conflict, and problem-solving is grounded in very different approaches that people take to resolving difficulties with one another. The ability to recognize and effectively respond to cultural differences in communication and conflict styles enhances our ability to reconcile those differences. In this highly interactive workshop we will explore intercultural conflict and conflict styles.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: Thursday 5 October, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Harmony Building (Room location will be shared after registration)

Registration: Register here by 27 September

Online Masterclass: Job carving & job crafting

Open to UG staff only

Tips for creating a job for unlimited talent

In job carving, an existing job is modified and/or broken down into subtasks to create a job and make it suitable for someone with specific needs at work. In job crafting, the talent of the (future) employee is the starting point. Based on the person's talents, we look at what work fits personal wishes and capabilities. This determines the composition of the job package.

During the master class we exchange knowledge and experience, we discuss the pros and cons and the speaker gives you tips to get started right away.

This event is organized by Noorderlink.

Time: Thursday 5 October, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Language: Dutch

Location: Online (link to be sent after registration)

Registration: Register here

Activities on the 6th of October

Workshop: Inclusive Language

Open to all UG students and staff

How we communicate can enhance or detract from an inclusive environment. Inclusive language enables us to make sure we are addressing one another and communicating respectfully, accurately and without harm. The Inclusive Language Style Guide was developed to help you address new developments in language, and to support you in incorporating inclusive language into your daily communications. It covers topics such as gender-aware language use, language surrounding (dis)ability and neurodivergence, language around background and ethnicity, inclusive language in academic texts, in HR and communications, pronoun usage, and ‘false friends.’ In response to the publication of the Style Guide, requests arose for an Inclusive Language workshop: this workshop.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: Friday 6 October, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Online (Link to be sent after registration)

Registration: Register here by 27 September

Workshop: Factfulness

Open to all UG students and staff

How susceptible are you to the pull of polarization? In our understanding of simple global trends that impact our lives, we systematically get the facts wrong. We are easily swayed towards a stressful, over-dramatic impression of the world. In this workshop we will test our own susceptibility and explore 10 different inclinations we have that distort our perspectives. The better we understand these instincts, the better we can hold opinions for which you have strong supporting fact, the better we can focus on the things that matter the most.

This event is organized by the D&I Office.

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Language: English

Location: Harmony Building (Room location will be shared after registration)

Registration: Register here by 27 September

Performance: Co-created Theater Production

Open to all

Attend this free theater performance about stories of inclusion and exclusion! This performance will be co-created by UG students and staff during Diversity Week, drawing on their own experiences of inclusion and exclusion in the safe space of the rehearsal room. In performance, they use the theater to bravely give voice to their experience and to foster dialogue and understanding with the audience.

After the show, an open conversation will take place between the audience and the participants.

This event is organized by the DEI Office at FSE and the D&I Office.

Time: Friday 6 October 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m

Language: English

Location: Harmony Building (Room provided upon registration)

Registration: Register here by 4 October

Last modified:09 November 2023 1.33 p.m.
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