Wednesday the 22nd of September UASNL and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) organised the lunch session “The Role of Applied Research in Creating an Inclusive Society”. Mr Wâtte Zijlstra, researcher and programme manager at the Centre of Expertise Global & Inclusive Learning at THUAS moderated the session.
Hristina Petkova from the European Commission highlighted a number of Commission initiatives on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. The main objective is to ‘strengthen Europe’s commitment to inclusion and equality in all of its senses, irrespective of sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. On December 9, 2021 an online European Education Summit will address inclusion as well. Her presentation can be downloaded here: Equality, inclusion and diversity – UASNL lunchseminar.
Ms Naomi van Stapele, Professor Inclusive Education at THUAS, Patricia Staaf, Director Centre for Teaching & Learning at Malmö University and Mary Tupan, Director ECHO (Center of Expertise for Diversity Policy), had a panel discussion. Some of the key elements for inclusion are a community led approach, student & community participation in activities, know and involve your main stakeholders, there is no “one solution fits all” remedy, sharing both the power and the funding with students & communities to be successful, use data and try to stretch the system by including new, but relevant communities, by creating work packages & deliverables that fit the communities needs. In other words listen, be humble, facilitate, try to understand and make things happen in research and cooperation projects. Missed the session, but still curious to see it? Please click below to start the recording of the session.
