Discrimination, diversity and inclusion

Why

For a long time, we upheld this image of the Netherlands as such a tolerant country. But is it really? When there are still so many reports of ethnic profiling? And of young people who put a different surname on a job application to get an interview? Or when politicians speak of head rags? When we see refugees from Ukraine being welcomed differently than refugees from Syria or Afghanistan? When parents keep their children home from school on Purple Friday? That trans people are threatened by gangs? That swastikas are daubed on synagogues and mosques? That in so many places people are excluded because literally the threshold is too high. So how tolerant is the Netherlands really?

And is tolerance something we should strive for at all? In business studies, the term 'tolerance' has to do with a margin of error, something you cannot avoid. For example, there may be a 0.05% tolerance of flies and faeces to a chocolate bar. Is that what we are saying? I tolerate you because, well, I can't get rid of you? We dream of a country where we are more ambitious, where we go for inclusion, for meeting in curiosity, for connection.

How

Expand your boundaries and build bridges, that is the call within GRENSVERLEGGERS and it ties in so nicely with this theme, it can be outside your comfort zone to step out of your own bubble, get to know others and their culture, customs, treasures and challenges. In several projects, participants of GRENSVERLEGGERS have done so anyway, seeking and finding connection. Sometimes even in places they did not think possible themselves. Projects full of activism, amazement and connection.

Mirror?

In the projects, it was striking for the participants to get to know not only 'the other' better, but also themselves and their group mates, in order to also explore the diversity in themselves and each other. And to see that where society sometimes seems to find diversity just scary and difficult, there is so much richness and joy to be discovered. For example, during an iftar on one of our weekends, where we broke the fast together and engaged in conversation about not only Ramadan, but also the important moments and celebrations in other religions.

Reinvent the wheel?

There is no need to reinvent the wheel for this! On this page, you can access inspiration, toolkits and find previous projects carried out within GRENSVERLEGGERS.