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.
Inspiration
Watch
MTV Documentary - White People
Watch
What is privilege? Watch this clip with the powerful exercise the privilege walk
Listen
Podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory.
Listen
Podcast Queery explores individual stories of identity, personality and the shifting cultural matrix around gender, sexuality and civil rights.
Read
Article by Letitia Nieto on oppression and the mechanism of discrimination and the 'ranking machine'.
Read
Toolkit with tips, inspiration and working forms on how to work with others on inclusion and diversity yourself.
More resources
Previous projects
Talkshow with ProDemos on the inequality faced by different groups of refugees in the Netherlands
A short fim about the sruggles of students, for instance with diversity
Awareness about taboo topics related to cultural and/or religious background
A game is to empower male vulnerability in a fun way. Accessible and fun to play in new environments.
Team Phoenix: Kanselen (Dutch)
Get a grip
Documentary series on toxic masclunity and its consequences on an individual, relational and societal level
Platform for young people to share their cultural richness and talk to each other about challenges they experience regarding culture and diversity
A magazine filled with information, stories and facts about youth work
Online evenings where young people discussed polarisation, for example of left-wing and right-wing political parties
Online meetings during the pandemic, working on mutual connection and curiosity about each other's differences
A local sports day to build bridges amongst different cultures
Verbinders Oost: Gathering during the pandemic (Dutch)
Safe (Men) Space
Training on themes of diversity and discrimination to promote inclusion within classes in secondary schools
The 5D bystander intervention adjusted for men, to promote safety for all. Also in queer spaces.
An exhibition with the message: 'You are free to be, without conditions'. Full of beautiful, honest and inspiring stories
A soccer tournament with a focus on building connections.
Colorful Duty: Podcast about their activity (Dutch)
A gathering, during the corona period for young people in Amsterdam from different backgrounds
Podcast on opportunity inequality, discrimination and how it limits young people when they go looking for work
Magazine with a focus on the (International) students at the HAN
Online meetings in which, using Deep Democracy, heated and sometimes abrasive conversations were held
Young people from across the country were invited to meet in a real shack in Tiendeveen
Sports event where Dutch and international students af Inholland got to meet each other.
Want to know more about a project? Or get in touch with someone from a project group? Then send an email, with your question and the name of the group to Hallo@grensverleggers.nu and we will forward it for you.
Retrospective
Aftermovie Ronde 2 - 2021 (Dutch)