Click here if you want to watch the meeting in full.

Written by Fernanda Salvato

On Tuesday, February 15, took place the online meeting: Dealing with diversity at HAN: Inclusion as a verb. Saskia Kreutzer not only shared with us many valuable information about diversity, but created a safe space where colleagues could share important and inspirational experiences with each other.

The start point of the meeting was already a reflection. It was a bit of a “teaser” on what would be ahead on the presentation. We started analyzing how diverse was our audience, getting to know each other more. To understand more the group, we replied some questions anonymously, such as which languages we speak, age, socio economic status, gender identity and race.

Saskia Kreutzer explained us about the ‘Dominant’ stories (heard, valid, unquestioned) and ‘other’ stories (not listened to, questioned and many times discarded and invalid) and which mechanisms that maintain the ‘dominant and the other stories divide’ – for example, anger and superiority feelings, the uncomfortable feeling, fear of getting cut off or excluded.

It is a fact: stories help to disrupt the divide, and the group was ready to see that in practice. In breakout rooms we had the chance to share with other 4 or 5 colleagues some uncomfortable stories. Colleagues were listening carefully each other, the stories were all very interesting, just highlighting how plural our HAN community is. I could tell that the similarity on those stories was the fact that there was no true of false about them. They were unique narratives shared by a point of view.

Going back to the theory we learned some interventions to hold space and disrupt the ‘divide’. Followed by another group discussion about including ‘other stories’. Saskia gave also information about Diversity at HAN, and shared tips for teachers in ‘hot’/uncomfortable moments. It was also shared some tools and tips that can be used to include everyone.

The presentation took one hour and a half, and It was extremely balanced between theory and discussions. It was a great opportunity to meet new colleagues around the university and to learn and understand more our role creating an inclusive and diverse space at the HAN.

In resume, to have more diversity in educational institutions helps to prepare students to interact on a global scale and increases a student’s cultural awareness. Educating students and employees about a variety of cultures brings many other benefits. Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and equal can help build confidence and encourage all to participate in group settings, answer questions and ask for help, all of which can help to achieve everyone’s private and professional goals.

Check out this Padlet if you want to read or share about diversity (at HAN). You can also find the powerpoint presentation used at the roundtable meeting here.