Invitation online round table meeting 15^th of February 2022

Dealing with diversity at HAN:Inclusion as a verb What diversity do you see in your classroom? Which groups are dominant? Which stories or students do you hardly ever hear? How do you deal with issues surrounding inequality and discrimination? Do you dare to engage in awkward conversations, even though you’re not quite sure how they might end or where they might end up? We want our students and colleagues to be seen, heard and known at HAN, everyone to be treated equally, having equal opportunities to develop themselves as professionals. Unfortunately, this is not the case yet. To improve our practice, we require open attitudes, in which we need to recognize our own dominant ideas and become aware of blind spots, even when it becomes difficult and ‘ongezellig’ (unsociable in Dutch). In this interactive English-language meeting you will gain insight into the gap between ’the dominant story’ and other stories, and the mechanisms that maintain this gap. Aminata Cairo explains the framework for how to recognize and deal with these gaps in her book Holding Space (2021). You will experience for yourselves how you can distinguish the dominant narrative from the different viewpoints in a group setting. With colleagues we will exchange which tools we already use to hear different voices and offer a safe space. You will also be provided with tools from Deep Democracy, which can help you start the uncomfortable conversation and use the power of diversity in groups.

Saskia Kreutzer (she/her) has been affiliated with HAN for 15 years as a teacher and Student career coach (SLB-er) for international students at the International School of Business. She specialized in the field of social and intercultural competences, diversity and inclusion. As a sociologist she has experience at home and abroad (Niger and Mexico) She also studied gender diversity as a volunteer at Transvisie. When working with the people involved listening is key to connect and find solutions.

Are you inspired after this meeting and do you want to more? Saskia will facilitate a training  Diversiteit en inclusie starting in March. You are invited to bring your story!