On Friday, June 27, a partner meeting took place with all partners, members of the advisory committee, and allies in the field. We explored how the various policy agendas, such as Diversity & Inclusion, Social Safety, Recognition and Appreciation, Equal Opportunities, and Student Well-being, are interconnected in policy and how these intertwined strands can be translated into practice. The goal was: 'How can we, as a sector, take meaningful steps in this together? We reflected on the current and wanted situation and identified opportunities, tensions, and challenges to increase our collective impact.
Integrated approach
Moderator Mala Paltoe opens the meeting and welcomes everyone. The chair, Prof. Vinod Subramaniam of the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education and Research, spoke and reflected on the need for more diversity and inclusion in higher education and research. We are all responsible for these important issues and must take action ourselves. He also mentioned that we are champions at silo thinking in working groups and steering committees and that we forget to talk to each other and have the uncomfortable conversation about this. It is important to take an integrated approach to the various issues, such as social safety and diversity and inclusion, and to connect them with each other. A plea for an integrated approach to issues and policy agendas, because they are interconnected. And a call to action to jointly take on and define the role.
Making our voices heard
There are also points of concern, because diversity and inclusion are under pressure. And reflection on the subject is also important. What does diversity mean? It can sometimes be difficult, because there are many things you cannot see on the outside of people. Vinod Subramaniam: “We are and will remain a pluralistic society, and it is important that we make our voices heard and have the discussion about this important subject.”
Panel discussion
After the introduction, there was a panel discussion with Vinod Subramaniam, chair of the DIHOO Advisory Committee, Mary Tupan-Wenno, director of ECHO, Machteld de Jong, lecturer in Diversity Issues at Inholland, and Eddie Brummelman, associate professor at the University of Amsterdam and chair of the Young Academy.
Led by Mala Paltoe, they discussed their views on the intertwining of the various themes, particularly the interconnection with practice, the tensions between intention and practice, and how the bridge between policy and practice can be strengthened.
Making connections
Mary Tupan-Wenno: “What is needed that people can recognize themselves. Society is so diverse, so how do you get everyone on board? We need to think strategically about how we can make connections and be realistic about what is possible and what not.”
Machteld de Jong: ‘There is often too little time. It is important to create a safe space and to go in conversation with each other.’
Vinod Subramaniam: 'I was one of the first people of color in my position in the past 80 years. Fortunately, there are more women now, but we still have a long way to go. It is not yet intertwined.'
The audience also made some interesting additions to this. Student Akram Achahboun emphasized that it is important to get students on the table. Don't talk about students, but with students. Concrete tools are also often lacking, and Elijah Alvares believes that the government should do much more to address this. Leadership, budget, and support are also needed within institutions, institutes, partners, and the government.
Reflection
After lunch, there was a working session where we worked in groups to identify how the themes reinforce or hinder each other. The following questions were discussed.
- Formulate two challenges and opportunities in the intertwining of themes and policy agendas.
- Name two or more connections between the policy areas.
- How can networks and/or organizations work together better/more within the themes?
- What does this require of us? As current partners and allies of the NAP DIHOO.
The session concluded with joint feedback and an exploration of possible next steps. Below are a number of important outcomes. The meeting concluded with joint feedback and an exploration of possible next steps. Below are a number of important outcomes.
- Find a practical implementation and build on that.
- Involve national student organizations.
- Look for common goals and shared ownership.
- Build on what already exists in the area of social safety and seek common ground.
- Set up task forces with a mandate and resources.
- Ensure that there is dissent.
- Share what is not working.
- Give middle management a greater role.
- Continue to seek each other out on the various themes.
The outcome of the working sessions, including action holders, will be elaborated and included in a possible follow-up to the national action plan for diversity & inclusion in higher education and research. The next step is to organize the next partner meeting at the end of 2025 and to continue working on the outcomes and action points.
We concluded the meeting with a visualization of how you envision the ideal world with intertwined threads and left the room feeling very inspired.