Fighting ethnic, racial and religious discrimination

Jonge mensen op straat in Amsterdam, ze doen capoeira
Photo: Fons Heijnsbroek via Unsplash

Hanneke van Eijken, Linda Senden and Jitske Mink of Utrecht University have started the Horizon project UNDETERRED. This is a multi-country study with the aim to  fight against the inequalities facing minority groups in the EU.  The Utrecht colleagues conduct case law research in the Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam supplements this with quantitative research.

Despite existing legislation and policy, many young people (18-35 years) with a North African or other minority background experience discrimination in all aspects of daily life. From finding work and a home to accessing healthcare and higher education. How do we fight inequality? How do we improve norms, procedures and practices that cause discrimination? That is what the multidisciplinary research UNDETERRED focuses on.

Scientists involved in UNDETERRED conduct research into systematic discrimination and racism in the countries of Canada, France, Spain, Switzerland, Romania and the Netherlands. The project is coordinated by Université de Bordeaux.

Housing, jobs, healthcare, higher education

The multidisciplinary research focuses on discrimination against the younger generation (18-35 years old) on the grounds of race, ethnicity and religion. Specifically, the research will focus on (the offspring of) North African, Sub-Saharan and Turkish immigrants, and national minority groups such as Roma. Discrimination against this target group is being investigated in four sub-areas: housing, employment, health and higher education. The study is limited to the aforementioned countries because recent statistical research (ILO 2021, OECD 2020) has shown that discrimination has been experienced in these countries by the aforementioned target group within the aforementioned sub-areas.

Diversity and inclusion

Unintended mechanisms of discrimination may not or may not be identified, understood or combated. The aim of the research is therefore to clarify this, to make decision-makers aware of this and to encourage them to take action in the field of diversity and inclusion. The aim is to reduce inequality and promote an inclusive society.

Researchers from Utrecht University are conducting legal research into the situation in the Netherlands. The results of the different countries will be compared and brought together in a research report. This research report will be presented in January 2024.