Incluusion Community launched
New diversity network for and by refugees
Last week, around 50 people braved the cold for the launch of the Incluusion Community: UU’s newest diversity network for and by people with a refugee background. Co-founder Hesham Al-Sallal: “Our aim is to create a sense of belonging for students and staff with a refugee background, with the help of our UU allies.”
The launching event was organised by its core group members: five enthusiasts who founded the Community. Hesham Al-Sallal elaborates: “Our community is a safe place where people can help each other academically, professionally, and socially.” Co-founder and brother Yousef Al-Sallal adds: “It is not a community without active members”, asking participants to share their ideas about how the community should function.
Refugees’ voices heard
The core group will organize at least four community events per year with the support of Incluusion. On top of that, they will regularly organize “Study & Work Together Sessions” at the Administration Building, to provide a space within the university for students, trainees, staff and allies to come together to study, work or discuss their future plans as newcomers in the Netherlands.
Having a core group ensures that the organization is bottom-up. The voices of refugees are all too often unheard, but not in this community: its members directly influence what the Incluusion Community will look like.
Stepping stone
Yousef Al-Sallal is studying Conflict Studies and Human Rights at UU. As a former Incluusion student, he played an instrumental role in setting up the Incluusion Community. He urges both students with a refugee background and allies to join the community: “I believe that the Incluusion Community serves as a stepping stone to initiate a new social and academic circle in a new country. It will enhance the sense of belonging for students with a refugee background, enabling them to connect with individuals who have faced similar challenges and may share similar interests with them." Throughout the event, Yousef Al-Sallal made the participants feel at home with little jokes and by using icebreaker games. Pizzas and a pop quiz with questions about eg. Dutch culture topped off a successful first event.
Incluusion manager Ragna Senf looks back on the launching event: “It was wonderful to see that there was a blend of Incluusion students, regular UU students and staff members present. My wish for all our community members with a refugee background is that participation in the events will help them shape their new identity here in the Netherlands, by providing a space where they can claim agency.”
Buddy Support for new students
In addition to the social events and “Study & Work Together Sessions”, new Incluusion students receive support through a Buddy Support System. Regular UU students are matched to new Incluusion students to support them with their academic and social integration at UU.
New buddies and Incluusion students can sign up for the buddy system prior to each block. New buddies receive a training to prepare them for their roles. For Incluusion students, it means a smoother transition from asylum seekers’ centre back to studying. For the buddies, it is an experience that broadens their world perspective.
The Incluusion Community is supported by the EDI Office of the university.