Looking back on the EDI Festival

On 24 October, over two hundred students, university staff and other interested people gathered in De Lik in the centre of Utrecht to reflect and look ahead to equality, diversity and inclusion at Utrecht University. Which insights did they gain?

Soraya la Rose, HR advisor at Utrecht University

'Today once again made clear the great importance of role models. Both among students and employees, we need role models who reflect the diversity of our society.'

Leonie Kroes-Wichers, employee HR expertise Work2work at Utrecht University, on the sign language session

‘This is such a vibrant language! Big gestures, wonderfully theatrical. Especially the clapping in silence – I would like to see that more often!

This makes me aware of how diverse we all are. I feel the pain of exclusion. I would like for us to pay a bit more attention to what the other needs to feel good.'

Ineke Vogels, alumna and retired former employee of Utrecht University

'I became aware of my prejudices right at the start of the festival. I was asked about my pronouns at the desk where they handed out name tags, and before I knew it I said, ‘I'm a woman, of course.’

'By attending events like this, I try to keep up a bit. Even at a later stage in life, you can continue to challenge your worldviews.'

Jojo Telussa, management assistant Human Resources at Utrecht University, on the session ‘Relax the world, start with you’

'We talked a lot this day about the how and what of diversity and inclusion, and this session made me realise that it all starts and ends with self-love. Self-love enables us to treat others well.'

Iris Boshoven, interior architect at Utrecht University

'The festival made me realise what some students and colleagues might encounter in their daily lives at UU. The programme managed to broaden my view in a positive and sometimes even playful way.'