Radboud University
There are numerous initiatives and recurring events that aim to make Radboud University a safe and accessible place for all students and staff. On this page you can read more about the most important initiatives.
The purpose of Solidarity Week is to raise awareness about issues of inequality, oppression, and marginalization. The initiative was conceived from the voices of dedicated students, staff, faculty members and is proudly supported by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion [DEI] Office. It is a time when we move beyond conversations regarding race, intersectionality, religion and barriers to engage in reflection, changing behavior and developing policies together.
People with disabilities face issues concerning employment, social participation, transportation, and healthcare among others. To make societies more disability inclusive, the WHO suggests increasing awareness, promoting inclusion, and creating tools as well as guidelines for better processes. Studying and working can be quite challenging for people with disabilities.
In 2022 the disABILITY and Accessibility committee was founded as part of Radboud University's DEI office. This committee aims to improve the accessibility of the university. The committee’s goal is not confined to improving the campus’ physical access but also focused on increasing the accessibility of the campus for students and employees with autism or an anxiety disorder. Through panel discussions, lectures and other carefully curated sessions, the disABILITY and Accessibility committee contemplates questions of ableism, facilitating students and employees with disabilities, labour participation and more.
In a joint diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative Radboud & Radboud University have created an interactive theater with Crux Creatives. Input for the script was provided by staff and students. The shared narratives make this authentic production an exercise in reflection. This workshop offers the audience, leaders and team members, opportunities to address serious issues that they encounter in their workplace and allow them to engage in difficult conversations. The scenes act as windows into prejudice, everyday behavior and issues of gender equality and breaking the glass ceiling; physical or psychological limitations that (un)consciously lead to distance from the labor market and construction of barriers when it comes to individuals with different identities. It seeks to give individuals the tools to sit with discomfort in a safe space.
On Purple Friday, educational institutions around the Netherlands emphasize LGBTQ+ student and staff acceptance. On this day, the campus of Radboud University morphed into beautiful hues of purple. The community participated by spreading the word, wearing purple and sharing images online using #paarsevrijdag and #radboudlife to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Diversity Day Netherlands on 4 October is a day when companies recognize the fact that diverse teams translate into greater creativity, insights and productivity. It acknowledges that everyone is unique and different and together form a strong whole. On Diversity Day, companies organize their own activities to draw attention to diversity. At Radboud University we believe that only when we create room for and celebrate differences can we make vital contributions that drive change in education, research and impact lives. Diversity Day is an opportunity for us to share, discuss and find opportunities to collaborate to achieve the goal of creating equitable societies.