Open call Global Engagement

In 2022 the University launched its Strategic Framework for Global Engagement, inspired by the urgent concern for our common home, and focusing on wicked, systemic global challenges. These challenges range from the interconnected SDG’s, the climate crisis, changes in international power relationships and rising instability, increased international mobility and superdiversity in our societies, a challenging matrix for global cooperation struggling with a contested heritage of western supremacism, extractivism, and exploitation. These challenges call upon collaborative and diverse solutions from all actors within the university, including students.

The Working Group Global Engagement of the University of Antwerp launches an open call for small bottom-up initiatives that contribute to tackling above challenges.

The call pursues:

We encourage proposals that bridge gaps between different perspectives and worldviews, and that enhance genuine debate, critical-constructive discussion and dialogue.  

• Stimulating global citizenship
• Advancing relevant thinking for the 21st Century
• Strengthening inclusion and interconnectedness in our university, society and worldwide
• Promoting international justice and solidarity with the Global South
• The core belief that a positive, Globally Engaged future and university is possible and necessary.

The list below gives some examples purely for illustrative purposes. It is by no means an exhaustive list of possible initiatives.

• Panel discussion, workshops, seminars, or guest lectures ;
• Student/staff meetings (e.g. as interactive group discussions; as ‘brave space’ of specific groups; …);
• Workshops, activities, lectures that address systemic global challenges and reflection on its solutions
• Film with debate;
• (International) student parliament meeting with students from the Global South;
• Artistic or cultural events with a Global Engagement message (e.g. student competition, art competition, ‘meet the artist’ encounter, guided museum visit, …);
• Project to improve representation within structures of the university;
• Fair trade breakfast
• …

​Themes that may be covered include (examples, not exhaustive):​

• (Reflecting about) solidarity with poor and excluded groups in the today’s world beyond ‘development cooperation’;
• How to strengthen mutually beneficial global cooperation (for climate, trade, poverty reduction, biodiversity, security, etc.) ?
• Promoting respectful, interconnected debate and knowledge exchanges, in our current age of polarization;
• Is there a colonial legacy and what is it about? Is it possible to overcome it and what does it require?
• Addressing the reality and consequences of and ways to overcome colonialism and coloniality within the curriculum (curriculum review, new authors, critical questions on Eurocentric content);
• Enhance pedagogical methodologies that nurture discussions and critical exchange between lecturer and student, create safe spaces allowing inter-vision and an open home for everyone at the university;
• Promotion of diverse students' inflow and outflow (“democratization of the university 2.0.”) ;
• Awareness raising and reflection about global injustices, power dynamics and privileges;
• Exchanges with international partners, or student bodies on systemic challenges and solutions;
• How to embrace diversity as an opportunity and strengthen anti-racism at the university?
• Promote and reflect about equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships with the Global South;
• Community outreach and service projects, preferably with the Global South;
• Wellbeing of international students;
• ..

You are a student (including PhD students), or a group of students, and/or student organization with strong connection with the University of Antwerp.
You can also submit a proposal as a UAntwerp staff member if the proposal includes organizing activities together with and for students. 

• The proposal should build on the goals described in the GE Strategic framework
• The proposal should include:
  • A clear description of the project, its objectives and expected outcomes
  • A budget proposal, a timeline and a plan for evaluation.
  • Please find below the project form to be filled in.

​A collaboration between various actors and disciplines within the University is encouraged.

Proposals are valued that are innovative, and inclusive, and that involve multiple perspectives and voices about Global Engagement.

Grant recipients are required to submit a short report and present their project and its outcomes as part of the GE Lecture Series in March 2024.

Upon completion of your project all members receive a certificate with the attained competences.

During the academic year 2023-24, the call is permanently open and proposals can be submitted by filling in the form below.

Selected proposals will receive funding (maximum 3000 euro) and feedback from the Working Group Global Engagement; and networking opportunities will be offered.  

Before submitting, you are welcome to first introduce and explain your idea by sending a letter of intent (small paragraph with core idea, objective and action plan) to members of the Bureau GE via sebastian.vanhoeck@uantwerpen.be. You will receive feedback by the Bureau GE which will invite you to formulate your full proposal.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to working together to create a more relevant, critical and engaged university.

​This project was made possible by Global Minds funding from VLIR-UOS.​