On this page you will find information about the policies and initiatives that UAntwerp has in place to promote ethnic-cultural diversity.
1. Policy
1.1. Strategic Framework for Global Engagement
During 2021 and 2022, several groups worked on the strategic framework Global Engagement. This strategy builds on existing collaborations and solidarity with partners in the Global South, while moving engagement beyond the international context, and looking critically at global citizenship and decolonisation within the university itself. These themes relate to ethnic-cultural inclusion by analysing educational and research policies for global engagement, critically looking at the diversity of the curriculum and committing to intercultural, international and anti-racist competences for students and staff.
Read more about the Strategic Framework for Global Engagement.
1.2. VLIR and Young Academy - Collaborating on ethnic cultural diversity and inclusion in higher education
Since January 2022, the Flemish Interuniversity Council (Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad), the Young Academy of Belgium (Jonge Academie) and the Flemish Student Union (Vlaamse Vereniging Studenten) have pledged to promote ethnic-cultural diversity and inclusion in student affairs, education, human resources and research by:
Working towards a commitment statement that is supported by evidence-based and effective SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based) initiatives. Flemish Universities will actively commit to these initiatives.
Encouraging universities to share good practices with each other.
Read more about the results of the commitment statement. (only available in Dutch)
2. Campaigns and activities
2.1. Patrice Lumumba lecture hall (31/03/2023)
The inauguration of the lecture hall is part of "an awareness raising campaign in which we focus on Patrice Lumumba as an important symbol of emancipation, respect, equality and human rights". On the 31st of March 2023, family members of the late Patrice Lumumba attended a ceremony to inaugurate the lecture hall. With this tribute, the University wishes to reaffirm its commitment to global justice and solidarity.
From this inauguration onwards, the month of March will be an annual collective critical exercise on the decolonisation of our university.
Read more about the inauguration of the Patrice Lumumba lecture hall.
2.2. Ethnic-Cultural Inclusion and Global Engagement Month (March 2024)
During the month of March, we are bringing issues connected to ethnic-cultural inclusion and global engagement to the wider UAntwerp community, our students and staff. During this month, we want to involve you, as a student or staff member, in the steps we have already taken and also give you a voice in the steps we can take as a university in the future. In this way, we hope to bring about structural change together with you.
Find out more about ethnic-cultural inclusion and global engagement month.