Every year in March, the University of Antwerp puts a spotlight on ethnic-cultural diversity, inclusion, and global engagement. This year was no exception. Together with a wide range of internal and external partners – including USOS, IOB, AYO, CPG, and AUHA – we curated an inspiring programme to raise awareness around these important themes. Our aim: to engage the UAntwerp community in conversations about ethnic-cultural inequalities within our university, in society at large, and across the Global South.
Through lectures, workshops, film screenings, campaigns, and more, we explored topics such as racism, implicit bias, international cooperation, decolonisation, and critical global citizenship.
Naïma Charkaoui delivered a powerful lecture on how racism affects health and development, drawing from her book Racisme: over wonden en veerkracht (“Racism: on wounds and resilience”). USOS and student association AYO hosted an engaging evening with the creators of De Afro-Europeaan, a TV programme exploring the meaning of “home” for the African diaspora in Europe. They discussed themes like cultural roots, raising children in bicultural contexts, and Black identity – all in a vibrant celebration of African culture.
IOB offered a critical perspective on Belgium’s colonial past with a screening of the documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’État. These are just a few examples from a month full of thought-provoking and enriching activities.
But our commitment goes beyond events. At UAntwerp, we place strong emphasis on structural change through a solid policy framework. The March programme is embedded in key institutional initiatives, including the Strategic Framework for Global Engagement, the interuniversity Declaration of Commitment to Ethnic-Cultural Inclusion (VLIR and the Young Academy), and our own new Diversity & Inclusion Policy Plan.
We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to this vibrant month, and we’re already looking forward to the next edition in 2026!