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The opening speech is given by Diversity Dean John de Wit. Followed by keynote speaker by  (in Dutch). The moderators  and Gisela van der Velden.

Have you always wanted to learn the basics of sign language, like how to sign your name or order a coffee using sign language? Now’s your chance! Join us for an introductory workshop led by Henny Bouw, a deaf instructor, with the support of a translator from Dutch Sign Language (NGT) to Dutch. In this workshop, you'll learn essential signs and phrases to communicate in sign language. After the workshop, you can practice your new skills at our  (in Dutch), where you'll have the opportunity to order your coffee using sign language. It’s a fun, interactive way to start learning and using sign language in everyday situations. This workshop will be in Dutch.

In this engaging panel discussion, previous winners of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Awards come together to share their experiences and insights on how winning the award has impacted both their personal and professional lives. The panelists, each recognized for their outstanding contributions to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion, will discuss how receiving the award has shaped their work, broadened their influence, and inspired further initiatives in the field of EDI.

This interactive workshop is designed to empower participants to recognize and address inappropriate behavior in the workplace and university or other social settings. Participants will learn how to identify subtle and overt forms of inappropriate conduct, ranging from bullying and gossip to harassment and discrimination. They will also acquire practical tools to intervene safely and effectively as active bystanders, thereby contributing to a positive, respectful environment. For more information about the workshop click 

Briska Smit, a sensitivity expert, coach at �����̨, and founder of the Centrum voor Zelfvertrouwen, believes that embracing diversity starts with self care. Through her mission, “Relax the world, start with yourself,” she emphasizes that self-care is essential for appreciating and supporting the diverse needs of others.

In this workshop, Briska will share practical techniques for cultivating self-compassion and resilience. By learning to care for ourselves, we become better equipped to be compassionate and inclusive towards those around us, whether they are our clients, students, colleagues, or loved ones. This way, we contribute to a more diverse and supportive community.

Join Briska to discover how self-care can help you be a stronger advocate for diversity and inclusion in your personal and professional life. This workshop is in Dutch. 

This workshop explores what it means to be neurodivergent at Utrecht University. Neurodivergent individuals—those with conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences—often face unique challenges in both academic and work environments. Led by Dr. Ozan Ozavci and Mateusz Platos, we will discuss these challenges and the valuable contributions neurodivergent students and staff bring to our institution. We’ll also introduce the Ne�����̨rodiversity Project, which aims to improve awareness, inclusion, and support for neurodivergent members of our community. The project will develop resources, share best practices, and create a dedicated platform to ensure a positive experience for all.

During the Inclusive Education workshop we will be introduced to key concepts of inclusion, exploring how a sense of belonging enhances academic success and well-being, provided by Janine Geerling and Sonja el Yandouzi. This workshop will be divided into two sessions. In the first session Sophie Bots will join Sonja and Janine and will focus on the importance of building an inclusive university educational environment and the importance of equity and diversity in research.

In this interactive workshop, Merel Postma (she/her) and Aukje Molenaar (she/her) will take you through the ‘queer alphabet’. We will discuss the ways in which people differ in terms of attraction, sex, gender and expression. We will brainstorm with the audience about what it is like to be queer at work, what it is like to come out of the closet again and again and how you as a �����̨er can create a pleasant environment for queer colleagues and students. The workshop is interesting for everyone, regardless of your own identity or level of knowledge. The more diverse the audience, the more we can learn from each other!

The transition from college to university is not always so obvious, but did you know that college students can contribute to diversity within university programs in several ways? From various studies, data analysis and using multiple tools, it is now clear why it is important to better reach this group. By actively engaging college students, we can not only broaden their future prospects, but also enrich the diversity and inclusiveness of higher education. 

One student takes you through her personal route to college, describing the challenges and opportunities she has encountered along the way. Her story offers valuable insights into how this route can be made more accessible to a broader group of students so that more college graduates can find their way to college, we complement these with our research findings and provide you with insights into valuable data to explore together how these insights can contribute to a more inclusive and rich educational landscape. This workshop will be in Dutch.

In the second session, we will provide two parallel hands-on workshops showing examples of how to deal with these concepts in your teaching practice.  The workshop Inclusive Teaching, hosted by Sonja, will give the participants some ideas how to make their teaching more inclusive. Through examples and a reflective cycle to recognize, analyze and discuss EDI dilemma’s, participants will gain practical strategies to promote inclusivity in their roles. The workshop ‘Broadening your students’ perspectives’, hosted by Janine, will discuss how you can combine teaching of disciplinary knowledge with reflective assignments. The session will showcase work from the Ba2 course Unravelling Bias in Science, in which using different forms of art as well as interactions with patients, students are challenged to broaden their perspectives on their disciplinary field of studies. There will be room to look into some teaching materials / student products and to experience some of the activities yourself.

Have you always wanted to learn the basics of sign language, like how to sign your name or order a coffee using sign language? Now’s your chance! Join us for an introductory workshop led by Henny Bouw, a deaf instructor, with the support of a translator from Dutch Sign Language (NGT) to English. In this workshop, you'll learn essential signs and phrases to communicate in sign language. After the workshop, you can practice your new skills at our , where you'll have the opportunity to order your coffee using sign language. It’s a fun, interactive way to start learning and using sign language in everyday situations.

Join Queer@�����̨ for a voguing workshop where everyone is welcome to participate and express themselves. The session will offer a fun, supportive space to explore movement and creativity and learn what voguing is all about. The workshop will accommodate different needs to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all. Please let us know if you have any special physical needs.

This summer, a number of small but telling changes were made to the interior of the University Hall. These changes have been made to better reflect the diversity of our community in 2024. This includes the addition of a new photo exhibition, ‘Dimensions of (dis)equality’, in the Belle van Zuylen hall. The exhibition explores what it means to feel welcome through the perspectives and stories of students and staff, offering a visual and narrative journey through the different experiences within our university.

During the festival, you will have the chance to see the exhibition in person and participate in a panel discussion with Andrea Simmelink, one of the colleagues involved in the project who conducted some of the interviews, and one of the interviewees from the exhibition. In this panel discussion, we will explore how to strike a balance between respecting the past while giving space to a diverse reflection of the present; and how to make the university an inclusive one for all.

Stand-Up Comedy with Derek Mitchell (best known by ) : Get ready to laugh out loud with Derek Mitchell, a talented bilingual comedian who seamlessly bridges cultures through humor. Known for his sharp wit and unique comedic style, Derek draws from his diverse experiences to tackle cultural differences, societal norms, and everyday life in a way that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.

In this closing session, Diversity Dean John de Wit and Rector Magnificus Henk Kummeling will present the roadmap for the future of the EDI program within the University. They will discuss the key issues that the university will address to create a more inclusive environment for both students and employees, outlining the long-term strategies that we will take to promote equality, ensure diverse representation, and foster a culture of inclusion throughout Utrecht University.

As the festival draws to a close, we invite you to join us for a special Middle Eastern buffet at the Reception. Enjoy a variety of delicious vegetarian and meat dishes as we come together in celebrating diversity. Let’s raise a glass to "Creating an Inclusive Future, Together" and toast to a more inclusive university for all.