The article on Volkskrant explores the impact of Dutch colonialism on society. It covers the transatlantic slave trade, exploitation of resources in the Dutch East Indies, and the debate over how the Netherlands should acknowledge its colonial past. Interviews with historians, activists, and descendants are included.
From January to April 2021, we encouraged staff and students at FASoS to send us their poems, pictures and artwork through the FASoS poetry, picture and art contest. These creative outings were shared in the internal newsletter, the FASoS weekly, over those months.
We have compiled all beautiful poems, artwork and pictures we received in two booklets (also available in print):
D&I Education and Social Safety
Are you looking for tools and/or workshops regarding diversity and inclusivity matters? If so, this is the page for you!
Below you can find a variety of tools and workshops, from various platforms, which guide and enable you to become a better ally.
Do you have any additional resources that provide tools or organise workshops? Then please share those with us via email.
YUFE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity online course
All UM staff and students have the opportunity to take a free online course created by Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE).
The course delves into critical topics such as harassment, bullying, and microaggressions, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to address these issues head-on. Going a step further, the course aims to empower you to be an "upstander," someone who actively stands against discrimination, and to tackle unconscious biases.
To access the course, please follow these instructions:
✅ Register with 'Open Essex’: https://open.essex.ac.uk , the online platform this course is hosted on. Select ‘Create new account’ at the bottom of the page.
✅ Confirm your account by clicking the link in the email. If you run into issues, please email: tel@essex.ac.uk.
✅ Log into Open Essex
✅ Search for a course titled "YUFE Equity, diversity, and inclusivity (ED&I) and press ‘Enrol now’.
✅ Enrol into the course using your account details via the following link: https://open.essex.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=341
*The course takes approximately two hours to complete."
UM Pride Ally Training
A workshop on how to become a better ally for the LGBTQIA+ community
Would you like to know how to better support the LGBTQIA+ community? Are you unfamiliar and unsure about terminology? Do you want to know how to make your language gender-inclusive? Do you want to learn about the queer community, but don't know where to start? Come join our workshop on how to be an LGBTQIA+ ally!
During this training, you will learn more about gender, sex assigned at birth, and sexuality. We will also discuss pronoun usage and apply this knowledge in practice. This is the time for you to learn, and we are always happy to answer any and all questions you have. We are here to address the things that you wouldn't feel comfortable asking in other situations.
It is also possible to request a training for your team or department. If you're interested in a training specifically for your department, please email: allytraining-bu@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Check out the Ally Training Booklet
Download here
Tools
| NL/EN | Source | Topic | Medium | Tags |
| NL/EN | International Campaign Stand Up Against Street Harassment By L’Oréal; Fairspace; iHollaback | Multilingual Training Tool on Street Harassment from Bystander & Victim perspective EN: Stand Up - Against street harassment | Website | Educational Training Tool; Street Harassment |
| EN | Bystander Guide & Free Bystander Intervention Trainings By iHollaback, 2005 | Learn how to intervene when you see harassment. Distract, Delegate, Document and Direct (5D method). Separate and free online trainings provided for each theme. | Guide | Educational Training; Harassment; Racism; Conflict; Covid-19; Ableism; Discrimination |
| EN | Project Implicit By Harvard University | Self testing tool on implicit bias regarding
| Tool | Educational Self-testing; Unconscious/Implicit Bias; Self Assessment/Reflection; |
| EN | Background article: Sexual harassment is common in scientific fieldwork |
| Tool | Educational Training Tool; Field Research Safety; |
| EN | Racial Equity Tools By MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services, October 2021 | Glossary providing useful information about a variety of terms related to racial equity. | Tool | Glossary; Racism |
| NL | Can You Fix It? By Sense; Rutgers; SOAIDS Nederland | Training videos with built in intervention modes that adapt the narrative & perspective. | Video | Intervention Training tool; Educational; Self Reflective |
| NL | Toolkit "Ben je OK?" By Rutgers | Toolkit tegen ongewenst seksueel gedrag bij studentenverenigingen:
| Tool | Educational Self Assessment/Reflection; Sexual Harassment |
| NL | NWO richtlijnen voor Inclusief Beoordelen Inclusief beoordelen | NWO | Tips voor inclusieve beoordelingscriteria en –methoden i.r.t.
| Tool | Inclusive assessment methods
|
| NL/EN | Leadership and Undesirable Behavior Training for UM Formal Managers and Employees By Van Oss en Partners. | Multilingual Training Tool on Leadership and Undesirable Behavior Training for Social Safety through e-learning combined with a workshop. The e-learning consists of questions about knowledge and dilemmas provided by videos, animations, sound fragments or text. Trainees are provided with the essentials of what they need to know about undesirable behavior, policy, their tasks, responsibilities and instruments, as well as the role of the confidential counselor. Sociale Veiligheid - verplichte training voor formeel leidinggevenden (maastrichtuniversity.nl) NL: Leiderschap en ongewenste omgangsvormen EN: Leadership and undesirable behaviour | Tool | Social Safety Training Tool; Leadership; Undesired Behavior |
Workshops
| NL/EN | Source | Topic | Medium | Tags |
| NL/EN |
In person or online workshops/trainings to build free and fair public spaces. Focuses on three areas: Education, Co-creation and Policy advice. |
|
Workshop |
Bystander Intervention; Education; Co-creation; Policy Advice; Street Harassment; Unconscious Bias |
| EN |
Workshops for male participants |
Workshop | Consent; Male-focused; Bystander Intervention | |
| NL |
Project #DatMeenJeNiet |
Van Bystander naar Upstander
|
Workshop |
Educational Training; Social Media; Online Discrimination/Bullying |
| NL |
Online Training: Weet jij hoe het écht gaat met je leerlingen? |
Beoogde resultaten:
|
Training |
Educational Training Tool for Professional Teaching Staff; Recognition; Mental Health; Suicide Prevention; Depression; LBGTQ+; Self Reflection/Assessment |
D&I Education and Social Safety
Are you looking for resources or/and inspiration regarding diversity and inclusivity? This is the page for you!
Below you can find a variety of information, from reports to books, to films that explain D&I topics either in an intersectional or in a specific way.
Have you got a resource that we've missed? Then please email us your resource(s) and we will add them to our list.
Dutch Colonial History
Our colonial past in fifty objects by Volkskrant
Mapping Slavery (a project by VU Amsterdam)
The website provides information and resources related to the history of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies. The website includes maps, images, documents, and other materials that illustrate the connections between slavery, colonialism, and Dutch society.
Dutch Slavery Memorial Year
- Slavery Memorial Year by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in the Netherlands
- Keti Koti at the Bonnefanten museum
- Keti Koti Lecture 2023 - Broken Silence (organised by Tropenmuseum)
- 1 July National Commemoration - NiNsee
- Keti Koti Junior by the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee)
- Rijksmuseum - Slavery
We will continue to update and expand our list of resources. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact us at diversity@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Recommended Documentaries
13th
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.
Disclosure
Examining Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact it's left on both the transgender community and American culture.
I Am Not Your Negro
Filmmaker Raoul Peck examines James Baldwin's unfinished book about the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
A groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities proves so inspiring that a group of its alumni join the radical disability rights movement to advocate for historic legislation changes.
Literature on racism and anti-racism
White Innocence: Paradoxes of Colonialism and Race by Gloria Wekker
The book explores a central paradox of Dutch culture: the passionate denial of racial discrimination and colonial violence coexisting alongside aggressive racism and xenophobia. Wekker fundamentally challenges Dutch racial exceptionalism by undermining the dominant narrative of the Netherlands as a "gentle" and "ethical" nation.
Racism and anti-racism in Europe by Alana Lentin
This is an in-depth sociological study of the phenomenon of anti-racism, as both political discourse and social movement practice in western Europe.
White Privilege by M T Blakemore
White Privilege examines the historical forces that have disadvantaged people of color and discusses how these forces continue to influence the media, education, politics, and other areas of life today.
Tools for Inclusive Research
Gender terms; Inclusive language
Gender Inclusive Language Guide by the D&I office
Anti-racism; Language
Anti-racist Glossary by MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services
Anti-racist Glossary by MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services
Anti-racism; Language
Citation: Anti-racist Glossary by MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services, October 2021
Medium: Glossary
Universally agreed upon language on issues relating to racism is nonexistent. Even the most frequently used words in any discussion on race can easily cause confusion, which leads to controversy and hostility. It is essential to achieve some degree of shared understanding, particularly when using the most common terms. This glossary provides definitions of commonly used words in discussions about race.
Anti-racist Language
Inclusieve taal
Incomplete stijlgids van Women Inc. [in Dutch]
Incomplete stijlgids van Women Inc. [in Dutch]
Inclusieve taal
Medium: Stijlgids
Met deze incomplete stijlgids laat WOMEN Inc. zien hoe (beeld)taal gendergelijkwaardig en inclusief kan zijn. Het is belangrijk om te onthouden dat dit een ‘levend document’ is dat continu aan verandering onderhevig is. Medewerkers en gebruikers worden niet geacht de stijlgids als een wetboek te volgen, maar deze eerder als wegwijzer te gebruiken om op een biasbewuste manier te communiceren.
inclusieve taal
Inclusive research
Cite Black Women Collective (2017)
Cite Black Women Collective (2017)
Inclusive research
Main idea: motivate everyone, but particularly academics, to critically reflect on their everyday practices of citation and start to consciously question how they can incorporate black women into the CORE of their work.
Inclusive research
Educatief; Reflectieve Tool (in organisatorische context)
Blog over Datacollectie & Diversiteit, kleurenbewust meten van ECHO [in Dutch]
Blog over Datacollectie & Diversiteit, kleurenbewust meten van ECHO [in Dutch]
Educatief; Reflectieve Tool (in organisatorische context)
Medium: Artikel
Geeft 5 overwegingen mee om diversiteit binnen organisatie te kunnen meten buiten de terminologie “westers” en “niet-westers”.
Educatief; Reflectieve Tool (in organisatorische context); Diversiteit gegevensverzameling
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Gender terms; Inclusive languageGender Inclusive Language Guide by the D&I office
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Anti-racism; LanguageAnti-racist Glossary by MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services
-
Inclusieve taalIncomplete stijlgids van Women Inc. [in Dutch]
-
Inclusive researchCite Black Women Collective (2017)
-
Educatief; Reflectieve Tool (in organisatorische context)Blog over Datacollectie & Diversiteit, kleurenbewust meten van ECHO [in Dutch]
Inclusive Policy-related resources
Scientific Sabotage
Report Harassment in Dutch Academia By Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH) Published 6 May 2019
Racism; Non-violent Approaches
UNU-MERIT "Black Voices Matter" Series By Young African Thought-Leaders
UNU-MERIT "Black Voices Matter" Series By Young African Thought-Leaders
Racism; Non-violent Approaches
Inspired by the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, this new series is the product of an international team from UNU-MERIT that first came together in the summer of 2020. It aims to provide a substantial and accessible platform in the fight against racism. articulated by young African throughout-leaders who put a premium on robust debate and other non-violent approaches. #blacklivesmatter #whiteforblack
Racism; Non-violent Approaches
Decolonizing
Association of Black Anthropologists (1970)
Association of Black Anthropologists (1970)
Decolonizing
ABA’s objective is to analyse and critique social science theories that misrepresent the reality of exploited groups while at the same time construct more adequate theories to interpret the dynamics of oppression.
Inclusive research; Decolonizing
Inclusive recruitment
Inclusive Vacancy Text Guide
Inclusive Vacancy Text Guide
Inclusive recruitment
The recruitment and selection process consists of many steps and the job posting is only one of them. With this guide, we aim to lend a hand in improving vacancy texts so that more people are attracted to UM as an employer and consider applying.
inclusive recruitment
Medical Bias
Six Ways To Get A Grip by Calling- Out Racism and Enacting Allyship in Medical Education
Six Ways To Get A Grip by Calling- Out Racism and Enacting Allyship in Medical Education
Medical Bias
Canadian Medical Education Journal Article: Six Ways To Get A Grip by Calling- Out Racism and Enacting Allyship in Medical Education Sonnenberg et al. Published on 15 May 2021
Medium: Academic Paper
Topic: This recently published paper on calling out racism and enacting allyship in medical education. It is an easy read with six practical hand-on tips on how to promote equity and allyship; Be, Know, Feel, Do, Promote and Act.
Medical Bias, Discrimination, Racism
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Scientific SabotageReport Harassment in Dutch Academia By Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH) Published 6 May 2019
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Racism; Non-violent ApproachesUNU-MERIT "Black Voices Matter" Series By Young African Thought-Leaders
-
DecolonizingAssociation of Black Anthropologists (1970)
-
Inclusive recruitmentInclusive Vacancy Text Guide
-
Medical BiasSix Ways To Get A Grip by Calling- Out Racism and Enacting Allyship in Medical Education
Inspiration
Coming soon, you will find our new D&I Blog on this section of the page.
Would you like to submit an article for us to publish? Then please email us your piece, preferably in English and Dutch, alongside an illustration.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity+ Office
At the DEI+ Office, we aim to foster a truly inclusive UM community by embracing diversity and encouraging all members to take an active role in creating positive change. This page offers educational resources to support our community members in building a more equitable and inclusive environment.
If you have well-balanced and useful resources to share, please send them to us at diversity@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Sex and Gender: What, Why, and How?
This video, created by UM Pride, explains the difference between sex and gender, why this difference matters and how to incorporate this into research.
"Gender identity can be very personal, and everyone can have their own interpretation of their gender identity."
- from the video
Follow UM Pride on Instagram to stay updated on its LGBTQIA+ activities and initiatives
Resources & inspiration
Want to learn more about DEI-related topics or get inspired by fellow UM community members? Explore this page for a diverse collection of resources and insights.
Tools & workshops
Having the right tools to address certain topics is crucial. This is why we have collected a selection for you on this page, as well as highlighting some interesting workshops that can help broaden your knowledge, allyship, and prepare you to holistically engage with diversity and inclusivity matters within your organisation.
Would you like to start meaningful conversations about DEI but are not sure how or where to begin? Check out our Moving Conversations Toolkit!
Inclusive language
Our world is always evolving, and so are languages and language use. With new knowledge and inclusion of marginalised groups, our language use adapts. UM embraces language use that addresses everyone in general communication and that addresses individuals in a way that makes them feel seen and respected.
Inclusive language at UM
Inclusive vacancies guide
It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden passing of Roy Fransen at the age of 38, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
Roy enjoyed working in the laboratory at the Central Biobank MUMC+ and grew in his role as a laboratory technician. He was very happy to have gotten a permanent position and he foresaw a bright future. The Biobank's laboratory was his domain and he took on more and more responsibilities. Training students and new employees in the techniques and familiarising them with all the tasks of the Biobank gave him great pleasure. He was proud when they could perform the actions independently.
Roy was part of the team and felt at home at the Biobank. We will never forget that Roy used to have breakfast with Red Bull and biscuits. His love for ‘cuddly animals’ such as the Quokka and Lamas was fascinating. So was his wish to have a penguin act as the mascot of the Biobank. Together we were working on a promotional film about the Biobank, but with Roy's vivid imagination this slowly became a thriller/action movie at cinema level.
We enjoyed Roy's adventures and photos. His experiences with Obstacle runs as well as his stories of his adventures with cycling, climbing and vacations were greatly appreciated. Unfortunately we have not been able to hear his last stories about the trip to Denmark with his brother. Roy still wanted to travel a lot and had many plans for the future, unfortunately they will not come true.
Roy will be missed greatly and our thoughts are with his family and friends. We wish them a lot of strength.
On behalf of the colleagues of the Central Biobank MUMC+
On July 9, completely unexpectedly, on his 20th birthday Nathan Van Genechten passed away.
Nathan studied Economics and Business Economics at Maastricht University. He started his studies in 2019. Friends and family share that Nathan radiated the joy of life to everyone around him with his smile, his laughter, the funny anecdotes, his energy and just his presence. With freedom and equity as his core values, he was gentle, caring and thoughtful towards others, present when he needed. He enjoyed practicing sports and he was happy to be able to do so in the university facilities.
“Twenty-one”, as he was called after his favourite number, was unique. People that crossed paths with him felt that they found a friend, a sibling and companion and consider themselves lucky and proud for getting to know him.
It is difficult to understand that through a tragic car accident his life ended; He was so much looking forward to a new academic year and to resuming the student life, he liked so much. A big loss for his family, friends and the community of the School of Business and Economics.
We remember him with great respect and we can only be proud that he was one of our students.
Students, especially those who were close to Nathan, may feel the need for support to deal with his demise. The student advisors at the School of Business and Economics as well as the Psychologists at Maastricht University will be there for you if you need them. Feel free to contact either Evangelia Ipektzidou (e.ipektzidou@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Wim Bogaert (w.bogaert@maastrichtuniversity.nl ), or the secretariat of student guidance at the Student Services Centre (SSC) by email . You can also contact the Student Chaplaincy, Innbetween, for support (info@innbetween.nl).
The Boundary Tool for multi-stakeholder sustainable business model innovation
Sustainable business model innovation cannot reach its full sustainability potential if it neglects the importance of multi-stakeholder alignment. But how can organizations engage with their stakeholders to innovate their own business model in conjunction with the business models of these stakeholders? The Boundary Tool is a process tool that helps businesses engage in multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable business model innovation by focusing on complementarities and mismatches in stakeholders’ identities, relations, competences and activities. The final process tool consists of five steps to facilitate multi-stakeholder alignment for sustainable business model innovation:
(1) defining a collective ambition,
(2) mapping and negotiating the changing organizational boundaries,
(3) exploring opportunities and tensions for aligning stakeholders,
(4) defining first interventions, and
(5) developing a collaboration pitch.
The tool stimulates joint learning and organizing for the development and implementation of sustainable, circular business model innovations.
This tool was developed by Myrthe Velter as part of her PhD research.
At UM we strongly believe that working together makes us stronger. When we join forces, we learn from each other and come to a more multifaceted solution. Solutions that benefit the world around us. Sustainable UM2030 has worked on several projects. Below you will find some examples.
Measuring UM’s Impact: Emission Accounting and Material Flow Analysis
The UM Sustainability Roadmap 2030 outlines the ambitious goals we aim to achieve. But to chart a path toward these goals, we first need to understand where we currently stand.
That’s why one of the first priorities of the Sustainability Office is to collect and analyse data on UM’s current sustainability performance.
Community Garden
The UM Community Garden has become a thriving green space on campus, now managed by a collective of over 60 active student members. More than just a place to grow vegetables and herbs, the garden serves as a learning environment where students exchange knowledge about self-sufficiency, permaculture, and biodiversity. Workshops, harvest days and seasonal events bring students together around themes of food, health and sustainability. The garden also promotes mental wellbeing, by offering students a peaceful and hands-on escape from academic life. It’s a living example of sustainability in action, rooted in community.
Swap Room
Located in the Sustainability Hub, the Swap Room offers students a place to exchange clothing and accessories—completely free of charge. With more than 1,000 clothing items swapped so far, the room brings the principles of circularity to life in a fun and accessible way. It encourages conscious consumption and helps reduce textile waste, one of the most polluting industries globally. The Swap Room is run by student volunteers and regularly hosts themed events and has become a vibrant part of UM’s campus sustainability culture.
Bike Repair Shop
UM’s student-led bike repair shop supports sustainable mobility by keeping bikes on the road and out of the waste stream. Over 100 bikes have already been repaired, often for free or at very low cost. Students learn hands-on repair skills, promoting a DIY ethos and increasing access to sustainable transport. The initiative contributes to a cycling-friendly campus and reduces reliance on car or public transport. It also fosters community-building and student empowerment through skill-sharing and peer support. The shop is integrated into the wider goals of promoting low-carbon living at UM.
Sustainable Events Initiative
UM is working to make all university events more sustainable by developing clear guidelines and support for event organisers. This includes criteria for catering, waste management, travel, materials and inclusivity. The goal is to ensure that sustainability is considered from the earliest planning stages, without compromising the quality or accessibility of events. By embedding sustainability into events, UM not only will reduce its footprint but also raises visibility and awareness in a highly practical way. We want to focus on big events first and therefore, we will first inventory the number of events with more than 100 participants taking place at the UM. This inventory should be completed by the end of 2025, after which we can determine guidelines and measures to make those events more sustainable.
Library of Things
Reducing excess and keeping resources in circulation is key to circularity, that is why we created the Library of Things. Located in the sustainability hub, this space is filled with a wide variety of items that can be borrowed and returned, just like books in a library. The shelves are stocked with everything from chairs to tennis rackets to a keyboard. By making these resources available to students and student organisations, the Library of Things, helps reduce unnecessary purchases and fosters a community of sharing.
Break up your sitting time at work: it's time for a fun energiser!
UM SPORTS offers super fun Health & Fitness breaks that will interrupt your working day in an enjoyable way. A Health & Fitness session is an approachable active or relaxing 15-minute break for anyone ready for an energiser.
You do a Health & Fitness session in your everyday clothes: sportswear is not necessary.
Health & Fitness on demand: Book us!
Are you organising a symposium, special meeting, team day or workshop and are you looking for an active break or way to start your event? Book a Health & Fitness or Health & Relax session on demand!
Send us an e-mail with no obligation and discover all the possibilities.
UM SPORTS' Health & Fitness sessions are for everyone (regardless of organisation or company) and are provided by us at almost any location.
