Partnership and EDI

Welcome to the 2023 edition of the yearly festival in equity, diversity and inclusion, jointly organised by the University of Amsterdam and the University of Birmingham. We are delighted to bring you this festival as part of our renewed and intensified collaboration, aimed at promoting equity, diversity and inclusion across both universities and beyond. This year's festival promises to be a unique experience, featuring a hybrid format that combines virtual webinars and face-to-face events in Amsterdam and Birmingham. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic world, our commitment to EDI remains steadfast, and we look forward to engaging with you in meaningful conversations and thought-provoking discussions.

Just like in previous years, the Birmingham EDI Student Ambassadors and Amsterdam Cultural Exchange Ambassadors will collaborate to organise this festival, as we come together to celebrate diversity, foster inclusivity, and explore innovative approaches to promoting equity in our communities.

This year’s theme: Urban Changemakers

Mark your calendar! The EDI Festival is a month-long celebration that begins on 4 April 2023. How can Higher Education Institutions, their staff, and their students act as change agents within the environments that surround them? Join us for a series of inspirational events exploring techniques that equip people with skills and ideas for inclusive practice, to transgress the status quo, and contribute to a world where inequalities can be tackled.

Kick-off event for staff: Institutional changemakers

Date: Tuesday 4 April 2023 (event has ended)

Time: 12:00 - 15:00 CET

Location: Roeterseilandcampus, Building C

The first event of the festival, hosted by student ambassadors from both institutions, will commence with the presentation of Anchorette Koolman's artwork. This will be followed by a panel discussion that highlights the accomplishments of our strategic collaboration, and a workshop that showcases how our institutions support societal change. The discussion will explore how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are effecting change in the cities they are situated in, how they promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) on and off-campus, and the potential that can be unlocked through partnership. The audience will have the opportunity to hear from various EDI leaders, who will share their strategies for integrating EDI principles into their communities.

Kick-off event for students:
Building bridges as change ambassadors

Date: Wednesday 5 April 2023 (event has ended)

Time: 14:00 - 15:00 CET

Location: Roeterseilandcampus, Building C

Join us for a quick 1-hour workshop that will kick-off the festival for students. Student ambassadors from Amsterdam and Birmingham are inviting you to come together and engage in an activity that will promote cultural exchange, provoke understanding and create human connection. This is your chance to broaden your horizons, challenge your perspectives, and learn from others who share your passion for positive change. Together, we can build bridges and create a better future for ourselves and our communities.

Interactive art installation: Sense of Belonging

Date: Wednesday 5 April 2023 (event has ended)

Time: 15:00 - 16:00 CET

Location: Roeterseilandcampus, the Hall of Building E

Are you ready to contribute to a powerful art installation and share your thoughts on inclusivity? Please join us for a special event featuring artist Anchorette Koolman and student ambassadors from both institutions. Anchorette will be showcasing her incredible art piece 'Sense of Belonging' in the hall of Building E, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Come down and leave a message on the art piece about what inclusivity means to you, what you wish more people understood about being inclusive, what people can do to make you feel more included, and what is the best example of inclusion you've ever seen. Your contribution will help make this art piece an evolving representation of our community's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Webinar: International accessibility

Date: Monday 17 April 2023 (event has ended)

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 GMT

Time: 11:00 - 12:00 CET

University of Amsterdam and University of Birmingham are both part of the Universitas 21 network (U21). A global network of 28 prestigious research-intensive universities that is taking steps to ensure that disabled students are not left behind in the pursuit of higher education. The first webinar of this year’s EDI Festival will be hosted by student Mohamed El-Hirech, who will interview a panel of experts from three U21 institutions: associate professor Paul Harpur (University of Queensland, Law School), staff member Joyce Koeman (KU Leuven, Diversity Policy), and assistant director Sammy Li (University of Birmingham, Student Affairs). Join this webinar and discover how the institutions in the U21 network are tackling this issue. Learn about best practices in embedding access for disabled students and be inspired to make a change at your organisation. Let's work together towards a more inclusive future for all students.

Webinar: You, the urban changemaker

Date: Monday 24 April 2023 (event has ended)

Time: 15:00 - 16:00 GMT

Time: 16:00 - 17:00 CET

Attention all community members! Are you ready to make a positive change in your community? If so, then please watch this webinar hosted by student ambassador Subomi Ige. This is your chance to hear from the following expert panellists about the practical skills, techniques and practices you can use to become an Urban Changemaker. Programme director Mirjam Schieveld (University of Amsterdam, Graduate School of Social Sciences), will share how the new summer course ‘Urban Changemakers’ was designed. Liaison officer Abigail Tjhay (University of Amsterdam, International Student Affairs), will explain how the Digipass project was implemented. Manager global student experience & engagement Guido de Wilde (University of Amsterdam, International Student Affairs), explains how he was involved in the Cultural Exchange Ambassador Programme and TICKET project. Partnership and engagement manager Peter Collins (University of Birmingham, Student Affairs), shares how he is building an online learning resource on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for students. And last but not least, master’s student neuroscience & AI, Eline Troquay (University of Amsterdam), will explain what she learned from being a student ambassador and how it helped her in her work as a human machine interaction engineer for project MARCH. Let's work together to build a more equal, diverse, and inclusive world. Join us as we close this year's EDI festival and take the first step towards creating real change in our community.