Newsletter #11

We are delighted to share the full programme for this year’s conference. We are particularly looking forward to the opening keynote by steering group member Prof. Dr Saniye Çelik, who will explore how leadership, inclusion and organisational culture shape whether people feel safe to speak up and discuss differences openly. Drawing on insights from the Inclusion Scan, she will demonstrate how organisations can actively foster social safety.

The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion. We are delighted to welcome National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism Rabin S. Baldewsingh, Government Commissioner for Sexually Transgressive Behaviour and Sexual Violence Mariëtte Hamer, and Minister of Education, Culture and Science Rianne Letschert. Together, they will engage in a conversation with one another and with the audience.

Following this inspiring opening session, participants can look forward to a full afternoon programme. The programme begins with an information market, where participants can learn more about a range of projects, followed by a choice of five interactive workshops.

The conference is now fully booked. However, registration for the waiting list remains open. Based on previous editions, we know that places often become available in the weeks leading up to the conference due to cancellations, allowing us to invite people from the waiting list. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that this will also be the case this year.

As in previous years, the conference will take place at the Prodentfabriek in Amersfoort on 5 October, from 13:00 to 17:30.

As of 1 July, Sam de Jong will join the Steering Group as its new Programme Secretary. Sam currently serves as the student representative on the Steering Group and is completing his term as a board member of the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO), the largest representative organisation for students in Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences.

Through his work in student participation and with the trade union in Delft, Sam has already been actively involved in the important topic of social safety. He has considered it a privilege to contribute to the Steering Group’s work and looks forward to continuing his commitment to the programme in his new role as Programme Secretary.

On 22 June, the Steering Group organised a network meeting at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Deventer. During the session, the programme team provided an update on the current projects and introduced the initiatives planned for the coming period. Participants also shared valuable ideas and feedback on potential projects and activities that the Steering Group could take forward in 2027.

Saxion also reflected on its experience with the grant scheme and presented the project for which it received funding.

The meeting proved to be highly inspiring. It provided an excellent opportunity to hear about the work participants are undertaking to promote social safety within their own organisations, as well as their views on the Steering Group’s activities. Participants also expressed a clear interest in more opportunities to connect, both through in-person and online network meetings. The programme team will take this forward, and we will share more information in the next newsletter.