“Hope & Accelerate Action”
“Reasons for Hope” is 2025/2026 theme of the VU. As was mentioned at the opening of the Academic year: “VU Amsterdam is not just a small-scale society; it is also a place where hope comes alive”. Let’s embrace change by working together and listening to different viewpoints. Sometimes you learn more from listening than from speaking. Collaborate and reach out to others. Let your principle guide you and be ready to make compromises, to obtain influence and be part of the change. In other words: “Is the world changing you or are you changing the world?”
“Accelerate Action” is theme of International Women’s Day 2025 and is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women's advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation. Significant barriers to gender equality remain, yet with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere. Gloria Steinem, world’s renowned feminist, journalist and activist reportedly once explained;” The story of women’s struggle belongs to no single woman nor to any organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”
This day is open to everyone, regardless of gender, and we welcome you to bring your fellow students and colleagues.
Programme
12:00 Lunch
12:35 Introduction of the day and participating groups
12:45 Interacting talk/discussion with contributions from
- Margrethe Jonkman - Chair of the VU board
- Alette Kraneveld – Dean of the Science Faculty
- Gregor Halff – Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
- Renée Andrée Koornstra, Director of HRM VU.
We will hear their perspectives on the current situation regarding achievement of women at the VU in light of steering the organisation towards gender equality. The participants will reflect and discuss with the audience about “Men’s Stronghold “ at the VU and what this means for students and employees.
13:45 Entertainment
14:15 Workshop/Training
“Bystander intervention” - How do you make sure that you can intervene when you see harassment happening?
15:45 Conclusion & Drinks
16:30 End
Come and join the celebration, discussions, entertainment, and /or the workshop by sending an email to: women@vu.nl