Recently, there has been criticism of the programme and specifically some of the invited speakers. We take this criticism seriously as diversity and inclusion are closely linked to the identity and core values of VU. At the same time, it is the role of a university to serve as a platform for academic debate and dialogue, bringing together different perspectives from a scientific standpoint.
Speakers and perspectives
The conference will include speakers who are critical of the so-called Dutch Protocol as well as advocates for it, including representatives from the gender clinics of Amsterdam UMC and Radboud University Nijmegen. Together, they offer a wide range of insights. The aim of the conference is to highlight various perspectives and share experiences from other countries so that we can critically evaluate and improve our approaches. The majority of the conference audience will consist of professionals in gender care, well-equipped to form their own judgments and engage critically in discussions.
Chatham House Rule
To promote an free and honest dialogue, the conference will adhere to the Chatham House Rule. The Chatham House Rule aims to promote public discussion of viewpoints during a meeting and allows participants to speak freely without their comments being directly quoted later. This is intended to create a safe environment where perspectives and experiences related to this topic can be freely shared during the conference.
Enhancement through diversity
We acknowledge that the topic of this conference evokes emotions. At VU Amsterdam, we advocate for an inclusive and scientifically grounded approach to debate. We strongly believe that contentious debate is essential for progress. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to enhance the quality of the discussion. Diverse insights and ideas can lead to improvements, particularly in issues concerning gender care and top-quality gender care.
Invitation to stakeholder organisations
During this conference on transgender care, we aim to provide a platform for diverse voices to be heard, while respecting scientific integrity and the rights of the transgender community. We have invited various Dutch advocacy groups to participate, including Transvisie and Transgender Netwerk Nederland. Although Transvisie has chosen not to participate as a speaker, representatives of this organisation are welcome to join the discussions during the conference.
For further enquiries, please contact pers@vu.nl.