News item | 13-10-2022 | 15:48
There should be no room for discrimination and racism in the education, culture, media and science sectors. Yet this is the order of the day. In words and deeds. Seen and unseen. That is why ministers Dijkgraaf, Wiersma and State Secretary Uslu have come up with an approach to combat (institutional) exclusion in these sectors. This describes how they view the approach to discrimination in education, the culture and media sector and in science, in collaboration with these sectors.
“There is nothing more frustrating and discouraging than systematic injustice and discrimination. But also: nothing so uplifting and encouraging as a moment when society collectively turns a page.” – Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science
The importance is great: at school you learn to interact with each other. An exhibition, book or performance asks you to look at yourself, or to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Science brings us the insights that enable positive and collective progress. These policy areas also have a great exemplary function: diversity is immediately visible in the classroom, on TV or in the programming of a cultural institution. Or painfully absent. While the importance of representation and ‘being seen’ is beyond dispute.
“History shows us that art and its makers give shape, content and color to our future. With this they present new ideas to many people.” – Gunay Uslu, State Secretary for Culture and Media
Approach
The ambition is to offer an inclusive and equal offer. Every Dutch person must be able to identify with teaching and study materials, exhibitions, media and archives. Fair opportunities are also supported: low expectations and under-advising in primary school and internship discrimination in secondary and higher vocational education should not occur. In addition, it is important that institutions in education, the culture and media sector and science create an inclusive organizational culture as employers. Where there is no discrimination, racism and other forms of exclusion and where inclusion and equality are the norm.
“ You develop at school and you discover who you are. You also learn to participate in society. In fact, the school is the place where you can become who you are. There you must be able to be yourself unconditionally. This only works if children, but certainly also teachers and parents, feel free and safe at school.” – Dennis Wiersma, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education
Documents
This statement against discrimination and racism explains how the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science will combat discrimination and racism over the next four years and how inclusion and equality will be promoted.
National Program NCDR
The National Program of the NCDR was published on September 19, 2022. This National Program contains the government’s plans to combat discrimination and racism. The OCW agenda against discrimination and racism contains the ambitions of its three ministers and thus gives substance to the National Program in its own policy areas. In the coming years, OCW, together with other ministries, will seek cooperation with the NCDR on important themes such as internship discrimination. In the coming years, each ministry will implement this task in its own way.