DIVERSITY
The freedom to be yourself
The progress pride flag flew from the University buildings on Coming Out Day (11 October). This was the initiative of the LGBT+ Network.
We believe that in our academic community you should be free to be yourself. Inclusion and diversity are core values for the University, and these are promoted and monitored by our Diversity Officer and Diversity Office. Our LGBT+ Network and other networks also play an important role at the University.
DIFFERENCES ARE A MAJOR ASSET
Our university community is diverse in many ways. We differ from one another in our ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age, socio-economic background and more. This is a major asset. We want our University to be an open community in which everyone feels at home and has equal opportunities. This is not always a given, which is why the University pursues an active diversity policy.
DIVERSITY OFFICER
Leiden University was the first Dutch university to appoint a Diversity Officer, in 2014. Our current Diversity
Officer, Aya Ezawa, and the Diversity Office promote an open community with equal opportunities for all. Sharing their expertise with the faculties, offering training for students and staff and holding an annual Diversity Symposium for students are some of the ways by which they achieve this.
LGBT+ NETWORK
The University’s LGBT+ Network helps everyone feel welcome and at home in the University community. It is a platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer students and staff at the University. The key aim of the LGBT+ Network is to promote the inclusion of its target group, but everyone – students, staff
and alumni – is welcome at its events, such as lectures, film evenings, debates and so on.
WOMEN’S NETWORK
The Sophia Women’s Network aims to create equal opportunities and a better working environment for female academic staff at Leiden University. The University is aiming for more women in senior positions. Thanks to an active policy the number of female professors at the University has risen to almost 30 percent.
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY CORPORATE MAGAZINE 2021
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