The Service for Equality and Diversity participates in the 8th Meeting of the Network of Universities for Diversity (RUD) held at the University of Alcalá
The biannual meeting that brings together the diversity units of more than 44 Spanish universities was held on May 21 and 22 in the International Conference Room of the University of Alcalá (UAH). The event, framed in the European Month of Diversity and in commemoration of the International Day against LGBTIQ+ phobia, has been held this year under the slogan "Advancing university inclusion plans".
The focus of the conference was article 46.2.l of the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU), which obliges universities to define and promote inclusion and non-discrimination plans that go beyond reactive protocols and that understand diversity as an institutional asset. In this sense, during the two days the participating universities have worked together on the preparation of a basic guide on inclusion plans that can later be presented to the universities and the CRUE.
Francisco López, director of the Diversity Care Unit (UAD) of the UAH, underlined the importance of these shared spaces:
"It is essential that universities have common spaces for reflection and work on diversity and inclusion, because these environments allow the exchange of experiences between different institutions."
Over the two days, the UAB's Equality and Diversity Service has been able to participate in conferences and working groups that have addressed key issues such as active listening as a tool for good treatment, ethnic and national diversity, religious freedom or discrimination based on HIV status. Among the challenges highlighted throughout the meeting are the progressive development and implementation of inclusion plans for all Spanish universities, the standardisation of attention to diversity in all areas of university life and comprehensive attention from all perspectives. The meeting concluded with the exhibition "Books and Cinema for Diversity", installed at the CRAI entrance of the UAH, which offers a selection of books and films on affective-sexual and gender diversity.
Sharing learning with the rest of the RUD units allows the Equality and Diversity Service to incorporate good practices from other universities and contribute, in turn, with its own experience in the collective construction of a university model that is more equitable and respectful of all the people who make it up.