Making Utrecht Science Park (USP) more inclusive and accessible, that is what Network USP Inclusive stands for. An employee network by and for employees with a (work) disability or (psychological) vulnerability at USP. Not only Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht subscribe to this interest, Hogeschool Utrecht also joined on 25 August 2022. But what does this network actually do? Watch the video and discover what the network can do for you!
Since the network launch meeting external link in November 2021, the network has been off to a flying start. Network leader Lisa Luchtenberg (UU) explains: “Recently there was contact with Elena Valbusa (Diversity Officer) and Henny van der Neut (Project Leader Diversity and Inclusion HR) from Hogeschool Utrecht about a collaboration in the network. We see that various employees of Hogeschool Utrecht have become members of the network in the past six months and we expect to meet a need by taking this step. In addition, we strengthen the visibility of employees in the various organizations through the collaboration. In this way, more and more awareness is being created and we are striving to make (the organizations at) Utrecht Science Park more inclusive and accessible step by step.” Henny van der Neut: “It is nice and actually self-evident that we work together with the institutions in the USP on this theme, inspire each other and learn from each other.”
On Thursday 25 August, during an informal moment (see photo), Elena Valbusa, Kai Bhawanibhiek (Advisor Diversity and Inclusion, UMC Utrecht) and Janneke Plantenga (Diversity Dean, Utrecht University) jointly expressed that they endorse and want to achieve the goals of the network. One of these goals is to make prejudices open to discussion and thereby to increase support for employees with a (work) disability or (psychological) vulnerability. This is why on 3 November, the theme meeting ‘Psyche and the workplace; looking for an inclusive diagnosis-free approach external link‘ takes place where Jim van Os external link (UMC Utrecht) and Joep Binkhorst external link (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences) speak. In addition, agreements have been made about actively contributing to the exchange of knowledge and experience in order to increase the integration and inclusion of employees with a (work) disability or (mental) vulnerability in the Utrecht Science Park. After this informal moment, there was a drink with the core team, the fans and a number of other closely involved relations of the network.
Join the network!
Network USP Inclusive is for everyone: employees who themselves are dealing with a (work) restriction or (psychological) vulnerability and interested parties such as colleagues, managers and professionals. Network leader Eveline Slappendel (UMC Utrecht): “We offer a safe environment for activities concerning personal and professional development. Recognition and acknowledgement are central to this. We also have a community in Teams where you can exchange experiences, make contact with each other in an accessible way, ask questions, and of course be the first to see all our activities.” Become a member!
f.l.t.r. In the back: John Smulders, Harriet Rempe, Henny van der Neut, Janneke Plantenga, Elena Valbusa, Eveline Slappendel, Lisa Luchtenberg. In the front: Mélisa van der Elst, Marileen Reinders, Kai Bhawanibhiek
Did you find this interesting? Check out what else the Network D&I has to offer via current.
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