United in Diversity

Brussels, May 2011 Francis Huisman

CNV Onderwijs: an introduction

• Christian Education Union• 53500 members• All educational staff• All levels of education• Merger between Catholic and Protestant union• 65% of the members are women• Male members are older then female members

CNV Onderwijs: an introduction

Red line: women

CNV Onderwijs: an introduction

Main structures: 6 sectors

• Primary Education (61%) • Secondary Education (12%) • Vocational Education ( 5%)• Higher Education ( 2%)• Pensioners (19%) • Educational consultancy ( 1%)

CNV Onderwijs: an introduction

Special groups • School Principles• Education support staff• Special Educational Needs• Agricultural Education• Women• Youth (< 26)• Early retired due to health problems---------------------------------------------------------------• Gay & Lesbian• Cultural minorities

Project Diversity: cooperation between special groups

• Women• Youth (< 26)• Early retired due to health problems• Gay & Lesbian• Cultural minorities

Project for 1 year Standing Committee Network for

members

Diversity Policy: some aims

• Diversity is a lively policy issue within CNV-O• Stop the monocultural debat about integrationpolicy• Stop the obviousness of the mayority• An atmosphere for everyone to feel safe and

comfortable• Coping with differences and diversity with respect,

understanding and knowledge• Diversity enriches society• Diversity is an issue in the policypapers of CNV-O

Project Diversity: activities (1)

• Activities for all forms of diversity and / or for specific target groups

• Activities within the office of CNV-O and / or for members

• Activities for teachers / education staff and / or aimed at improving the quality of education

Project Diversity: activities (2)• Active participation in at least 5 congresses and events:

speeches and workshops• General Assembly May 2010: Break out session • Developing a fysical and a digital knowledge library• Digital Newsletter• Developing a guide for ‘diversityproof’ schoolpolicy and

personnel policy• All structures of CNV-O have a representative in the

Diversity Network• Helping sectors to involve diversity in their activity plans• Participating in national and international events

Diversity: good practices (1)

Regional network-meetings for women• Organised twice a year by a small group of 3

women members; almost selfsupporting• Each year one of them leaves, one new member;• Fixed scenario and programm; list of topics• All female CNV-O members in the region are

invited; they can introduce a collegue• 16:00 – 20:00 with light meal• Most succesfull events for many years

Diversity: good practices (2)

“Role of Social dialogue about the impact of intercultural dialogue in education on the professional development and the working conditions of education personnel”

EZA-seminar ‘Living together in a multicultural school’

www.cnvo.nl/livingtogether

Diversity: good practices (3) Break out session at GA: Tips• Specific training for target groups• A positive approach (enrichment) makes more people feel at

home at the Union• Start the positive approach with young children: respect,

disciplin, etc.• To achieve equality, sometimes you have to make some

more efforts than average• In articles and papers choose examples from minorities; tell

positieve stories about diversity • Focussing on general values of diversity leads to a stronger

impact