A Place for Differences

Our mission

The UvA should be a place where we learn from one another, especially when our opinions clash. A Place for Differences gives students the tools to start conversations in a way that reduces polarisation, both at the university and beyond. In doing so, we contribute to a tolerant and democratic society and step out of the trenches of our own rightness.

Practise engaging in dialogue

During a dialogue evening, we create space for different opinions, feelings and identities. The aim is not to convince the other person or to reach agreement, but to understand where the other person is coming from.

This is what an evening with us looks like:

• We experiment with inspiring dialogue formats, in small groups, in a safe conversation setting.
• Alongside this, a free dinner offers plenty of opportunity to connect informally with your fellow students.

Organisers

We are Maureen and Tonko, Bachelor’s students of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. In the course Bridges not Walls: Dialogue in Times of PolarisationExternal link, we learned what the key elements are for conducting and facilitating dialogue. We've taken over the organisation from former assessor Willem Volker and are reshaping A Place for Differences in our own way.

You can contact us at maureen.deiman@student.uva.nl or tonko.boer@student.uva.nl.