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Pierre Saudubray

A Celebration of Diversity: An Ode to Inclusion

Updated: Jun 24

The First Years Committee is the ultimate companion to new students, as they help you settle into the first year of IRO with events covering academics and other aspects of student life. See how they celebrate diversity in their activities in this ode to inclusion – a perfect illustration of why we, CIROS, embrace our community’s differences.


We, members of the First Years Committee, strive to embrace our differences, celebrate our uniqueness, and learn from the variety of identities that compose our group. We firmly believe in the recognition of each person’s particularities, in the tolerance of all, and the appreciation of a multifaceted conception of society. Emancipation, inclusion, resilience, open-mindedness, dignity, and fairness are all values we hold dear, and we apply them not only in the realisation of CIROS events, but also in our everyday lives.


Education plays a crucial role in this celebration of diversity, and that is what we have attempted as a committee. To take care of First Years, we have accompanied them through their academic endeavours, encouraged social meetups, and enticed curiosity, creativity, and innovation through cooking sessions, city tours, and more. 


As a committee, we approach the workplace with a welcoming mindset and eagerness to listen to a variety of ideas, benefit from the skills of all, and create an enriching experience. We believe a multifaceted approach to decision-making, understanding, and risk-taking, gives a voice and a sense of value to all while enabling healthy and valuable group dynamics necessary for comprehensive and efficient work.


We approach the celebration of diversity with open arms, not just from a moral prism but from a practical necessity to effectively respond to complex challenges in Leiden University and our everyday lives.  Since our committee works for and accompanies students with backgrounds from all over the world, we push for greater recognition of the rich tapestry that makes up our society. As a daily principle, individuals should not only strive to be the best version of themselves, but also to look at others with empathy, curiosity, and tolerance. 


 

It is in the mosaic of our differences that we find true strength to propel us forward as a loving, compassionate, and intimately connected human family. 

 

Relationships between individuals of different backgrounds, origins, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and opinions should be actively pursued. Only by seeing such a variety of profiles can we understand our very selves, grasp how we can grow as individuals, and find ways in which we can come to be of help to others. 


Students of International Relations and Organisations at Leiden University deal with materials from a plethora of ideological positions, political orientations, and geographical locations. Thus, it is of primordial importance that as future world citizens, potential policy-makers, and future decision-makers, we approach modern politics with an understanding of our interconnectedness and complex world. 


We dream that one day, the people of the world will move forward in unity, love, and pride to make the world a better place for each and every one of us. Let us not perpetuate inequalities, discrimination, and hatred with rigid mindsets and detrimental misconceptions, for celebrating diversity is not just a choice but an imperative. It is in the mosaic of our differences that we find true strength to propel us forward as a loving, compassionate, and intimately connected human family. We must celebrate our differences!







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