Rooting out racism requires actions – The University of Jyväskylä participates in I Am Antiracist campaign

The University of Jyväskylä participates in the national I Am Antiracist campaign, which calls on people to contribute to non-racist Finland. This spring, the theme of the campaign is Anti-racist future. Anti-racism refers to active work against racism, and it starts from identifying and recognising the forms of racism.
Published
3.2.2022

Anti-racist actions are needed to root out racism and negative attitudes in society. Such actions concern, above all, addressing any inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, and structural injustice. Anti-racism requires that we listen to the members of our university community, learn to recognise discriminative attitudes and ways of action and change them.

The University of Jyväskylä is involved in the I Am Antiracist campaign launched by the Ministry of Justice, the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The campaign is one way to shed light on this theme in our university community. The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness of racism and anti-racism, to raise societal discussion, and activate people and organisations to take concrete actions in order to promote non-discrimination. We will address topics related to anti-racism more  during the spring.

”Non-discrimination and equality are fundamental principles in teaching and research at our University. The University of Jyväskylä contributes to the construction of anti-racist society because each of us is entitled to a safe working and learning environment where no harassment or other inappropriate conduct is allowed. As a university, we are committed to treat each individual respectfully and without discrimination”, says Vice Rector Marja-Leena Laakso.

”Making racism visible and addressing it is very important in the university community, since studying should be safe for everyone. No harmful images and stereotypes should be allowed or reinforced even accidentally, and we should be openly critical with respect to our own prejudice. Let’s make together our University an open, warm and safe community for everybody”,” says Aija Hokkanen, Chair of the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä.

Non-discrimination work at the University

JYU has a Non-Discrimination and Equality Committee, with members both from the staff and students of our University. The Committee’s tasks include promotion of the objectives of the Non-Discrimination and Equality Act, monitoring the development of equality at the University, and enhancing positive attitudes and opinions toward non-discrimination and equality within the university community.

The committee also prepares annually a non-discrimination and equality plan based on a multicultural approach appreciating each individual. The plan defines aims and measures for sensitivity toward diversity and for the promotion of equality-enhancing attitudes. Such measures include, for example, defining and Implementing the principles of safe social space for the whole community, monitoring equality in pay issues, and promoting non-discrimination in the selection of representatives to the administrative bodies.

”Our University promotes multiculturalism and does not tolerate any discrimination and inappropriate conduct. We are all equally valuable with our various human qualities - in all colours of skin, eyes, or worldviews. It’s a pleasure and enrichment to us to get different people from different nationalities to our University, joining us both at work and in leisure activities”, states Senior Lecturer Tommi Auvinen, Chair of the Non-Discrimination and Equality Committee.

For students, equality and equity work is reflected, for example, in the curriculum work. The curriculum is based on the premise that our alumni are responsible academic professionals who take responsibility for their own well-being and that of others. For the first time, a course on sustainability and responsibility will be compulsory in the new curricula, covering the different dimensions of responsibility: social, cultural, ecological and economic responsibility and sustainability. The social responsibility aspect views at issues of equality and human equity.

Also our operational principles, JYU Code of Conduct, which were updated at the turn of the year, provide an important tool for the promotion of equality at our University. Each member of our community has the right to tell openly about observed problems. It is important that problems and flaws are reported so that we can take measures to correct them. Read more from below:

The I Am Antiracist campaign started in autumn 2021, and its second part is taking place from 24 January till 6 February 2022. This spring, the theme of the campaign is Anti-racist future. You can participate in the campaign in social media by the hashtags #OlenAntirasisti #JagÄrAntirasist and #IAmAntiracist.

Further information