The University of Jyväskylä and the Student Union celebrate the Jyväskylä Pride week on 4–10 September
The University of Jyväskylä and the Student Union JYY participate in the event. This year our University's vice rector Marja-Leena Laakso will act as a patron for the event.
“It is my great honor to serve as the sponsor of this wonderful celebration and, above all, of this important cause,” says Laakso. “My role as sponsor sends a message that both personally and as an organisation, we protect and cherish the values Pride stands for. The dignity of every human being is inviolable. We must act as organisations and as individuals to ensure that equality, equal treatment, and non-discrimination of people are realised."
"The University needs to be a place where everyone has the space and the right to be and to express themselves as they are, without any fear of discrimination or unkind and unjust treatment. To achieve these goals, we, both personally and as a study and work community, must examine our own behaviour and actions in a transparent manner, without excuses. Only by having open and constructive discussions, while learning from each other, can we build secure lives and guarantee everyone safe learning environments.” Laakso continues.
The chair of the Student Union Board Konsta Tarnanen agrees. "The Student Union and the university community as a whole are committed to work to make our community a safe and equal place for all. Achieving equality and equity requires active work throughout the year, not just during Pride week, and it is important that the whole university community is committed to this common goal," Tarnanen says.
Week full of events
This year, JKL Pride coincides with the opening festival of the academic year, JYUnity Fest, which means a full week of various events.
The week is traditionally celebrated by flying rainbow flags and handing out pins on the campus. Free JYU pins will be available for staff and students in the lobby of the main building, Lähde, Ruusupuisto, Agora and Ylistö and at the JYY office in Ilokivi. There is a limited number of pins, so grab yours!
JYU and JYY also arrange several events that reflect the spirit of Pride, to which we warmly welcome our entire university community. SETA Jyväskylä will also arrange a variety of activities during the Pride week.
Pride week will culminate in the Pride procession and party at the park on Saturday 9 September. All willing students and staff members are invited to join the procession in a common section for the University and the Student Union. The organisation for the procession starts at 11 a.m. in Kirkkopuisto. The procession starts moving at 12 and concludes at the Lounaispuisto park where the main party of the Pride week is held. The event includes various activities and music. Visitors may also enjoy the Student Union’s hug station!
“Join the procession and march for the important cause of human dignity and equality, not against anyone or anything!” Laakso says.
