University of Jyväskylä and the Student Union celebrate the Jyväskylä Pride Week 2021
The University of Jyväskylä (JYU) and the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY) take part in the celebration of Jyväskylä Pride on 16–22 August 2021. The annual week of events is organised by Jyväskylän Seta.
This year’s theme in the Pride community and events has been “Pride in Progress”. In 2021, it will be 50 and 40 years from legislative changes that significantly improved the equality of sexual minorities in 1971 and 1981.
Also at the university, we will take a moment to think about and discuss equality, especially its development in university community – what has been achieved in terms of equality and what is yet to be improved.
“The theme of this year’s Pride week, Pride in Progress, is very well picked. There has been a lot of progress in equality as information and open discussion increase all the time. Yet there’s a lot left to improve. Equality issues are very important for us at the University of Jyväskylä and, based on our values, we want every student and employee to feel safe and valued in our community,” says Vice Rector Marja-Leena Laakso.
“The actions of the community have become more equal because associations, tutors and employees have been trained to treat others more equally. In order to change, we have to break discriminating traditions, evaluate our own actions and have open dialogue,” says Petri Laaksonen, the chair of the Board of Executives at JYY.
Social media platforms will be used for the open discussion where students will be asked to share their experiences about equality at the university. All feedback will be sent to the Equality Committee that consists of students and staff and will be taken into account this fall in the updating of the Equality Plan.
“I think it’s very important that our procedures and policies secure an ongoing and open discussion that makes faults and inappropriate behaviour seen. The Pride week is a very important part of this bigger picture,” says Laakso.
“Even though the university community has taken big steps to secure equality, there’s still much to improve. Building an open and transparent dialogue among the university community makes it easier to become a part of our community,” Laaksonen continues.
The Pride Week can also be seen on campus. As in previous years, the Pride flags are up in front of the main building at Seminaarinmäki. Last year’s popular pins have also made a comeback.
On 19 August, JYY and JYU will organise a Pride-themed panel discussion on equality in progress. The panel consist of scientists and students from the university community as well as experts from JKL Seta. The discussion will be streamed to the audience starting at 4:30 p.m.
The chair and vice chair of the council of representatives of JYY find celebrating the Pride week very important.
“In general, I don’t think that Pride can be seen in the university community nor anywhere else. I feel like the Pride themes have found their place in the daily actions of the community and, for example, events that are organised by student associations must include an equality plan that requires respect for others and zero tolerance for discrimination. I’m especially happy that our university supports Pride openly and celebrates the Jyväskylä Pride Week. It sends a message to the students that everyone is welcome in our community,” says Elma Hyöky, vice chair of the council of representatives in JYY.
The chair of the council Aleksi Murtojärvi agrees:
“It’s important to bring up the rights of sexual minorities and their representatives. Along with symbols and singular events we need concrete actions, for example, through political decision-making.”
“A warm thank you to everyone who has taken part in organising this week! I want to wish everyone a great Pride week,” says Vice Rector Laakso.
