The theme of Inclusion: Together towards an inclusive society

Authors: Peter Horsten and Simon de Wijs are lecturers and researchers in the domain of Leisure & Events at Breda University of Applied Sciences, editors of Uncover and co-organised the Future of Leisure conference.

From the start of the preparation of the conference, it was clear that being together and utilising the experiential expertise should become the starting point for the inclusion programme. In order to outline a future, determine strategies, or reshape the design of cities, the public domain and leisure time, the participation of a diverse society was desired from the principle of "universal design". For everyone, by everyone. Not a conference merely talking "about" inclusion, but at its core striving for inclusiveness itself. Shaping an inclusive design process for which everyone would be invited, not focusing on an assumed average or mainstream user, but going right up to the field's edges and corners. In addition to the approach of the entire conference in which we invited a solid mix of lecturers, researchers, students from multiple years and national and international fields of study, as well as representatives from the entire breadth of the leisure industry, we wanted to increase the diversity of participants in the inclusive design sessions through our regular collaboration partners. These partners connect various communities, such as LFB, the national advocacy organisation by and for people with intellectual disabilities, MuZIEum which focuses on the visually impaired community, Best Buddies with youth and refugee couples, and so on. 

Towards an inclusive society
“We are not there yet. When talking about an inclusive society, bonding and bridging are key elements to achieve this and leisure can play an important part. Over the most recent decades, the Netherlands has become a multicultural and diverse society. Is it also an inclusive one? I do not think so,” stated Rabin Baldewsingh, National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism at the conference. He provided some examples: “Public space is our living room, where everybody should feel at ease. But that’s not the case. When young people hang out on a bench at the city centre, the municipality will remove the bench because the youngsters are too noisy. Or think about groups with challenges of a disability who must plan everything because it is not easy to get to a city centre. For parking reasons. Is there a toilet? Finally, flying by KLM you will see wooden shoes, tulips, Delft, The Rijksmuseum and canals in the welcoming film. Okay, it is the essence of the country. But why do we not also focus on the diversity by depicting the vibrant Rotterdam Summer Carnaval, attended by a million visitors each year?”

How to create accessible, desirable, and meaningful places where all inhabitants feel welcome and feel like they belong? How should these locations, and especially leisure, be organised? The goal of the design sessions was to re-create society so that everyone can shine, not only as a consumer or an inhabitant, but also as a volunteer, an employee, a researcher, a decision-maker, a designer or a strategist. Leisure plays a significant role in this. Leisure organisations in particular design activities which can build bridges. It is precisely in the leisure domain that places emerge where we can meet, express ourselves and get to know others. Culture and sports create opportunities to “empower”. Theatres, pop venues, restaurants and media provide platforms for everyone to have a voice. Leisure activities offer inspiration, relaxation, connection, meaning, development, or happiness to varying degrees according to different preferences. 

Read the complete article in Uncover Magazine from page 36.