About
📅 Sunday, 18th May 2025
📍 Instituto Cervantes, Domplein 3, 3512 JC Utrecht
Join us for the SIB Annual Symposium 2025, a day dedicated to exploring how we can bring people together and foster understanding across divides. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges Between Communities,” tackles the questions that shape our connections:
- How do communities form?
- What causes conflicts between them?
- And most importantly, how can we build stronger, more inclusive connections?
Why Attend?
This symposium is a unique opportunity to:
✔️ Hear from inspiring speakers.
✔️ Engage in meaningful discussions about connection and collaboration.
✔️ Network with individuals passionate about creating positive change.
Tickets:
🎟️ Regular: €8.00
🎟️ Student: €5.50
🎟️ SIB Member: €4.50
Organized by members of our student association, this event promises to be a day filled with fresh ideas, thought-provoking insights, and the chance to be part of the conversation that builds a better future.
Let’s build bridges, not walls. See you on the 18th of May!
Program
- 12:45 – 13:00: Walk-In
- 13:00 – 14:00: Opening by Linda Voortman (Municipality of Utrecht) & Opening Talk by Margo Trappenburg: Margo will start the symposium with a talk on social cohesion in Dutch society. She will explore how weak ties shape communities, the impact of political contradiction, and key developments that influence social bonds
- 14:15 – 15:15: During our workshop round, you can pick one of three options:
- Serve the City (volunteering in Utrecht): Serve the City Utrecht will share inspiring stories of community service and meaningful connections that unite people.
- Dialogue workshop: learn how to have difficult conversations.
- Historical view: Dr Richard Calis will give us more historical insights on what connects us and what divides.
- 15:30 – 16:15: Closing Talk by Marlou Schrover: Discover the complexities of migration and diversity with Professor Marlou Schrover, a leading expert in Economic and Social History.
- Drinks afterwards in Badabing
Partners
