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Opening of the Academic Year 2025

On Monday 1 September, the University of Humanistic Studies will open the academic year with a festive programme. The focus will be on Connecting knowledge, the new motto of the UvH, which touches on the core of who we are and what we do – and with which we focus on issues that matter, such as social justice, sustainability and the search for meaning in a changing society.

During the Opening, we will zoom in on the urgent theme of polarisation, both in society and in the city of Utrecht. University professor of Polarisation & Connection Evelien Tonkens and university lecturer Annemiek Schilpzand will discuss the context of polarisation and its conscious and unconscious presence in society.

Kiza Magendane (writer and publicist), Neeltje Spit (PhD candidate at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences) and Robbert Bodegraven (director of the Humanist Association) present a concrete idea for combating polarisation in a panel discussion chaired by Menno Hurenkamp, professor of Democracy as Human Work at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. Utrecht alderwoman Rachel Streefland will respond to these ideas.

We will conclude the meeting with a reception in the (courtyard garden of the) Pieterskerk.