Structural Racism in the Netherlands and Europe: What Can We Learn Beyond the US?

Over the past decades, the understanding of racism as “structural” and “systemic” has traveled from the US context towards Europe. Also in Dutch politics, policy and activism there is growing awareness that racism is not only something inter-personal but also operates through other mechanisms of reproduction, many of which are structural and institutional.

Why has this understanding changed in the Netherlands? Do new understandings inform policy and activism? And how does the Dutch situation compare with the United States, and what is the situation like in other European countries? In this event, we will explore in what ways academic research can help advance efforts to make European societies more inclusive and combat various manifestations and causes of racism. This public evening brings together researchers, policymakers and anti-racist activists.

Speakers

Pieter-Paul Verhaeghe is Professor of Sociology at the Vrije Universiteit of Brussels

Sarah-Jane Koulen works at the College voor de Rechten van de Mens and is a former researcher for the State Committee against Discrimination and Racism.

Yamina Meziani is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Bordeaux.