Volunteer Naima honored for fostering cultural unity during Anti-Racism Week in Valkenswaard
During Anti-Racism Week, Valkenswaard highlights the efforts of volunteers like Naima el Jaouhari, who organized a multicultural children’s event to bridge cultural gaps. Her work promotes inclusivity, helping residents connect and combat discrimination in their community.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Volunteer Honored | Naima el Jaouhari |
| Event Organized | Multicultural children’s afternoon |
| Location | Valkenswaard, Noord-Brabant |
| Award Received | Certificate of Appreciation & bouquet |
| Issuing Body | Discrimination Reporting Point (LEVgroep) |
| Anti-Racism Week Dates | 16–21 March 2026 |
| Reporting Point Contact | www.discriminatie.nl, (0492) 598 989, meldpuntdiscriminatie@levgroep.nl |
The LEVgroep’s Discrimination Reporting Point, in collaboration with the municipality of Valkenswaard, plays a key role in addressing discrimination by providing a platform for reporting incidents and organizing initiatives like Anti-Racism Week. Their work focuses on fostering social cohesion and raising awareness about equality.
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Volunteer Naima brings cultures together. That’s why we’re thanking her during Anti-Racism Week.
For the 8th time, Anti-Racism Week will take place from 16 to 21 March. This week was established to raise awareness about racism and discrimination, as well as to prevent and combat it.
An inclusive society
One of the best ways to counter discrimination is by bringing residents into contact with one another. When people meet, greater understanding and empathy emerge. They discover what they have in common instead of focusing solely on differences. This helps break down prejudices and strengthens community bonds in the neighbourhood. The result is an environment where people can live together comfortably, even if they differ from one another.
Shining a spotlight
Volunteers play a key role in organising meetings between people in the neighbourhood. One such volunteer is Naima el Jaouhari, whom we’d like to shine a spotlight on. Naima took the initiative for a multicultural children’s afternoon held last year. Together with other residents from different neighbourhoods in Valkenswaard, she organised a wonderful afternoon for children and their families, offering a low-threshold way to get to know other cultures. The event was a great success and attracted many visitors. We are extremely grateful to Naima for her positive contributions and ideas. We all share responsibility for how we view one another, beyond any possible prejudices. That’s why today, she received a bouquet of flowers and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Discrimination Reporting Point of the LEVgroep.
More activities
Over the coming year, several activities will be organised to strengthen cultural connections between residents. A fine example is the “world around the corner” working group, a neighbourhood initiative in which the working group, in collaboration with Scholengemeenschap Were Di and the children’s mayor, will organise more activities that contribute to an inclusive society.
Discrimination Reporting Point LEVgroep
We want everyone to feel welcome and treated equally in our society. Yet it can happen that someone is treated unfairly. That’s why there is a discrimination reporting point: a place where residents can report discrimination they experience. Every municipality in the Netherlands must have such a reporting point. For Valkenswaard, this is handled by the Discrimination Reporting Point of the LEVgroep. This reporting point is affiliated with the national organisation Discriminatie.nl and handles all reports from our region. We know that not everyone who experiences discrimination reports it. That’s why the LEVgroep and the municipality are paying extra attention to this issue during Anti-Racism Week.
Anne Verleg, Discrimination Consultant at the LEVgroep, on the reporting point: “Every story we hear is different, and it feels good to take the time for someone, to truly listen. We take every report seriously and always consider possible follow-up steps. And even if we don’t always succeed in changing a situation, it’s wonderful when we do!”
Do you experience discrimination? Then report it. You can do so online via www.discriminatie.nl, by phone at (0492) 598 989, or by email at meldpuntdiscriminatie@levgroep.nl.