How to intervene in boundary transgression?
Flemish Community Commission offers free bystander training courses
Racism, discrimination and boundary transgression are part of everyday life for many Brusselers. The Flemish Community Commission (VGC) wants to build a more inclusive city. That is why the VGC is offering free bystander training in 2023 as part of the living together plan “Plan Samenleven”. Training participants will learn to recognise boundary transgression and respond appropriately. In this way, witnesses or bystanders will be able to ensure that the victim does not feel alone and show that discrimination, racism and inappropriate behaviour are unacceptable. The bystander trainings are organised in cooperation with the integration agency “Bon-Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering”, among others. They are offered to people working in the VGC network and to anyone interested.
“It is not easy to intervene when you see an incident in the city, but we can only ward off racism, discrimination and transgression when we stand up for each other. With this training, we want to reduce the intervention threshold to help each other,” stressed VGC college member Pascal Smet.
Through “jokes”, subtle remarks, daily (micro-)aggressions and racist statements, many Brusselers are confronted to everyday racism, discrimination and boundary transgression. Research by KULeuven (2021) shows that witnesses often say they do not intervene when discriminatory or racist statements or behaviour occur. Most bystanders feel fear or diffidence, do not want to suffer adverse consequences or do not want to be seen as “troublesome”.
But as a bystander, you do have influence in situations of boundary transgression. You can indeed help to stop it or avoid making it worse, and even help to introduce social change. By showing that this behaviour is not acceptable, you send a clear message that we do not accept racism, discrimination and cross-border behaviour in Brussels. “Plan Samenleven” of the VGC tackles challenges of living together in Brussels and tries to reduce people’s origin gap. Brussels’ great diversity provides enriching encounters, personal growth opportunities and a sense of togetherness, but also creates structural issues and challenges.
“Living together with 6.6 million different Flemish people sometimes creates challenges. That requires efforts. And it means you need a policy with a clear vision. With “Plan Samenleven” we are therefore making two clear choices. First, we let our cities and municipalities take control, because living together happens locally, in our streets and neighbourhoods. Secondly, we go for less fragmentation, and more impact. We are evolving from 380 small-scale projects to 24 solid projects for local governments to choose from. The bystander project is one of them, and proves that our approach works. Indeed, our cities and municipalities, including the VGC, made a commitment to train as many as 5,000 bystanders. This is how we make a difference,” said Flemish Minister Bart Somers.
Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie Practical information
In 2023, 300 people will be able to participate in bystander training.
This training consists of two parts.
- Part 1: Learn to (re)recognise boundary transgression, analyse your own reference framework and unconscious prejudices.
- Part 2: Learn to respond in situations of boundary transgression.
During part 2, experiences will be shared and there will be space to discuss and practice examples.
- Price: free
- Organisation: VGC Living Together and Diversity, among others in cooperation with Bon-Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering
- Registration: www.vgc.be/omstaanderstraining (mandatory - registration is possible up to 5 working days before the first session of each training.)
- More information? Send your question to [email protected].