Participation fits perfectly within the ambitions of an inclusive and global city and of Mechelen as a model city at the national and European/international levels. We actively work on human rights at the local level, including: housing, poverty, democracy & participation, discrimination & racism, SDGs, international solidarity, children and youth, climate, people with disabilities, migration, environment, education, sexual orientation and gender identity, elderly people, freedom of expression, women, ... Mechelen is a pioneer in diversity and equal opportunities and is represented in various local, national, European and international forums and networks, for example: ECCAR, GFMD, Urban Agenda...
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Education: the objectives are:
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That more vulnerable youth graduate with a diploma (secondary/higher education);
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A healthy social mix in schools; and
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Fighting racism and discrimination and (toxic) polarization in education. Model initiatives: “Diversity and Education” action plan (www.mechelen.be/actieplan-onderwijs-en-diversiteit), pedagogical tool “Mechelen Kleurt”: discussing the importance of diversity and representation in children’s books (https://kinderstad.mechelen.be/mechelenkleurt), the ‘Cultuurbotsing’ project: exploring what decolonization means today in schools, both for young people and for teachers (https://www.mechelen.be/cultuurbotsing).
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Women, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity: the city of Mechelen has developed a “gender statement”: (https://www.mechelen.be/genderstatement) “All citizens of Mechelen are equal.”