Pride

At Ilisimatusarfik, it is important that all students and staff feel they have equal access to education, research and participation in our university’s communities, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, background or life circumstances.

A university should be a place where people come together with respect, curiosity and appreciation, and where different perspectives are not merely accepted but contribute to new knowledge, stronger communities and a greater understanding of one another.

As Greenland’s Inuit-led university and leading institution of higher education and research, we have a special responsibility to contribute to knowledge about society as a whole - and to make space for the many experiences, voices and ways of life that exist in Kalaallit Nunaat.

Diversity is not a new or unfamiliar concept in a Greenlandic context. On the contrary. Our history and culture bear witness to the fact that people have always lived and expressed their identity in different ways, and that communities grow stronger when there is room for diversity.

Pride gives us an opportunity to put these values centre stage and to recognise the people, communities and organisations that work to promote greater understanding, respect and equal opportunities. At the same time, Pride reminds us that inclusion is not something that is confined to a single day or month. It is a shared responsibility that we must uphold all year round.

For Ilisimatusarfik, diversity is not about prioritising certain groups over others. It is about ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard and represented, that everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and thrive, and that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to our shared community.

A strong university and a strong society are built on the principle that there is room for diversity and that everyone can be part of the community. When there is room to be yourself, the community is enriched – and more people can help shape our shared future.

Sincerely,

Mari Kleist, rector