Working together for equal internship opportunities

It’s an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and gain a clearer picture of their future. Unfortunately, some students also encounter the darker side of working life. One student, for example, initially did not receive an invitation for an interview until he sent the exact same application letter under a Dutch-sounding name.

That is why, on 9 November, ECHO, together with THUAS, organized the fourth national conference on combating internship discrimination in higher education. This year's conference focused on the role of employers.

Awareness alone is not enough

During his keynote speech, "Internship justice begins with acknowledgment," Ercan Büyükçifçi, Strategic Advisor for Inclusion at THUAS, challenged organizations to look beyond mere awareness. “We have already gathered a great deal of knowledge about internship discrimination. The real challenge now lies in acknowledging the problem and taking responsibility.”

He called on organizations to engage in honest self-reflection. “Internship discrimination is not limited to companies. Educational institutions must also critically examine their own practices. How do they support students? And how do they respond when a student experiences discrimination and reports it?”

Taking responsibility together

Through the The Hague Approach to Equal Internship Opportunities, THUAS actively works to combat internship discrimination. Ercan: “As a knowledge institution, we have a social responsibility. Particularly in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, that responsibility requires more than awareness alone. The university must critically examine its own practices and, together with partners within and beyond the education sector, take concrete action.”

More than just a conference

According to Ercan, the conference offers more than an opportunity to exchange knowledge. “The event brings together people who work every day to promote equal opportunities. It creates space to share experiences, inspire one another, and keep each other accountable. Those who raise awareness of discrimination within their organizations can sometimes feel isolated. By exchanging experiences, participants find recognition and support in one another.”

The conference demonstrates the importance of collaboration. Equal internship opportunities require not only awareness, but above all concrete action by both employers and educational institutions.