AN INCLUSIVE AND SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE

Times are changing, the social debate is rapidly polarising and more and more groups are becoming radically opposed to one another. Language appears to be one of the most powerful forms of respective inclusion and exclusion. New Metropolis strives to facilitate a safe place of meeting where everyone feels safe and heard without jeopardising the culture of open conversation. With this Code of Conduct we provide program makers, moderators, partner organisations and participants with the necessary tools to navigate through the many social areas of tension. Where certain expertise or experience may be lacking, we offer knowledge and support. Precisely by framing manners and forms of addressing one another, an environment is created where one can speak freely and openly because certain tensions are removed, everyone present experiences respect and recognition, mutual understanding is created and the vocality of disadvantaged people grows.

With this Code of Conduct we aim to bring about a cultural change and to set a new standard for how the social dialogue can be conducted in a constructive, equal and inclusive manner.

  • Moving forward, New Metropolis will refer to its visitors as participants. Everyone present is a desired participant in the conversation and a necessary participant in shaping and building a sustainable and inclusive city.
  • At New Metropolis everyone is recognised, greeted and addressed. There is no greeting or mention of “ladies and gentlemen” as this completely excludes the presence of non-binary and/or gender queer persons. Alternatives: ‘Hello dear people’, ‘Welcome dear people’ or: ‘Good evening dear participants’.
  • Identity is not expertise. Experts and people with experiences are two different things. Example: do not make people professional transgender and do not make a Moroccan Dutch person a mouthpiece on behalf of the entire community. Acknowledge people’s qualifications and professions.
  • Freedom of expression is about issues, not about individuals, and should never come at the expense of human rights. Ergo: people are not attacked ad hominem and the existence of certain groups and/or persons is not disputed. Some sensitivity is required. What is an interesting philosophical issue for one person is a (hard-won) daily reality for another. Example: gender-free toilets are a topic of discussion, the existence of non-binary/trans people is not.
  • In New Metropolis a person is who he/she/they says they are, not what others make of it. No discussion is allowed about self-proclaimed identities such as skin colour, gender, religion, origin, sexual preference or otherwise. In addition, one’s own identification is not dismissed as an experience, feeling or perception, but as a recognised state of being.
  • Everyone is treated and addressed as an equal and respected person. No diminutives or reductionist terms about groups and/or individuals are tolerated.
  • All participants are consistently referred to by their first name or last name. It does not contain any gender division, age discrimination or other inequality.
  • The gender of participants is not considered to be known in advance. Ask guests beforehand for their preferred personal pronoun and form of address and refer to audience participants as “that person” or ask them to identify themselves by their name and personal pronoun.
  • As with point #5, persons with any illness and/or physical or cognitive challenge indicate how they identify. Avoid ableism; expressions and words referring to such challenges such as ‘don’t react so spastically’, ‘blind spot’ or ‘falling on deaf ears’ A person may have an illness and/or physical or cognitive challenge.
  • Use of the word ‘negro’ is out of the question when no explanation can be given about the origin and evolution of the controversial word, in order to provide more context. If necessary and functional, reference to ’the n-word’ as such is sufficient.
  • New Metropolis contributes to the decolonisation of language: ‘white’ not ‘caucasian’; ‘black’ not ‘dark’; ‘double-blood’ or ‘multi-blood’ not ‘half-blood’; and ‘bicultural’ not ‘immigrant’. A Dutch person is anyone with Dutch nationality, not everyone with a white skin color. People with dual nationality are introduced with both nationalities if desired (and requested) and population groups are referred to with both nationalities: ‘Chinese-Dutch’ and not: ‘Chinese’ and ‘Turkish-Dutch’ and not: ‘Turks’.
  • There is no profanity or name calling at the table. This keeps the conversation substantive, safe, polite and respectful to everyone.
  • Do not generalise or make assumptions for the public. Examples: “Of course I am preaching to the choir here.” “We all agree here, of course.” “I don’t need to tell you that…” “We are of course all…
  • Avoid technical jargon and specialist terminology without context or explanation.
  • Participants in the MBO education are legally called students and not pupils.
  • New Metropolis respects every person and does not speak about groups of people in terms of natural phenomena. Examples: ‘streams of migrants’, ’tsunamis of refugees’, ‘wave of Muslims’ etc.
  • Population groups are never prefixed with a swear word and ethnicity, gender and/or sexual preferences are never an adjective. Examples: ‘fucking Moroccan’, ‘Ting Tong or chink, ’that’s gay’, ‘bitches’, ‘faggot’, ‘dyke haircut etc..
  • At New Metropolis we are aware that language is not static and communication is a product of mutual interaction in which we never stop learning. We are open to feedback, correction for possible blind spots and new insights.

 

 

 

Aankomende programma’s
John Adams Institute Presents
Jennifer Carlson: Democracy by Bullet?
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Vandaag, 20.00
Koop kaarten
Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten presenteert
Easter School: Re-Membering Nieuw-West
Doe mee aan dit gezamenlijke onderzoek naar vraagstukken rondom gentrificatie, segregatie, racisme en herinnering in Amsterdam Nieuw-West.
29 mrt 2024 - 31 mrt 2024
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Café 749 2
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Hoe creëren we een stad waar er echt ruimte is om jezelf te zijn? Een avondvullend programma in aanloop naar de 750e verjaardag van Amsterdam.
Morgen, 20.00
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Fifth Friday Sisterhood presents 3
Creed: Revolution, Resistance, Rights
As the landscape of identity politics all around us is changing each and every day, come and enjoy some stories of revolution, resistance, and rights.
Morgen, 20.00
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Special
Stop the ongoing Genocide in Congo
Escalating tensions in Kivu, the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, draws global attention for the security crisis in Africa's mineral rich region.
Morgen, 20.00
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Justice for Palestine 9
Israelism
Documentary screening about the relationship between Israel and new generation of American Jews and their struggle to redefine it. Afterwards a Q&A w/ the filmmakers and guests.
Morgen, 20.00
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Special
Buurtinitiatieven op de tocht
Hoe zorgen we ervoor dat buurtinitiatieven - zoals de Fixbrigade - niet ten onder gaan aan aanbestedingsregels?
di 2 apr, 19.30
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What Design Can Do x PDZ 1
Redesign Everything Talks
A new circular design event series with What Design Can Do.
di 2 apr, 20.00
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Clay workshop 5
Mud Break
Clay workshop with visual artist Esra Sakir using clay from Amsterdam's Lutkemeerpolder: explore the relationship between the city and nature.
wo 3 apr, 19.00
Volgeboekt
Economie van morgen 10
Wet betaalbare huur: doelmatig of denkfout?
De woonbeweging lijkt voorstander van deze wet, terwijl economen waarschuwen dat er een denkfout wordt gemaakt. Tijd voor een gesprek.
wo 3 apr, 19.30
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Architecture Now - Amsterdamse Architectuurprijs 2024 1
Duurzaam werken in de stad
Drie kantoorgebouwen met verschillende opvattingen over duurzaamheid. Hoe ziet groene architectuur er uit bij de Amsterdamse kantoren van nu?
do 4 apr, 19.30
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Kringwijs presenteert: training voor buurtbewoners 1
Iemand Erbij
Leer hoe je het best kunt handelen in een crisissituatie met uiteenlopende problematiek.
vr 5 apr, 09.30
Amsterdamse Iconen 14
Cees Holtkamp
Een uur lang in gesprek met banketbakker en oprichter van Patisserie Holtkamp, over zijn leven, werk en liefde voor Amsterdam.
vr 5 apr, 20.00
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Justice for Palestine 10
Israël: een koloniaal project
De media heeft 7 oktober genomen als vertrekpunt voor Israel's recht op 'zelfverdediging', maar hoe zit dit als we kolonialisme meenemen?
vr 5 apr, 20.00
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Jong Amsterdam 28
De Straat Spreekt
Hét magazine door jongeren over de straat. Weet jij wat er speelt?
za 6 apr, 15.00
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Architectenweb x PdZ
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Hoe kan de bestaande bebouwing worden verduurzaamd en beter worden ingedeeld, en hoe kan de woonkwaliteit hiervan een impuls krijgen?
ma 8 apr, 13.30
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Groene Transitie 37
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Kan jij het perspectief van boeren, klimaatactivisten, industrie en politiek en op één lijn krijgen in dit interactieve simulatiespel?
ma 8 apr, 19.30
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Book Launch & Book Swap
In/formal Marketplaces
From Essentials to Experiences: The Transformation of City Markets.
ma 8 apr, 20.00
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nai010 x PDZ
Paradijs van imperfectie
Een gesprek over architectuur in relatie tot actuele maatschappelijke thema’s
di 9 apr, 20.00
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Special
CogniTalks
Let the countdown begin to one of our most anticipated evenings of the year: CogniTalks - a TED Talk spin-off but make it neuroscience!
di 9 apr, 20.00
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In de spotlight