International School of Amsterdam Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice & Belonging Statement
At ISA, since our mission is ‘to educate for international understanding’, we believe that our shared humanity is what unites us. When we recognise and uphold what it means to be human and combine this with the qualities of open-mindedness, respect, and empathy, we can build deep connections across cultural divides, value diversity and support each other by standing up for human rights.
No person in the ISA community shall be treated differently, separately, or have any action directly affecting them taken against them on the basis of race, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As a school, we are committed to listening, learning, and taking action to address racism, discrimination, and injustice both within and outside of the classroom. We stand in solidarity with all members of Black communities and all members of other marginalised groups who experience discrimination.
We recognise that systemic racism exists in society and is embedded in mainstream culture. At ISA, we are privileged and often disconnected from the discrimination and suffering that others experience in the world, and many of us are unaware of the unconscious bias that we hold due to the history and persistence of white supremacism within our global societies. We cannot, however, hide from the reality that injustice and inhumane treatment of others continue. We also cannot blind ourselves to the prejudice and disrespect that members of our own community experience in their everyday lives, including on our own campus. As a school, we acknowledge our greater responsibility in educating our community and realising change.