COC Amsterdam e.o. Information
Every day, our volunteer educators work at schools in and around Amsterdam, educating students about sexual diversity. The educators, who stand in pairs in front of the class, engage with young people and answer their questions. We also offer the RAINBOW teaching package. With this we not only bring experience and awareness to this generation, but we also provide teachers with support on how to deal with sexual diversity and a safe environment to discuss this topic. We inform from knowledge and experience and encourage dialogue among ourselves.
Themes such as sexuality, faith, love, discrimination, prejudice are discussed at the students' level, with the educators allowing everyone to have their say.
There are around 35 volunteers who visit secondary schools, vocational colleges, universities, and even primary schools. The educational goals are to develop and strengthen LGBTQIA+ emancipation and to promote a safe school or training environment in education.
The interactive lessons focus on gender identity and sexual diversity. Our volunteers engage in conversation with the students as experts by experience and also share their personal stories.
Through various work and play activities, our volunteers create a safe and educational atmosphere in which topics such as prejudice, love, and multicultural society are also addressed.
The lectures are very diverse. Sometimes I am at a practical school, other times I am in front of a class of future teachers, and the next time I am talking to students at a grammar school. The conversations vary greatly in content. For me, this makes lecturing fun and varied.
Natascha (36)
Around 350 information sessions are held in the Amsterdam region each year. Since 2012, schools have been required to provide 'some form' of education about homosexuality. Our volunteers receive professional preparation, guidance, and training.
I educate because I believe that homophobia stems from ignorance. In this way I hope to contribute to a better world by showing that the difference between lgbtqi+ and straight is not that big. Educating not only gives me a sense of significance, I also get a special insight into the different cultures of Amsterdam and its surroundings, plus a lot of great colleagues!
Nienke (21)
Are you interested in becoming an educator? Would you like a Rainbow package for your school? Please contact us by email: voorlichting@cocamsterdam.nl
