Updated 28 August: The Pride parade and Rainbow Square event in Kristiansand on 29 August have been cancelled due to the passing of His Majesty the King. Skeive Sørlandsdager instead invites people to gather at Kilden Concert Hall from 15:00.
"We believe that UiA and higher education should be a place where everyone can feel at home. In light of the current global situation, it is particularly important for us to show our support and stand up for those who cannot. In this way, we can shed light on an issue that means an incredible amount to so many people", says Karen Elise Stenersen, chair of the Agder Student Organisation (STA).
The parade is part of Skeive Sørlandsdager, which runs from 23 to 29 August. This year, as last year, UiA is coming together under a common banner to celebrate the value of diversity in academia.
"A diverse UiA, with an environment that promotes inclusion and equality, is one of the cornerstones of our institution. It strengthens us in everything we do and is essential if we are to achieve our goals. At UiA, everyone should feel safe and free to enrich our community", say UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker and University Director Seunn Smith-Tønnessen.
You can find the full programme for Skeive Sørlandsdager here (in Norwegian)
New launch
At Campus Kristiansand, too, there will be opportunities to take part in events organised by UiA’s Centre for Gender Equality.
Tuesday 25 August will see the launch of the new, interdisciplinary research forum QiA. The forum aims to strengthen and raise the profile of queer research by providing a shared meeting place. QiA will be open to all researchers, PhD students, staff and students with an interest in queer topics.
On the same day, there will also be an academic seminar on historical research with a queer focus, as part of the event ‘Writing Queer History(ies)’.
And whether it’s this week or any other time of the year, you can always listen to the podcast ‘Skeiv Dagsorden’, which addresses current topics and important issues from the queer community.