Making diversity a strength and equal opportunity a reality.
At HEAD – Genève, inclusivity is a core value that guides the way we teach, learn, work, and build our community.
An art and design school is a place for creativity, the exchange of ideas, and the development of knowledge. It also has a responsibility: to ensure that everyone can find their place, develop their full potential, and fully participate in the life of the community.
This approach aims to prevent discrimination, reduce barriers, and create a respectful, accessible, and safe learning and working environment. Particular attention is given to situations in which inequalities may be reproduced within the institution, with the goal of fostering concrete and lasting changes in practices.
Inclusivity is a collective responsibility. It concerns our spaces, teaching, working relationships, learning conditions, and everyday practices.
HEAD considers equal opportunity a responsibility shared at the institutional, collective, and individual levels.
Creating the conditions needed for everyone to have access to the same opportunities, progress along their path and take full part in the life of the school.
Making studies and school life accessible to as many people as possible, by identifying and reducing the barriers that can hinder participation or success.
Recognizing and valuing the plurality of backgrounds, identities, cultures, experiences and perspectives that make up the HEAD community.
Recognizing that backgrounds and starting conditions differ, in order to offer conditions that allow everyone to develop their abilities, without lowering academic standards.
An inclusive institution is one that does more than welcome a diverse audience: it works to ensure that everyone can participate fully and feel they belong while remaining themselves.
Since 2021, HEAD has been developing an inclusivity and equal opportunity policy, supported by a steering group that brings together the institution’s different bodies and by the creation of a dedicated position.
This policy is also part of the broader framework of HES-SO Genève, which has set up a prevention and support system for its entire community.
Several measures have been taken:
The address inclusive.head@hesge.ch, managed directly by the person responsible for this area, serves as a local point of contact for members of the community. It can be used to ask a question, share an experience or request guidance, with anonymity respected.