30-10-2012: TNN Announces Declaration of Dordrecht

Transgender Network Netherlands concluded it's first ever "European Transgender Participation Symposium on Friday afternoon, November 26th in Dordrecht, The Netherlands. The event, which was attended by people from as many as 12 different countries, concentrated on 'Being Transgender at Work' and dealt with topics that are very important to transgender employees and employers, but which are rarely looked at in detail. 

The event was supported by the public sector, the private sector and civil society, which demonstrated the real need across the board to address the difficulities, but also the opportunities for transgender people in the workplace. Mayor of Dordrecht, A.A.M. Brok launched the event with a reception in the city's medieval city hall on the 25th of October. Marja van Bijsterveldt, Dutch Minister for Education Culture and Science, officially opened the Symposium stating:

" We not only want transgender people to be themselves and to participate in society, but we are also showing that bringing transgender people back and keeping them in the workplace gives value to all parties."

Dutch State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment, Paul de Krom, was the 1st Keynote Speaker on Friday the 26th, followed by representatives of the private sector, Harry van Dorenmalen, Chairman of IBM Europe, and Conny Koreman, Project Manager Ballast Nedam. 

After a day of workshops looking at all aspects of being transgender at work, the Symposium ended with the announcement of the Declaration of Dordrecht: a 10-point agenda for improving the situation for transgender people at work. 

Workplace Pride was one of the organizing partners of the symposium. 

For information regarding the Declaration of Dordrecht, please contact: info@transgendernetwerk.nl

Images below: 

1. Mayor A.A.M. Brok opens reception at Dordrecht's medieval city hall
2. Minister Marja van Bijsterveldt officialy opens Symposium
3. State Secretary de Krom, Harry van Dorenmalen and Carolien van de Lagemaat (Chair TNN) discuss issues during a break
4. Conny Koreman speaks during opening keynotes.