#46 Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap

Everyone matters: all are tomorrow’s thinkers and doers!
At the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), we are working daily to help make a smart, skillful and creative country. A place where people are allowed and able to be their authentic selves. Where everyone has the opportunity to grow and learn, no matter who you are or where you come from. All of this is combined in our theme for this year’s Canal Parade: “Everyone matters: all are tomorrow’s thinkers and doers”.

We want to use the boat to put a spotlight on people who are committed to helping others. Individuals in education, culture and science who stand up for the position, appreciation and safety of LGBTQI+ people. Every bit of help counts. These are the stories that can inspire others also to get involved.

What we do
As a ministry, we make policy for the Dutch education, culture & media and science sectors. We also coordinate the Dutch emancipation policies. Education is a key pillar of our society. We want everyone to have access to a good education. Students and pupils of all ages should feel safe at school and in class.

We support the diversity and richness of our culture and want everyone to have access to culture. The media play a vital role in people’s daily lives. They allow people to inform themselves about all manner of topics. In doing so, there should be room to explore different perspectives and stories. An important condition is that journalists and artists should be able to express themselves freely. Science and innovation can play a key part in solving the great challenges of the future. To this end, we work to stimulate scientific research and innovation.

Finally, we are dedicated to the emancipation of all groups in our society. We want everyone to have equal opportunities for employment, income and participation in society. None of this should ever be negatively impacted by gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion. We therefore want the voices of all groups to be heard and for no one to be excluded or discriminated against.

Everyone matters!