Netherlands. ‘Embrace our neurodivergent differences’ is the theme of this edition. Eindhoven is participating for the first time this year, with Donatues as an ambassador.

Neurodiversity encompasses all brains that function differently from the norm, ranging from autism (ASD) and ADHD to dyslexia and bipolar disorder, explains Mara Gianotten, architecture master’s student and secretary of Donatues. Donatues believes that a pride day for this diverse group isn’t a luxury but a necessity. For one thing, there should be more awareness of neurodiversity in education at TU/e, says Gianotten.

“Of the positive side, that is. A student with ADHD who can’t sit still in class stands out, as does that one gifted student who always knows better. But what doesn’t get any attention is how incredibly creative these students are, for example.”

Deadline

President of Donatues Jesse van Meer recognizes what Gianotten is saying. During his studies, he often felt unseen and unheard, he says during his speech by the flagpole. Van Meer, who is soon to complete his master’s in Psychology & Technology, said beforehand that he plans to remain involved with Donatues.

“We’re reaching an increasingly wider audience. Initially, we focused solely on TU/e, but now we also work with ASML, for example, because this is also an issue in the business world. We have chosen June 16 as the official start date for our partnerships with TU/e and Fontys Eindhoven. A partnership with Fontys Tilburg will be added soon.”

In addition, Donatues agreed on a deadline with TU/e: in three years’ time, there must be an association where students with neurodiversity can feel at home.

Chaos for the fly

Eric van der Geer-Rutten-Rijswijk speaks on behalf of the Executive Board. His message: ‘normal’ is just a paradigm that we agreed upon together. An illusion. He quotes Morticia Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday: ‘What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.’

“Every day, neurodivergent people experience what it’s like to be put in a box that doesn’t fit them.” This is the result of a society – and an education system – based on averages, “one size fits all.” TU/e wants to contribute to a world in which everyone can flourish in their own way, says Van der Geer, “because our strength lies in our differences.”

Then it’s time to raise the flag. Gianotten and Van Meer jointly operate the mechanism, and the stiff breeze blowing across the Groene Loper immediately catches the flag, which flies proudly.