Building 4 Belonging launch encourages cross-disciplinary innovation

02 April 2025
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02 April 2025

The NWA project Building 4 Belonging launched with an inspiring event bringing together experts to create inclusive school environments.

Building 4 Belonging in-person kick-off sparks cross-disciplinary innovation

The five-year NWA project Building 4 Belonging, supported by the Alliance VU-UT impact coalition Smart Societies, recently kicked off with an inspiring in-person event, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle feelings of loneliness among (autistic) high school students. 

The launch event featured international speakers, including Dr. Guida Veiga from the University of Évora (Portugal), who presented on designing schoolyards that foster free play, autonomy and a sense of belonging. Maaike de Vos, an ecological placemaker and parent advocate, shared insights on creating autism-friendly schoolyards through co-design with autistic and allistic youth. These ideas align closely with the work of Professor Magda Mostafa (American University in Cairo), a core project member and founder of the ASPECTSS design principles for autism-friendly environments. 

The event also addressed the stigma autistic students face in high school, which often contributes to feelings of loneliness. Kexin Liu and Charlotte Hu from the University of Twente discussed this challenge, while breakout groups explored innovative solutions and best practices for supporting these students. 

The kick-off event was more than just a meeting; it marked the start of a collaborative community dedicated to designing a future where all students feel seen, valued and respected. By uniting research, practice and lived experiences, the Building 4 Belonging project is paving the way for meaningful, cross-disciplinary impact. 

Want to learn more? 

Explore the project page here, watch the previous online kick-off meeting here and discover additional talks from inspiring speakers: 

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