EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Mutual understanding subcultures due to youth shows in Tilburg

Mutual understanding subcultures due to youth shows in Tilburg

Introduction

Bringing about positive image-forming among various population groups and increasing mutual understanding are important in order to create social stability in a city. The city of Tilburg in The Netherlands shows what city governments can do to improve understanding among different groups. 'Doe je ding' (Do your thing) is a project intended to promote integration between the different population groups that live in Tilburg. Each third Saturday of the month, the Regional Training Centre Midden-Brabant organises a lifestyle show in the 'Hall of Fame'. Young people aged 15 to around 23 can present themselves there. There are dance and music performances, but also plays and recitals. The project has been very successful in attracting a growing and very diverse audience. In 2007 the project was chosen as one of the 'Pearls of Integration' - a Dutch awardscheme set up by KIEM and Nicis Institute.

Problem

How can the city government improve mutual understanding among the various population groups?

Description

The 'Doe je ding' (Do your thing) project is intended to promote integration between the various population groups in Tilburg. The ROC (Regional Training Centre) Midden Brabant organises the monthly event for young and old, immigrant and native-born, where young people present themselves on the catwalk of the Hall of Fame, a former factory building in Tilburg. On a Saturday evening, before the nightlife begins, a lifestyle show is held where young people can express their uniqueness to the public. They choose how they wish to be put in the spotlight, with spoken word, dance, sports or rap. 'Doe je ding' is intended to bring about positive image-forming among the various population groups, increasing mutual understanding and public safety.

Approach

Each third Saturday of the month, the Regional Training Centre Midden-Brabant organises a lifestyle show in the Hall of Fame. Young people aged 15 to around 23 can present themselves there. Each evening, a maximum of 60 young people may participate in a total of ten shows.

A project group of students at the Regional Training Centre organises the activities. The project group is divided into three task areas, consisting of a PR group, a Registration group and a Production group. The PR group recruits participants from neighbourhood centres, immigrant organisations, schools and 'the street'. The Registration group processes the registrations and the participant's requests for his or her presentation. The Production group is responsible for the programme, presenting the show, the script and the decor for the catwalk.

A film producer is involved with the project and is making a 6-episode television series about the participants in the shows. 'Doe je ding' is a project entirely run by young people and has a cross-section of the population of Tilburg as its target group. The invitees are also very varied: from the Fire Brigade, small- and medium-sized businesses and people from the Turkish or Moroccan communities, as well as the homosexual organisations Embrace Pink and the COC.

Results

The number of participants has increased from 25 to 60 per evening;
Participants come back and bring their friends
Exchange: the shows result in registrations for athletic and dance clubs, immigrant organisations recruit new members;
Insight into the target groups: part of the bar has become a tea corner over time;
Recognition during the nightlife: the shows lead to recognition and a positive atmosphere in cafés and nightclubs;
Prejudices are broken down.

Learning experiences

Participants are initially cautious, but as soon as one person dares to climb onto the catwalk, a feeling of solidarity is created;
The shows lead to positive and tolerant crowd behaviour. Treating one another with enthusiasm makes the city more pleasant;
The invitees gain a positive image of young people.

Resources used

Co-operative partners
Hall of Fame
Regional Training Centre Midden-Brabant, department of Social-Cultural Work
Bosch film Amsterdam

Financing

The Regional Training Centre has drawn up a project application, and the City of Tilburg has honoured it with a subsidy of 25,000 Euros.

Contact info

Regional Training Centre Midden Brabant
Willemien van Heugten (Projectleader/teacher), tel. 0031 13 5397060

Project start date

10/06/2006

Cities

Tilburg, The Netherlands

Links

More information on the Regional Training Centre Midden Brabant (in Dutch only)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration

Institutional characteristics
Non-Governmental Organisation