Since the emergence of the Black Lives Matter Movement in Belgium, attention to decolonization increased within academic circles and university walls. On December 7th, 2020, several Ghent University student associations wrote an open letter “Decolonize UGent”, addressed to the university board. This letter contained concrete proposals for tackling Eurocentric mindsets and structural racism in higher education. This letter inspired students and employees at Ghent University, leading to the establishment of a number of decolonization projects. Students at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy set up the “Network Decolonization FLW” (Ndeko FLW) working group. Staff at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences established the “Learning Network on Decolonization” in 2021. Both networks organize lectures and workshops to stimulate the learning process of people interested in decolonization.

The Learning Network on Decolonization at Ghent University aims to initiate activities to decolonize education, research, and services to students and staff, bringing together students, lecturers, and researchers to co-create knowledge and practices. We are a bottom-up initiative, carried by voluntary efforts of staff and students, and ad-hoc funding.