From 17 to 19 November 2025, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will focus on compassion and care during “Compassionate Week.” With this initiative, the university aims to create space for staff and students to reflect on illness, grief, loss, and caregiving — themes that touch everyone sooner or later.
During the week, members of the VUB community can attend workshops and seminars, write a comforting card, or share a drink at the Compassionate Café.
“Illness, dying, and loss are still often taboo subjects. Yet they affect us all — young and old, staff and students alike. With Compassionate Week, we want to acknowledge through various activities that we can also carry these themes together. One of the activities is the performance RauwRouw, which starts from the question: ‘Can we grieve together?’ Highly recommended for everyone.” (Hanne Bakelants, researcher at the VUB and coordinator of Compassionate Week)
The highlight of the week is the annual Moment of Comfort, during which the VUB community gathers to remember those who have passed away over the past year. Attention is also given to students and staff members who are seriously ill or providing care for loved ones.
Compassionate Week
Through Compassionate Week and initiatives such as the Moment of Comfort, the VUB demonstrates that illness, loss, grief, and caregiving are visible and acknowledged parts of its university community. As a Compassionate University, the VUB signed a declaration of intent in 2019, an initiative launched by its late honorary rector, Caroline Pauwels.