tolerantietekening

Tolerantietekening is a drawing practice in Dutch-speaking contexts that seeks to express and explore the concept of tolerance and social inclusion through visual means. The term combines tolerance with drawing and is used mainly in education, youth work, and community art projects as a tool for social-emotional learning.

In practice, tolerantietekening involves prompts that ask participants to illustrate what tolerance means to them, how individuals from different backgrounds can coexist, or how conflicts can be approached with respect. Sessions may include individual drawings, group discussions, and collaborative murals. Materials range from pencils and ink to paints and digital media, and methods emphasize reflection as well as creation.

The approach emphasizes dialogue, empathy, and critical reflection on social differences such as race, religion, gender, and ability. It is often employed in anti-bullying programs, inclusive education, and diversity trainings. Evaluation in the literature is limited, but supporters report beneficial effects on communicative skills, openness to others, and a more inclusive classroom or community atmosphere. Critics note that the impact can be uneven and dependent on facilitation quality.

Tolerantietekening is related to but distinct from general art education and from art therapy, in that it explicitly foregrounds social values and intercultural understanding rather than personal symptom relief. It intersects with programs in tolerance education, visual pedagogy, and participatory art.