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Value the benefits of a diverse range of perspectives, lived experiences, and ways of thinking. Support and promote the voices of others during discussions. Collaborate successfully with cross-disciplinary and intercultural groups. Recognize bias and discriminatory behaviour in order to be an agent of change.

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Jump to section:听Understanding Equity, Diversity & Inclusion | Cultivating Cultivating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | Quick Guide to Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion听|听Taking Action | Resources |听References

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Understanding Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

While humanity has accomplished significant social progress in recent decades, from decreasing poverty to providing more widespread healthcare and education, this progress remains uneven. Social and economic injustice persists at both the global and the local community levels, due to marginalization and discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. ^[]

At the micro-level of a community or a team, the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are intertwined; they are defined by the process of improving the terms of participation (inclusion), and promoting and integrating various perspectives and experiences that are typically underrepresented (diversity), in order to attain fair access to opportunities (equity). More broadly, we must remember that equity, diversity, and inclusion are responses to inequity, homogeneity, and exclusion, which has resulted in unfair access and distribution of resources and support.

Equity听

While equality focuses on equal treatment, equity recognizes that in order to overcome pre-existing barriers, different levels of support are required so that every member of the community has fair access to opportunities and resources. In other terms, equity requires different treatments to听address and ideally听so听that the access can be more听equalized听^[2][3]听equitable听access to jobs is promoted through a听governmental or organizational Employment Equity Act.听听

In Canada, the听听aims to achieve equality and fairness in the workplace by applying principles of equity, such as providing adequate work accommodations, to ultimately correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women,听Indigenous听people, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.听^[]听Learn more about 麻豆AV鈥檚 approach to听employment equity.听

Diversity听

Diversity refers to听the presence of difference within any collection of people; the focus is on the group, not merely individuals.听^[]听Some examples of the various dimensions of diversity听include:听gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, culture, ability, and socioeconomic status; this is not an exhaustive list. To learn more about the dimensions of diversity, check-out听the听Equity at 麻豆AV definitions webpage.听听

Diversity describes the presence of difference within any collection of people. In discussions of social equity, diversity addresses differences in social group membership related, for example, to race, Indigenous identity, class, gender identity or expression, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, and religion. Discussions about diversity linked to access and equity require knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary experiences of oppression and exclusion. ^[]听

Inclusion听

Inclusion refers to the notion of belonging, feeling welcome and valued, having a sense of citizenship. It also speaks to a capacity to engage and succeed听in a given听institution, program, or听setting.

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Why does it matter?

Imagine a future where you are still paid less than a man with the same qualifications 鈥� because you are a woman. Imagine a future where your coworkers still dismiss your ideas 鈥� because of your cultural background. Imagine a future where you are still told who you can and cannot听be married to. Imagine a future where generations are still being taught that there are limits to their dreams 鈥� because of who they are. Imagine a world without equity, diversity and inclusion.听

Equity, diversity and inclusion are key for positive social and professional interactions. In a team, diversity in听identities,听abilities,听and听perspectives听widens horizons and expands knowledge.听^[]听A team embraces diversity and inclusion by respecting everyone鈥檚 input听and recognizing听when certain voices are prioritized over others; this practice results in more fruitful discussions, creative solutions to complex problems, and new 鈥渙utside the box鈥� ideas.听^[]听

On a larger scale, systemic discrimination in organizations creates and perpetuates disadvantage for marginalized groups, including racialized people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, women, and Indigenous people. Systemic discrimination in higher education translates into less access and听achievement gaps between dominant groups and those whose identities have been marginalized.in the labour market, systemic barriers produce higher than average unemployment rates, lower than average salaries, and concentrations in low-status jobs among these听groups.听^[]听

Race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability, and age are not mutually exclusive entities. These social categorizations are interconnected and听link to larger systems such as racism, classism, and sexism.听听The combination of these systems of oppression overlap听to make for unique experiences of discrimination鈥� also known as intersectionality.听^[]听The compounded听systems听of gender inequality and racial discrimination, working together听is an example of how听a听racialized woman鈥檚听experience of sexism can听be directly related, encouraged, and shaped by听her听experience of racism or ethnocentrism听race or ethnicity.听^[]听

Respecting the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, in an intersectional way,听enhances social cohesion while preventing alienation of individuals or groups. Learning about the various dimensions of diversity around听you, and听developing a better understanding of听yourself and听the experiences of others,听will motivate you to combat discriminatory behaviour, and to advocate for inclusive and equitable practices for the ultimate wellbeing of your community.听

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Cultivating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion听听

We as a community should听continue to challenge听inequity and discriminatory behaviours (e.g., stereotyping, misogyny) by acknowledging their detrimental consequences on听society as a whole.听Promoting inclusion and听diversity, and听advocating for equity are collective efforts that require the commitment of organizations, governments, as well as individuals.听听

Organizational behaviours (e.g., code of conduct, policies) are a reflection of an听organization鈥檚听values, its听dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion. At this level, systemic discrimination calls for systemic remedies in the form of changes to policies and practices that address the barriers limiting the full participation of disadvantaged groups. Additionally, various Canadian government agencies have designated policies as well as training opportunities to promote the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in their activities (e.g., peer review and recruitment processes at听).听

At 麻豆AV, the听Equity Team in the Provost Office听work toward听promoting equity in all areas of academic life.听They collaborate with different offices to 鈥渆nsure that our institutional equity commitments are woven through practices, policies, and priority-setting throughout the University.鈥� ^[26]听Studies in psychology and sociology have shown that we all possess, to different extents, implicit biases 鈥� defined as unconscious associations of stereotypes and attitudes with a particular group.听^[]听These biases are dictated by听a number of听factors, including (but not limited听to), time, capacity and听the social environment听to which听each individual听is听exposed(e.g., cultural or religious influence).听^[]听Take听the听听created by Harvard researchers to听discover听your听biases听as a first step in consciously听modeling听your perceptions and behaviours.听^[]听You may be surprised by the contrast between your conscious egalitarian values and your implicit ones.听It is important to understand that biases听affect听conventions, which听influence outcomes, that further reinforce biases! This cycle can be broken by examining bias, relating it to听greater systems of inequity and challenging bias thoughts and behaviours.听

While policies exist at most Canadian organizations, it remains our responsibility as citizens, colleagues, peers, friends, or neighbours to support and respect each听other鈥檚 rights听to be treated fairly, to be recognized for our abilities, to be respected and appreciated for who听we听are,,听and to provide necessary support for those of us who remain听affected by marginalization. The day we no longer听have to听ask if we are sufficiently inclusive, diverse,听or fair, is the day these principles would have become the norm, rather than a remarkable exception.听
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Quick Guide to Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

1. Know your听rights as a 麻豆AV student, employee, and citizen while respecting those of others听
2. Review 麻豆AV鈥檚听Strategic Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan听and see where you can effect change.听^[25]听
3. Confront your biases and prejudice and accept that unconscious biases impact your perceptions and behaviours. Check out听听to learn about interventions to reduce your bias.听
4. Examine your documents, conventions, syllabi and reading materials听and听act听on听any听under/ misrepresentations.听
5. Commit to learning more about the different forms of oppression that affect you and the people around you: Exploitation, Marginalization, Powerlessness, Cultural domination, and Violence.听
6. Benefit from the cultural diversity at 麻豆AV to learn about other existing cultures, religions, and perspectives on local and global issues.听^[]听
7. Participate in groups, associations or projects where you can engage in constructive dialogues about topics within or beyond your expertise or comfort zone.听
8. Connect, listen and learn from books, events, movies, and people听鈥捥齟specially those听e听whose听experiences听differ听than yours听^[]听
9. Be an agent of change: act when witnessing discriminatory behaviour or human/student rights violations听
10. Be听open to other perspectives, and听being challenged on听ideas听or experiences that feel new听
11. Ensure that accessibility is prioritized in organizing efforts to ensure that all community members can participate without听(or with limited)听barriers; this requires checking in about people鈥檚 access needs.听
12. Use and promote assertive self-expression during a group discussion (assertive self-expression is a direct, firm and positive way of communication that promotes equality in person-to-person relationships听听
13. Treat others the way they want to be treated听鈥捥齌he Platinum Rule听^[]听

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Taking Action

Professional Development & Training听

• Check听听for upcoming workshops and programs by searching for events tagged with this category: equity, diversity and inclusion.听
• Workshops听鈥撎�麻豆AV Equity Team in the Office of the Provost: provides workshops for staff and faculty to build capacity on equity-related topics听听
• Workshops 鈥� Teaching and Learning Services provide workshops for students to build their capacity on equity-related topics.听
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Gaining Experience听

• Participate in 麻豆AV Equity Team events and initiatives.
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Events

• Black History Month听听
• Indigenous Awareness Weeks听
• Queer History Month听

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Resources

Websites

• Equity at 麻豆AV:听equity education and resources for support听
• 听a list of equity tools, training and resources to learn more about diversity and equity.听
• 听鈥� University of North Carolina Writing Centre.听
• Information on the Mohawk Nation (Kanien'keh谩:ka) and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy听鈥撎�听
• Learn more about听听
• The听听offers resources for leaders and educators that help them transform their systems and environments to be more equitable听
• The EAB has created a听听related to equity and anti-racism to help foster important dialogues on campus听
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Groups & Associations听

• 麻豆AV Equity Team in the Office of the Provost:听aims to ensure equity is a key consideration in all decisions affecting academic life at 麻豆AV听
• 麻豆AV Joint Board-Senate Committee on Equity:听recommends University policy that strives to promote fair access to academic and employment opportunities听for groups that face systemic barriers听
• : an organization that works towards the advancement and inclusion of women and girls with disabilities and Deaf women in Canada.听听
• 听a social organization that spreads awareness, and initiate dialogue and action to promote diversity and inclusion.听
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Books, Articles & Reports

• 麻豆AV Equity Blog听/equity/further-reading/equity-blog听
• Banaji, M. R., & Greenwald, A. G. (2013).听Blindspot: Hidden biases of good people. New York:听Delacorte听Press.听听听
• Kaplan, M., & Donovan, M. (2016).听Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in Diversity & Inclusion Pays off.听听听
• Liswood, L. A. (2010).听The loudest duck: Moving beyond diversity while embracing differences to achieve success at work. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.听听听
• Steele, C. (2010).听Whistling Vivaldi: And other clues to how stereotypes affect us. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.听听听

References