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Question: What Does The Word Diversity' Mean To You?
Question: What Does The Word Diversity' Mean To You?
I believe true diversity includes race, religion, marital status, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation and importantly to me age. As I later discovered, a broad definition similar to this had already been established by the diversity commission. It has been an honor and privilege working with the commission and I wish you the best in continuing to meet the ever changing diversity needs of the university and the surrounding community. Take care and God bless! Sincerely in warm regards,
Think outside the box! What do you feel this word really means to you? To your community? To your country? To the world? Can there ever be Introduction This report contains the ideas, knowledge and insight that took place over a three and a half day session in Sackville, New Brunswick. The Youth For Diversity Project, aims to bring approximately 25 youth together in one arena to discuss, debate and create ideas and plans around the issue of diversity. Half of the session was spent looking at the individual and group definitions of diversity, with sessions that included both reflective and group exercises. Small groups were formed to further flesh out concepts around diversityracism, ageism, sexual orientation, access to resources, etc.to further understand the impact that diversity has had on us and those around us. To add to these sessions, four guest speakers were invited to address the group around particular issues that are present in our communities. The guest speaker topics ranged from immigration and refugee issues, queer youth issues, the Black Loyalists of New Brunswick and hate crimes which involve South-Asian and Muslim youth. The other half of the session was spent trying to understand and raise awareness to the participants about how each individual can make a difference in their communities. This by no means implies that the individuals present were not already contributing members to their communities. In fact, it was the exact opposite. There were youth who were working at local youth centres, board members of national organizations, already actively involved in community groups and program officers at non-governmental organizations. We were ready to hear from the participants on how-to become involved, we knew that the knowledge was not going to given to them, but equally shared between each and every participant. Sessions included talking about what skills and knowledge we need to succeed, identifying ways in which youth can get involved at all levels, and finally, the opportunity to flesh out a personal action plan, complete
with an bartering exercise where people identified their skills and needs and shared them with others in the group, in order to find someone else who can offer or take. THE AGENDA The following sections are the outcomes of the small and large group discussions that took place over the weekend. There has been no synthesizing or paraphrasing, only redundant statements have been omitted. Question: What does the word diversity mean to you?
Large group session/personal reflection exercise
Think outside the box! What do you feel this word really means to you? To your community? To your country? To the world? Can there ever be Every person or group has unique characteristics, abilities, beliefs, opinions, traditions, and appearances that can be different from others around them. Diversity means to me all types of religions, races, ethnicities, cultures, etc., living in harmony, free of any and all prejudices. Equality and diversity should go hand in hand. Diversity can refer to many variations of experiences, backgrounds, values, beliefs, etc. present within our communities and our world. The existence and, more importantly, the acceptance of differences or heterogeneity in class, colour, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical capabilities, and other cultural, social and political backgrounds. A celebration of individuality Dissimilarity and variety. A variety of people working together as a whole and not letting differences divide them.
Understanding Variety
Respect Equality
Celebration Definition of
Question: What are some of the issues around diversity that are found in your community?
Large group brainstorm/small group work
Is racial profiling an issue in your community? Are hate crimes based on sexual orientation an issue? Has something been in the news lately about GENDER:
High violence against crimes that go unspoken in society 30% wage gap in between the women and men Societal pressures on gender stereotypesi.e. Role of genders in the home
PUBLIC POLICY
Only french-english interpreters available in community hospitals Immigration policies are racist and classist Language laws (Bill 101) Denial of systemic and institutional oppression Sunday shoppinglaws against businesses who open on Sundays
VIOLENCE
Swarming of newcomer youth in schools and communitiesbeing attacked/intimidated by other youth Bullying
ABILITY ISSUES
Autistic children in schools Access to public buildings is not universal in the form of ramps, elevators, etc. Little services available for employment searchend up in menial jobs and are not able to reach potential. The assumption of peoples ability creates barriers.
REGIONAL DIVERSITY
Small communities tend to be very homogenous are sometimes reluctant to accept/understand/respect differences Small communities are growing with diverse populations The perception that Canada ends at Nova Scotia Rural and urban dichotomy
AGEISM
Teenagers are a target for discrimination They are perceived as immature, inexperienced, lacking in resources, capable of delinquency, brushed off Older people are perceived as immobile, no longer contributing to society, old dog cant learn new tricks mentality which is in society.
MEDIA
Ignoring presence of hate crimes Murders of trans-gendered youth which is not covered in the media The mis-representation of various groups in the media Rarely makes stories of equity or inequality prevalent. Visible discrimination in advertisements and ads
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Hate crimes on university campuses In smaller communities, it is hard for people of different sexual orientation to be themselves. The clash of religion and sexuality, school boards deny education of sexual orientation issues Same sex marriages Invisibility in rural communities, lack of role models and finding a partner The risk of losing parents, grandparents due to intolerance and no acceptance.
People rely on possessions to gain superiority over others. Economic status The notion that people on welfare should be made to work for assistance Poverty and marginalization Urban poverty Working class discrimination Access to a university education Social hierarchies based on income and socio-economic status The unequal distribution of power in society Access to adequate employment The disparity between rural and urban centres and their access to services The disparities between countries and access to resources. Lack of access for same sex partners in the areas of insurance benefits, etc. International students tuition are excessively higher than Canadian students. Access to sexual reproductive health services
(Other areas)
RACISM
Racial profilingdiscrimination on the basis of name, colour, country of origin (ie. Black males, Arabs/Muslims--particularly after 9/11, Asiansparticularly after SARS, First Nations) Anti-American sentiments The negative perceptions of First Nations People in Atlantic Canada Stereotyping Multiple oppressions based on race and classie. Africville in Nova Scotia, the reserve system in all of Canada.
EMPLOYMENT
Women in the workforce There is a lack of cultural sensitivity amongst some Medical Professionals The re-qualification of the professional sphere of immigrants The backlash of employment equity initiatives Youth denied employment due to a lack of experience, physical appearance and maturity, etc. The myth that immigrants are adding to the growing lack of jobs. Tokenism (gender, visible minority, persons with disabilities) training wages which target young people and New Canadians.
OTHER ISSUES
Commercialization of social movements Tourism and the exoticism of other countries and cultures
Question: What are some of the positive steps being taken around you towards respecting, promoting and recognizing diversity?
Large group discussion
Community events such as the Multiculturalism nights, summer festivals Bringing people together to discuss the issues Organizations, forums, conferencessuch as the Youth For Diversity forum University programs around diversity, critical theory and international studies International Film Festivals Diversity Camps Challenging the status quo workshops Partnerships/cross-collaboration of organizations working on issues
Question: What needs to change/happen/end in order to move forward in respecting, promoting and recognizing diversity?
Large group discussion
Curriculum changes that reflect the reality of Canadas history and present Training of educators, leaders Someone who can write about the diversity of experience Partnerships between urban and rural groups, sharing of information and resources Political might and accountability Alternative school/learning experiences Youth services in rural centres Provide space for youth-youth interaction
Question: What are some of the ways and skills I need to become involved and active in the area of diversity? Individual Interpersonal skills Passion Patience Communication Positive outlook Networks Optimism Planning/organization
Community Diplomacy Being able to handle rejection Overcome stereotypes Not take things personally Know where to go for resources in the community Take initiative Understanding of the social structures and hierarchies Understanding of politics and needs of the community Awareness of what is already going on Respect for the diversity in the community Nationally Sense of the realities of the Good team official languages Politically active Able to follow procedure A good knowledge of the laws and policies Lobbying skills Persistence Access to power Partnership Finding allies Knowledge of where the $$$ is Media savvy Globally Keep language simple Be inclusive Creative and quality damage control Computer skills Good relationships with the media Global awareness Building of coalitions Access to funds Be aware of legislation Good networking Connecting issues globally with issues Communication system locally
Hidden agendas Difficulty recruiting dedicated people Our own biases Resistance Fear of speaking out Lack of resources/funding Lack of interest/apathy Local customs Time Outside biases Competition between groups Access to factual information glass-ceilings overcoming illegitimacy jurisdiction lack of recognition staying focused burn-out overcoming stereotypes of being young
Name
Joanne Macrae
Jodi Bartlett
Shari Hayne
Lesley Marple
Skills/knowledge/inf Needs Email address ormation to share information, on ideas and guidance on [email protected] sexual how to run a reproduction workshops, games, issues activities, techniques facilitation skills working with the media lobbying skills/ideas getting into schools and program development funding sources [email protected] facilitation skills How to get more youth interested in experience diversity issues working with immigrant/refug Program ideas for ee youth youth in diversity partnership Tools resources to use building in public education initiatives recruitment and management of volunteers [email protected] networking including more a online diversity issues in the community queer issues/gender understanding the issues language of other ethnic groups alternative media working on increasing group combining diversity membership issues to work as a whole facilitation/leadershi p skills lesleymarple@yahoo building balancing partnerships religious beliefs .ca between urban with diversity and rural issues organizations funding sources group sustainability establishment collaboration (small town, with other
Alysha Zhou
campus) queer/trans issues and education networks and contacts across Canada resources on how to initiate projects funding assistance project support
organizations
Ayat ElDewary
Jason Wareham
youth organizations and contacts in Atlantic Provinces resources on immigrant/refug ee issues working with children of war and poverty youth mediation work research Atlantic Canada history resources AIDS Aboriginals in Atlantic Canada Issues of rural youth Youth organizations and drop in centres Public speaking Living in rural, homogenous communities
awzhou@pathcom. issues com surrounding youth in Atlantic Canada issues of rural youth diversity and racism in Atlantic Canada sexual orientation and health issues ayateldewary@yahoo. web desing working with com young children and pre-teens
Minority children and the issues they face The realities of interracial families Health services and resources for youth Starting a discussion group out of
sarah_mahane [email protected] m
Mireille Gomes
Creative approaches to communication Crisis intervention with youth/depression and suicide Coordinating youth activities Community service projects involving homeless people and the elderly Raising awareness in a high school environment Youth programming Hate crimes work Policy work Building networks Working with newcomer youth and service organizations Ideas on how to become a volunteer to help newcomer youth Human rights violations in East and SE Asia Human rights advocacy and activism on campus Research and compiling data
school or youth group Promoting awareness of the isms and events nationwide Getting media representation Founding organizations Raising awareness around sexual orientation issues Effective ways of doing networking
mireillegomes@hotm ail.com
Soni Dasmohaptr a
Jennie Grand-Pierre
Kitty Li
Finding and creating appropriate places for youth to hang out How to organize a mini cultural show Objective historical background on IsraeliPalestinian conflict Economic oppression on African
tweety0711@hotmail. com
Mays Shamout
Leadership Starting new groups Working with immigrants and refugees Issue around racism, violence, marginalized groups Suggestions on creating inclusive projects Challenging attitudes on racism, immigration. Networks in Newfoundland Facilitation training for action Networks in Newfoundland connecting rural communities Being a board member Organizing youth forums Media planning Event organization Marketing Policy planning Creating
Janet Mackey
countries Increasing opportunity to work overseas Techniques on empowerment and motivation How to change curriculum How to set up a meeting or debate Existing programs for mobilizing antiracism interested groups Ideas of effectively teaching people to respect diversity
music_sensation @hotmail.com
David Godsell
Amanda Parsons
Sarah-Jane Smith
Diversity training related to a campus environment Workshop-oriented information Diversity issues workshop oriented materials Immigration information What the government is doing about oppression Volunteer insurance Promoting diversity in a small community Seeking a job
david_godsell@ yahoo.com
amanda17_parso [email protected]
ssmith@mooseh ead.ca
Erin
respectfordiversi
manuals about diversity and resources Workshops on diversity for younger children Workshops for older youth and adults How to embellish projects Editing and writing The English community in Quebec City Organization/eve nt planning Multiculturalism association in NB The needs of association and organizations Public Speaking Desktop publishing Hinduism
related to diversity [email protected] issues Other diversity conferences that exist New activities about diversity How to create a welcome committee at campus for foreign students stellafleury@hot mail.com
amit_virmani1@ yahoo.com