Among the days of significance acknowledged in March are three that are particularly meaningful in this moment in time: International Women’s Day, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and International Transgender Day of Visibility. I invite you to visit the specific pages for each of these observances to learn more and explore related events and resources.
These commemorative days remind us of global norms established to safeguard and promote the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people and, in the current context, emphasize the need to counter the intensification of misogyny, racism and transphobia. They highlight the renewed imperative to remain steadfast in addressing systemic racial and gender inequities in society and, by extension, our institutions.
We are in a dystopic moment where disinformation and misinformation about marginalized communities and social betterment movements are fueling a rise in intergroup conflict and distrust. These dynamics contribute to inaccurate descriptions, interpretations and evaluations of the goals and benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) priorities on campus.
EDI is fundamentally about promoting opportunity, access, and belonging for all students, faculty and staff. These are goals that every contemporary Canadian university that seeks to be globally relevant and impactful should aspire to – not because it is the nice thing to do (benevolence) or the thing we must do (compliance) – but because it is the right and vital thing to do to advance academic excellence. This understanding is supported by a preponderance of evidence that the broadest diversity of people and perspectives, when provided equitable and inclusive opportunities to participate in the life and work of the university, can stimulate creativity and innovation – the preconditions for excellence in research, teaching, service, and governance.
UBC’s mission statement includes three related core values that underpin its vision “for a better world” and its purpose “to foster global citizenship and advance a sustainable and just society”: respect for “different people, ideas and actions”; excellence, or “the quality of striving to be, and being, outstanding”; and the academic freedom to “express ideas through respectful discourse and the pursuit of open discussion, without risk of censure”.
Enduring commitment to access, equity and inclusion signals to historically, persistently and systematically marginalized (HPSM) groups and EDI champions that they are valued not only because of their intrinsic worth but also because of their essential contributions to advancing excellence in research, teaching, service, and governance at UBC.
Dr. Arig al Shaibah,
Associate Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion