World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day

December 1, 2017

 

On December 1, we join communities worldwide in commemorating World AIDS Day to remember those who have died from an AIDS-related illness, unite in support of those living with HIV, and raise awareness about the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

In Canada, December 1st also marks the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week.

This year, UN AIDS is casting a light on the importance of the right to health with a #myrighttohealth campaign.

The right to health means that everyone is entitled to benefit from the best standard of physical and mental health; this right is enshrined in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Yet globally, one in four people living with HIV have experienced discrimination in health care.

In fact, those most frequently denied basic healthcare are also those who are most marginalized in society. Perhaps not surprisingly, these are also groups who are most impacted by HIV. Marginalized populations include youth, sex workers, migrant women, and indigenous and racialized communities. In Canada specifically, HIV incidence is much higher among Aboriginal people, newcomers from countries where HIV is endemic, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men.

UBC researchers continue to lead the way in addressing this critical societal challenge by exploring treatment and prevention initiatives, including safe injection sites and simple screening tests, and by exploring differences in access to healthcare resources amongst various populations.

This World AIDS Day, take time to reflect on the intrinsic relationship between equitable and inclusive communities and the universal right to health.

Background

The virus that causes AIDS was first identified in 1984. The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988. Since the virus was identified, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS globally, and, by the end of 2014, some 65,000 people were living with HIV in Canada. On average, seven Canadians are infected with HIV every day, with one in four of those infected being female.

Learn more about how UBC is advancing HIV/AIDS research.

News and Stories |

UBC Remembers December 6th

November 24, 2017

On December 6, 1989, an armed man entered an Engineering class at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. After he forced the men to leave, he said he ‘hated feminists’ and began shooting the women students in the class. He continued through the rest of the school, firing at women on the campus. At the end of his rampage, he had murdered 14 women before committing suicide.

In response to such acts of violence, Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. It is a reminder of this national tragedy, and provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the nature of gender-based violence in Canada.

At UBC, we recognize that violence against women is an ongoing reality, influenced not only by sexism and heterosexism, but also by poverty, racial discrimination, colonialism, and other factors. We remember this tragic event and honor the women who died. We also need to ask why the violence against women continues.

Campus Events

14 Not Forgotten: Memorial and Vigil | 12:00 @ the Engineering Student Centre

Let us know you’re interested.

Around Campus

“28 years ago, I was in my second year at university in civil engineering, just like Genevieve. As I look back, I remember. If not for all the mentors and role models, both men and women, I would not be here today. […] We must never forget, we must never become complacent. Not just to honor these women. Not just to honor the lives that never came to be. The women that never got to become engineers, entrepreneurs, leaders, role models, parents, grandparents… Simply because they were women who wanted to be engineers. We must never forget. Not just for them, but for us. If we are going to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive… […] One doesn’t have to look back 28 years to understand that. Even today, approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. This persistent reality of gender-based violence and harassment… We must never become complacent. No. We must be vigilant, relentless, in trying to create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed, everyone is included, and everyone can thrive. […] And as I look back, I appreciate how far we have come. […] In 1989, there were three female professors in engineering at UBC. Today, 40 per cent of assistant professors are women. In 1989, Canada was graduating 11 per cent female engineers, today we graduate 21 per cent. And here at UBC, almost 30 per cent of the incoming class are women. We still have a long way to go before there truly is equity, parity and inclusion, but we have made tremendous progress. […] Our community here at UBC has changed because men and women, faculty, staff and students have all worked together…[…] Today, I ask you to think about what you can do to continue this journey towards creating an equitable and inclusive engineering profession and society. […] Dr. Sheryl Staub-French is a Professor in Civil Engineering and Equity Lead in the Faculty of Applied Science. In 2014 she was named the inaugural holder of Goldcorp Professorship in Women in Engineering. Today we remember the 14 female engineering students killed @polymtl on #december6th, 1989. #letsthriveubc #endVAW #ubc #ubcengineering

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“Twenty-eight years since December 6, 1989, this day continues to be a day when Canadians stop to pause, reflect and show concern about violence against women. The 14 women that were murdered at an Engineering class at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal were killed because someone thought that they, as women, did not belong in engineering. When those women were murdered, we, as a profession received a very deep wound. We were struck at the core by having something very special taken away from us – students, young engineers, young women full of promise. But there is more to it than the wound we received – the loss of those individuals – there was an attack on the value of diversity and inclusiveness in engineering. Diversity and inclusion celebrates the fact people are different. Without those differences, my world would be a much sadder and lonelier place. Diversity in all aspects is something that allows any group, team or organization to be greater than the sum of its parts. In order to have that diversity we must learn to respect all differences and consider the merits of all ideas, even if we do not choose to personally agree with them. However, to achieve benefits from diversity we must learn to stand together and accept others into our community regardless of our differences – supporting and caring about each other. For it is by living in – and contributing to – a community that we learn what it means to be a real human being.” #ubc #letsthriveubc #ubcengineering #december6th #highered #engineers #endVAW

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Events |

Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 16, 2017

On November 20th, we honour those who have been lost to violence as a result of transphobia, as well as recognize the ongoing violence and oppression that trans people continue to face.

The first Transgender Day of Remembrance occurred in 1999 after the murder of Rita Hester, a black trans woman, in November of the previous year.

We acknowledge that this does not sufficiently encompass the intersections of violence and identity in people’s lives, particularly the disproportionate amount of violence that impacts trans women, trans feminine folk, and trans people of colour, as well as the greater complexities of violence as a whole.

This is a significant and important day to remember those who we have lost, to support those who are here, and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done.

How can I participate?

On Campus

UBC Trans Day of Remembrance 2017

The Pride Collective is facilitating discussions and holding peer support hours throughout the afternoon.

Location: The NEST
Date: Friday, November 17th, 2017.
Time: 1:30-3:30pm

In the Community

2017 Vancouver Trans Day of Remembrance

Location: Carnegie Community Center
Date: Monday, November 20th, 2017.
Time: 7:30 to 9:30

What can I do to build positive space for the transgender community?

I am a transgender individual. What resources are available to me?

Find out more about Transgender Day of Remembrance at  www.transgenderdor.org.

Events |

Fighting the Good Fight

November 6, 2017

When it comes to conflict, most people try to avoid it. But Aftab Erfan, UBC’s first Director of Dialogue and Conflict Engagement in the Equity & Inclusion Office, views it as an opportunity for growth and change.

Read more.

 

News and Stories |

Beyond #MeToo and #IWill: Changing Workplace Culture

November 3, 2017

#MeToo. #IWill. Awareness is important, but how do we move beyond hashtags and words to making substantive changes to the workplace experience for women?

It seems every day new accusations of harassment come to the fore – from Hollywood to Wall Street to Commercial Drive. In response, thousands of women have posted “#MeToo” on social media, indicating that they too have been sexually assaulted or harassed. Men have since responded with “#IWill”, signaling their individual commitment to take action in order to prevent such events happening in their midst.

The “#MeToo” campaign demonstrates just how pervasive the everyday sexual harassment of women is. But what next? How can we change what seems to be an accepted way of treating women? How can we improve the workplace and what concrete role can each and every one us play in helping to do so? How do we go beyond awareness to actual – and more permanent – change?

Join us for a panel discussion as we examine this timely and pervasive issue and explore options for moving forward. This event is open to all members of the public and seeks to foster thoughtful dialogue on this important issue. We hope that participants walk away with broadened perspectives and inspired with ideas to help make change happen in their communities.

 

Date and time: Tuesday, November 28 @ 6:30 PM | Reception: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Jack Poole Hall, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre

Tickets:

A few seats are left for tonight’s event.
Register onsite tonight with credit card.
No cash or cheque accepted.

Can’t make the event in person? Tune into our livestream.

Moderator

Sara-Jane Finlay, PhD, Associate Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion Office, The University of British Columbia

Dr. Finlay supports institution-wide efforts to create a supportive environment for working, learning and living where respect, civility, diversity, opportunity and inclusion are valued. These values are central to social sustainability for all members of the university community. Dr. Finlay received her B.A. (English Language and Literature) in 1987 from Huron College, Western University, followed by a B.A.A. (Radio and Television Arts) from Ryerson University in 1990; and her M.A. (Women’s Studies) and Ph.D. (Communication and Media Studies) in 1997 and 2001 from Loughborough University.

Dr. Finlay commenced her professional research and teaching career in the UK at Loughborough University, lecturing in Media and Sociology, and then at the Southampton Institute, in Media with Cultural Studies, focusing on gender, race, class, culture and identity. Moving into administration, Dr. Finlay became head of Media Studies at the College of St. Mark & St. John, Plymouth, UK. In 2004, Dr. Finlay became a lecturer in the Institute for Culture and Communication at the University of Toronto and served as the director, faculty and academic life at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada from 2004 to 2015.

Panelists / Speakers

Chantelle Krish, Director of Communications and Advocacy, YWCA Vancouver

Chantelle Krish is a strategic communications and public relations expert with a diverse range of private and non-profit experience. Her current work as director of communications and advocacy for the YWCA Metro Vancouver focuses on raising awareness and collaborating across sectors to address systemic gaps and barriers to achieving gender equality. These issues include universal child care, addressing the sexualization of women and girls, ending violence against women, and encouraging civic participation among youth.

As a member of the YWCA Executive Team, Krish is responsible for managing the organization’s internal and external communications, press relations and shaping strategy for much of the YWCA’s advocacy in Metro Vancouver. Chantelle’s unique ability to influence public opinion and excite people about social change shapes the YWCA’s approach to advocacy. Her inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement has resulted in real policy change at the local, provincial and federal levels. Krish holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Victoria School Of Public Administration.

 

Fiona Macfarlane, Managing Partner, British Columbia, & Chief Inclusiveness Officer, Ernst & Young / Member, Board of Governors, The University of British Columbia

Fiona Macfarlane is EY’s Managing Partner of the British Columbia practice and the firm’s Chief Inclusiveness Officer.  She is currently a member of the Board of Governors of the Business Council of British Columbia and serves on the organization’s Executive Committee. Additionally, Fiona sits on the Executive Board of the Immigrant Employment Council of British Columbia, and is a Governor of the Board of UBC and Shawnigan Lake School.  She is a member of the Ministry of Social Development and Innovations President’s Group.

Fiona has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, Top 100.   She was awarded the International Women’s Forum 2013 Global Women Who Make a Difference award.  She has been recognised as one of the Top 35 Most Influential Women: Power to Disrupt by Business in Vancouver and Top 25 Canadian Women of Influence, Professional Services. She also received the inaugural Luminary Award from Big Sisters in 2015 and received Canada’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2016.

 

Dr. Jennifer Berdahl, Professor in Leadership Studies: Gender and Diversity, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division, Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia

Jennifer L. Berdahl is the Professor of Leadership Studies: Women and Diversity at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. Prior to UBC, Berdahl was a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business and the University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Professor Berdahl has studied gender in organizations for more than 20 years with over 40 publications to date. Her research has examined power and status in work groups, workplace harassment and discrimination, and the work/family interface.

Professor Berdahl is an award-winning MBA teacher. Her research and expert opinions are regularly featured in the media, including The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The Atlantic Monthly, and national TV and radio programs. Professor Berdahl has served as an expert witness on gender discrimination cases in the U.S. and Canada and has provided testimony for the Canadian Senate and House of Commons.

 

 

Ryan Avola, iGuy Program Manager, Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators

Ryan currently works as the Program Manager of ‘iGuy’, an educational program for boys ages 8-12 delivered in elementary schools across the lower mainland via Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators. Ryan also works as a youth worker at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House and continues to organize in his communities as an advocate for healthier masculinities. Ryan graduated with a bachelors degree in Social Justice and Peace Studies and a masters of arts in Globalization and the Human Condition.

He began his career after university by volunteering with White Ribbon Campaign in Toronto and advocating for education for boys and men around gender-based violence and masculinity. He’s been a soccer coach and a camp counselor, has developed homeschool programs on social justice and creative learning, supervised a before and after school program with the YMCA, facilitated a leadership program for teenagers, and developed and facilitated his own workshops on gender and violence in schools. He remains passionate about bringing meaningful education to youth to help empower them to make future decisions that benefit their self-awareness and relationships to their communities.

Partners

  • UBC Equity & Inclusion Office
  • Alumni UBC
  • UBC Library’s Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

Events |

This Halloween, Take Care in What You Wear

October 23, 2017

Halloween gives us an opportunity to get creative, dress up, and have fun.  However, some costumes cross the line and are racist, sexist, and just plain offensive.

Some dress up to honour or spoof familiar characters – from witches and vampires to otherworldly creatures –  others take a more serious approach and use this as an opportunity to reflect on prevalent themes in our society.

However, some costumes cross the line and are racist, sexist, or just plain offensive.

This Halloween, create a respectful and inclusive environment for all.

Some costumes can be seen as cultural appropriation or as propagating stereotypes, racism, and sexism. Be thoughtful in choosing what to wear. It’s a matter of respect.

Learn more about what to consider in regards to choosing a Halloween costume from Professor Mona Gleason (UBC Faculty of Education) who also shares the following tips:

  • Use common sense. If you’re not sure if a costume is offensive, don’t wear it.
  • Remember that just because it’s Halloween, it doesn’t mean that all the rules of respectful social interaction go out the window.
  • Ask yourself: Does this a costume belittle the wearer or is it a belittling reference to someone else? Remind people that is not what our what our society is about.
  • Don’t be disingenuous about particular things in history.

Do your part to create and sustain a respectful environment wherever you are. Share this message with your friends.

Best wishes for a safe and respectful Halloween.

News and Stories |

But Where Are You Really From?

October 20, 2017

On Thursday, November 2nd, join the UBC Equity Ambassadors over (free) lunch and explore how you can play a role in making UBC a more inclusive and welcoming community.

As part of this student-led and student focused event, we’ll explore questions such as:

  • Can “innocent” questions sometimes cause harm?
  • How do we grapple with the mismatch between the intent vs. impact of our questions?
  • Are we responsible for the impact of our words?
  • Can what we ask be seen as micro-aggression?

Through facilitated dynamic and engaging peer-to-peer activities, this event will provide you with an opportunity to share your perspectives and experiences, while learning how your daily interactions can affect the wellbeing of people around you.

Date and time: Thursday Nov 2nd, 2017 | 12:30-2:00pm
Location: Nest 2504 (6133 University Blvd)

We hope that you will leave our event with a deeper understanding of how you choose to interact with the diverse members of our community.

Curious about how the event looks like? Check out this link for a similar dialogue that took place last academic year: https://equity.ubc.ca/2017/05/24/can-we-afford-to-joke/

Event partners: Science Undergraduate Society; Kaleidoscope; Party4Health; UBC Equity & Inclusion Office.

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This event is taking place on UBC Vancouver Campus, located on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

Events |

Strengthening Conflict Engagement at UBC

October 10, 2017

Equity & Inclusion Office is working to improve conflict engagement capacity at UBC.

While conflict amongst individuals and groups may be commonplace, it’s how conflict is addressed that can make all the difference. Improving conflict engagement practices is key to UBC’s efforts to create a more respectful, inclusive, productive, and creative environment.

 

Aftab Erfan, Director of Dialogue and Conflict Engagement with the Equity & Incluion Office, guides workshop participants through an interactive exercise.

 

“We don’t currently have an institutional framework for conflict engagement at UBC so my role is to work with university partners to create a strategic vision for dealing with differences on our campuses. It will allow us to better coordinate efforts, improve practices and overall make best use of our capacities,” says Aftab Erfan, Director of Dialogue and Conflict Engagement with the Equity & Inclusion Office.

To help create a shared understanding of institutional conflict engagement efforts and provide space for feedback on the draft framework, the Equity & Inclusion Office convened a workshop to engage staff, faculty and students for whom conflict engagement is a major aspect of professional life.

Workshop discussions confirmed the need for the university to continue with an integrated approach to conflict engagement. They highlighted the importance of bringing together prevention and dialogue initiatives with disciplinary and investigative interventions.

Participants provided input on several aspects of the draft framework. This included: the need to speak more directly to issues of power, incorporating the role of vulnerability, trauma, isolation, survival and fear,  and explicitly addressing conflicts in the classroom in the context of a commitment to intellectual freedom.

Discussion also stressed that while protecting the rights of individuals to a respectful environment must be a central goal of conflict engagement, this work cannot be about quashing conflict.

 

About 50 people attended the workshop, representing a wide range of roles, from Associate Deans, HR managers, counsellors and front line staff who are approached when conflict is escalating, to researchers and educators who study conflict and teach others how to work with it proactively.

 

Rather, participants highlighted the usefulness of conflict as a way of engaging our community in deeper and more meaningful learning, and unleashing creative and potentially transformative ideas we claim to welcome.

As participants worked together to map out existing campus initiatives, the wide range of what’s already taking place became evident.

“There was a sense of excitement, pride and celebration that emerged as it became evident that there was far more going on across the university than most were aware of,” says Aftab.

Now the work will involve leveraging the knowledge shared and gained as part of the workshop, and continuing to engage the campus community in creating system-wide approaches and tools for working with differences.

Download the full workshop report.

Download the workshop presentation.

The meeting was designed and convened by Aftab Erfan (Director of Dialogue and Conflict Engagement) in collaboration with Lindi Frost (Director of Employee Relations), Shirley Nakata (Ombudsperson for Students) and Tom Scholte (Professor, Department of Theater and Film).

Next steps

  • Incorporate input on the draft framework for conflict engagement and convene a steering committee;
  • Create a user-friendly, searchable list of conflict engagement initiatives at UBC;
  • Create an ongoing Community of Practice of conflict engagement practitioners on each campus;
  • Engage UBC’s leaders in conversations about structural conflicts and their effective engagement;
  • Flesh out the list of Recommendations coming out of this workshop in conversation with relevant offices at UBC, and establish accountability and timelines for moving specific initiatives forward.

News and Stories |

Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters

September 26, 2017

Reconciliation Pole at UBC’s Vancouver campus

In September 1973 Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old and beginning school at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School.  She proudly wore a new, shiny, orange shirt.  Within minutes of her arrival, she was stripped of all her clothes, including her new shirt, which she never saw again.

Each year on September 30th, we recognize Orange Shirt Day as an acknowledgement of the harm that the residential school system did to thousands of indigenous children. At the same time, Orange Shirt Day has come to mean more – it is an opportunity to do anti-racism work and to reinforce anti-bullying policies; it is a time to come together in reconciliation and truth.

Join us and wear orange on September 29th.

At UBC, we are committed to creating a community in which human rights are respected, and equity and inclusion are embedded in all areas of academic, work and campus life.

On April 1st 2017 UBC raised a Reconciliation Pole symbolizing the experiences of residential school students and the path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Likewise, at UBC Okanagan, the Story Poles by Les Louis represent the seven bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and uses ancestral pictographs to tell stories of the different bands.

As a teaching, learning, and research institution, UBC’s efforts are further focused on exploring and advancing knowledge in regards to our collective history and experiences.

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, scheduled to be opened in the 2017-2018 academic year, is one example of these efforts that seeks to further our understanding of the history and lasting effects of Indian residential schools.

The Indigenous Foundations website provides information on the history of Indian residential schools, as well as other key topics related to the histories, politics, and cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

UBC’s Equity & Inclusion Office (Vancouver and Okanagan campus) provides resources, services and workshops that support employment equity, education, leadership and policy initiatives as part of our efforts to create an inclusive, resilient and respectful environment.

UBC recognizes that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people and that the Okanagan campus is situated on the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

Related events

Student Lunch, Aboriginal Collegium, September 29, 12:00 PM
UBC Okanagan Campus

Orange Shirt Day Walk, September 29, 9:30 AM
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Events |

Welcome to UBC’s New Human Rights Advisor

September 14, 2017

I am very pleased to share that Roshni Narain has joined the Equity & Inclusion Office (EIO) as the Human Rights Advisor. Roshni has extensive experience in the fields of human rights and anti-discrimination, sexualized violence and counselling. She arrives to the EIO from the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition where she facilitated the resolution of concerns of discrimination and harassment. Roshni worked as an educator and researcher, she is passionate about social justice and works diligently to support an environment of equity and fairness with a commitment to fostering social change. Using an intersectional framework forged from her considerable experience working on issues of race, gender, sexuality and (dis)ability, Roshni centers a solution-focused approach to enhance positive working environments and relationships.

Working closely with the Director of Dialogue & Conflict Engagement at EIO, and in partnership with a number of colleagues across the institution, Roshni will provide information, support, referrals and resources to members of the UBC community who believe they may have a human-rights based discrimination or harassment concern. She offers a space for confidential conversations that can illuminate options ranging from informal resolution of conflicts to filing a complaint. Her work supports the university’s commitment to meaningful engagement with conflict as a component of creating a respectful and productive work environment at UBC.

Please join me in welcoming Roshni to the Equity & Inclusion Office.

Sara-Jane Finlay
Associate Vice-President
Equity & Inclusion Office

News and Stories |

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