Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Diversity is recognizing our individual differences. Differences can be age, gender, race, place of origin, color, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, marital status, family status and culture. 

Differences can also be in our values, talents, work experience, language, and communication skills. 

Diversity is about respecting, understanding, valuing, and leveraging our differences in ideas, perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, skills, experiences and needs to create and maximize opportunities and potentials for individual, community, and business growth. (Veenstra 2011)

Diversity and inclusion are complex issues and intersectionality helps us understand that “social issues cannot be explored in isolation, as different identities such as race, gender, age etc., intersect each person’s life and produce different privilege or oppression”.

This course aims to help participants better understand and address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, while giving participants the opportunity to challenge their views and opinions.