To foster effective dialogue and opportunities for learning and engagement, the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion will be hosting its annual REDI Workshop Series, as well as the Anti-Racism Workshop Series, beginning Sept. 23 live via Zoom.
REDI Workshop Series
The REDI Workshop Series provides York University community members with eight sessions on a range of human rights topics, exploring key principles and practices that help to uphold rights for all.
Attend at least three REDI workshops (90 minutes each) and complete the REDI© Online Tutorial (it is advised that you complete the online tutorial prior to attending the workshops) to receive a REDI Certificate of Completion. The REDI Workshops all run from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and include:
Requesting and Accessing Accommodations – Sept. 30
Participants receive a detailed overview of the rights and responsibilities in the accommodations process based on the Ontario Human Rights Code, such as those involving disability (including mental health), creed (religion) and sex/gender. In addition to learning how to request and respond to accommodation needs, participants will learn strategies that will assist in increasing inclusion and accessibility in the York community.
Creating and Maintaining Positive Space – Oct. 28
This is a “101” session that will explore gender and sexual diversity, as well as homophobia and transphobia specific to the campus experience. Learn about using inclusive language, being a supportive ally, campus resources and creating safer spaces on campus for gender and sexually diverse students, staff and faculty. In addition to being a component of the REDI© certificate, participants will earn a positive space sticker for display in offices or on personal effects.
Addressing and Responding to Sexual Harassment – Nov. 25
In this interactive session, participants will examine various scenarios aimed at obtaining strategies and sharing best practices on how to identify, prevent and respond to instances of sexual harassment on campus.
Acknowledging and Addressing Racism – Dec. 16
Participants gain an understanding of the impact of racially-based microaggressions and implicit bias, and obtain strategies on how to recognize and address these barriers to inclusive spaces on campus.
Academic Integrity and Universal Design – Jan. 20, 2021
Participants develop an understanding of universal design and academic integrity in an educational environment, and consider the ways universal design can become part of a teaching strategy. Discussion and activities will offer opportunities for participants to obtain strategies for ensuring academic integrity while also providing inclusive learning experiences for all.
Challenging Organizational Structures – Feb. 10, 2020
Participants will examine how organizational cultures can perpetuate systemic disadvantages for individuals and groups, and then consider how engagement can create positive impacts and change within organizational cultures.
Recognizing Resilience in Communities – Feb. 24, 2021
Participants will engage in discussions about community resilience in the face of disadvantage and hardship, examining the ways barriers and discrimination shape our perspective of communities under duress. The workshop will help participants consider how to engage and foster inclusivity across multiple groups and spaces.
Freedom of Speech @ York University – March 10, 2021
This workshop is designed to strengthen participants understanding of fundamental freedom of speech rights in a Canadian context, and will explore current conflicts and resolutions in post-secondary institutions.
Register at https://rights.info.yorku.ca/redipd.
Anti-Racism Workshop Series
The Anti-Racism Workshop Series provides a four-part series on the critical components involved in increasing awareness and actions to address concerns of racial discrimination, and enable us to challenge racism in its’ many forms. If participants have attended at least three workshops, they will receive a REDI certificate of participation. The Anti-Racism Workshops all run from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and include:
Acknowledging and Addressing Racism – Sept. 23
This session will be offered in the REDI series on Dec. 16 as well. Participants are welcome to take it again, however, the content will be the same. This workshop will help participants gain an understanding of the impact of racially-based microaggressions and implicit bias, and obtain strategies on how to recognize and address these barriers to inclusive spaces on campus.
Challenging Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions – Oct. 7
This workshop will take a deep dive into forms of unconscious bias, and stereotyping that lead to microaggressions and discriminatory behaviour, and will explores effective strategies to challenge our biases, reframing our ways of thinking and strengthen the experience of inclusion for all.
Racial Inclusion and Employment Equity – Oct. 21
This workshop focuses on racism and discrimination in the workplace, highlighting the relevant policies and laws in place to support efforts that build healthy and inclusive workplace environments and culture.
Intervening on Racism – Nov. 4
Please note that REI strongly recommends participants to have attended at least one of the workshops above before attending this session. This workshop will be highly participation-based, and ask attendees to design strategies and practice tools to intervene on moments of racial discrimination, harassment and microaggressions. Prior familiarity with these concepts is recommended.
Register at https://rights.info.yorku.ca/understanding-racism-a-guide-for-students-faculty-staff.
All workshops are free and open to any member of the York community. Participants are welcome to sign up for any of the sessions they are interested in, by visiting the REI website at www.yorku.ca/rights.