Diversity Month events celebrate our differences

UVic is a diverse community made up of individuals from various ethnic groups, cultures, religions, genders, ages, socioeconomic status and sexual orientations. Diversity Month, which kicks off on March 3, is intended to celebrate our differences and promote a respectful and inclusive community.

The month is centred around International Women’s Day on March 8 and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. To honour these special days, there’ll be a wide variety of activities throughout the month to promote diversity awareness and learning opportunities.

“We need only look at our student community to see what diversity means on this campus,” says Linda Sproule-Jones, director of the office of equity issues, which co-ordinates Diversity Month. “There’s so much interest in diversity issues that we’ve dedicated an entire month to the topic.”

Diversity Month, which began as Diversity Week, was created on the heels of the 1998 Voices for Change report, which recommended ways to eliminate racism, ethnocentrism and cultural insensitivity at UVic. It also ties in with UVic’s strategic plan, A Vision for the Future, which emphasizes diversity and equality on campus.

Some of this year’s events include a presentation by B.C. Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo on March 6, a discussion on anti-racist teaching on March 21, and various multicultural meals around campus.

“We hope that people will come to the events, gain a greater understanding of the issues, and translate that knowledge into action,” says Sproule-Jones.

The events are sponsored by various departments and groups around campus. Students, staff, faculty and the general public are encouraged to attend. For more information, check the online UVic calendar of events at communications.uvic.ca/events.