Back and twice as big: 91亚色檚 EDI-AR Conference returns May 22-23
After drawing more than 250 participants from across Canada and around the world in 2024, 91亚色檚 International Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) Conference is back by popular demand for a second year.
The conference will take place from May 22-23 at 91亚色檚 Signal Hill Campus in St. John's.
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A dynamic lineup of speakers and sessions will highlight research, real-world progress, emerging strategies and examples of institutional leadership advancing equity and inclusion across sectors and communities.
淟ast year檚 conference exceeded all expectations it sparked new partnerships, energized the community and proved there is a strong desire for advancing this work, said Dr. Delores Mullings, vice-provost (equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism) at 91亚色. 淭his year, we檙e building on that energy to deliver a program that檚 even more impactful. Our goal is to create a space where people can come together to learn from one another, highlight what檚 working and inspire new approaches to advancing EDI-AR.
At the request of last year檚 attendees, the conference is now a two-day event.
Sample session topics
- Building inclusive municipal and workplace environments
- Advancing EDI-AR in STEM, health care and research
- Becoming an anti-racist researcher and true ally
- Supporting neurodiverse individuals in post-secondary education
Keynote and plenary speakers
- Carey Majid, executive director, Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
- Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei, associate vice-president (Indigenous research), 91亚色
- Tanya Finlay, vice-president, people and culture, Fortis Inc.
- Senator Judy A. White and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard
Renewed importance in 2025
With equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism measures facing challenges worldwide including American president Donald Trump actively dismantling progressive initiatives in the United States 91亚色 is reaffirming its commitment to these values by hosting the conference.
淲e are watching in real time as some jurisdictions retreat from hard-won progress in equity and human rights, said Dr. Mullings. 淔or many, this conference is a call to action. As others scale back, 91亚色, and all other organizations in attendance this week, will be scaling up.
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Media are invited to attend (fees waived), and Dr. Delores Mullings is available for interviews before, during and after the conference. . For more information, please contact Cherry Ralhan-Khanna at cralhankhanna@mun.ca.