York University will join millions worldwide in celebrating the 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Racism (IDER) on March 22. The day aims to remind people of racial discrimination’s negative consequences. It also encourages people to remember their obligation and determination to combat racial discrimination.
With support from the Canada @150 grant provided by York University and the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Diversity, the Race Inclusion & Supportive Environments (RISE) Committee at York University will be celebrating IDER with a symposium on March 22, beginning at 10am in 519 Kaneff Tower.
The event will comprise a panel presentation on the topic “Race and Intersectionality: Past and Present Activism on Campus.” Presenters will include Bonita Lawrence; Lorne Foster; Karissa John, president of the Aboriginal Student Association; Roshni Raveenthiran, chair of United South Asians at York; and Sam Tecle, sociology PhD candidate.
The lunch keynote address from noon to 1pm will be delivered by Rabia Kehdr on the topic “Islamophobia, Inclusion & Postsecondary.” Kehdr is an alumna of Critical Disability Studies at York and was recently appointed as a commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She is founder of the Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities and the executive director of the Muslim Council of Peel. Most notably, Kehdr received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for her leadership and community contributions.
To register or for more information, visit rights.info.yorku.ca/race-inclusion-and-supportive-environments-150 or contact Jodie Glean at jglean@yorku.ca.