Crossroads event to explore Canada’s role in human rights, equity and inclusion

People walk through Vari Hall, which is located on York U's Keele campus

A two-day collaborative event at York University will seek to explore themes of human rights, equity and inclusion during a period of increasing populism around the world.

“Canada: Inclusion at a Crossroads 2018,” running Oct. 3 and 4, is presented in partnership by Osgoode Hall Law School, the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, the Department of Community Safety, and the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (REI) at York University.

This event is open to all members of the York community, as well as external community members. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited.

Oct. 3 will feature a panel discussion from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the theme “Equity and Inclusion in the Era of Racial Backlash” in the Helliwell Centre, 1014 Osgoode Hall Law School. The discussion will be moderated by Michael F. Charles, executive director, REI, and feature the following panellists: Sunil Gurmukh, counsel, Ontario Human Rights Commission; Arleen Huggins, partner, Koskie Minsky LLP; Chizoba Imoka, PhD candidate, Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto; and Enakshi Dua, associate professor, equity studies, York University.

Oct. 4 will feature a panel focusing on “Challenging Hate: Human Rights, Freedom, and Responsibilities” in the Helliwell Centre, 1014 Osgoode Hall Law School, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The discussion will be moderated by Osgoode Professor Lorne Sossin and feature the following panellists: Shaheen Azmi, director of policy, education, monitoring and outreach, Ontario Human Rights Commission; Benjamin Berger, professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University; and Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, director, Equality Program, Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

These events bring together multi-sector panellists with diverse professional and personal expertise to discuss Canada’s ongoing efforts to address anti-Semitism, equity and inclusion in an environment complicated by rising populism and intolerance.

For more information, visit the event website; to register, visit this link.

REI is committed to promoting the principles of equity and inclusion on its campuses. As part of these efforts, it seeks to bring open and honest conversations to the forefront, raise awareness and work with the community to drive these values throughout the University’s activities.