I trust this message finds you well and in high spirits as we embrace the warmth of summer. It's a wonderful time to unwind, bond with loved ones, and relish the beauty of the season.
Last month, I had a great time at our first-ever all-team retreat in Calgary. It was a truly momentous occasion as we came together, forging stronger connections and fostering teamwork through engaging exercises. The retreat was filled with memorable moments, including a spirited karaoke competition and an enlightening KAIROS blanket exercise, guided by an esteemed Indigenous Elder and Knowledge Keepers. Personally, it was a transformative experience, and I am immensely grateful to have shared it with the incredible CCDI team. These cherished memories will remain with me always.
I also wanted to underline a fantastic initiative called “No Canada Without Me”, spearheaded by the Action! Chinese Canadians Together Foundation and the Asian Heritage Foundation. This project involved collaboration with talented visual artists and storytellers to visually depict and narrate the profound experiences of Asian Canadians. Launched on the centennial anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the project aimed to validate their history, raise awareness about racial inequities, and counter anti-Asian racism sparked by the pandemic. If you were in Calgary, I hope you had the opportunity to witness this impactful presentation.
Furthermore, I invite you to join me for this month’s episode of the Leader Talks podcast, when we feature the expertise of Zuraida Dada, a psychologist and human resources consultant. Released in conjunction with International Self-Care Day on July 24, our discussion centers around her DEI-focused approach to psychology, destigmatizing mental health care, and implementing practices that foster mental well-being in the workplace. I guarantee it will be an enlightening conversation you won't want to miss.
As we move forward into this month, I wish every one of you a fantastic July. Take time to relax, rejuvenate, and create cherished memories. See you in August!
Thanks,
Anne-Marie Pham
CEO
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion is pleased to announce its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network Canada to develop and facilitate a series of tailored workshops that will provide a roadmap and tested strategies to help organizations who are currently participating in the 50-30 Challenge.
These workshops are designed to build capacity among 50-30 Challenge participants to incorporate diversity and inclusion, gender equality, human rights, decent work principles, and sustainable development goals into their organizational culture and operations.
The goal of the 50-30 Challenge is to increase diverse representation in businesses, nonprofits, and institutions across Canada. When signing up for the Challenge, organizations commit to meeting the following targets:
50% representation of women or gender non-binary individuals on boards and/or in senior management roles
30% representation of equity-deserving groups (racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, persons with a disability, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community) on boards and/or in senior management roles
Looking to actively contribute to DEI initiatives in Canada? Consider hosting one of our in-person CCDI Community of Practice events! As a host, you would provide a conference-like space with a presentation screen and tables for collaborative small group discussions. Light refreshments for 50-100 participants would also be required.
We're excited to offer both in-person and virtual sessions this fall, in October and November 2023. These three-hour gatherings create a nurturing environment, empowering participants to explore and deepen their understanding of various DEI topics. Regardless of familiarity, our events promise a unique and enriching learning experience.
Interested in hosting an in-person Community of Practice event session? For more information, email events@ccdi.ca.
By becoming a CCIP™, you contribute to the establishment of formal national standards for the DEI profession in Canada, filling a void that currently exists. With your participation, we can elevate the standards and national profile of this important profession in our country.
Don't miss your chance to become a CCIP™. Registration for our fall 2023 batch closes on September 5, and exams will be held on October 17.
We work closely with employers because we know that when the workplace is inclusive, positive effects are felt by the broader community. Join us in welcoming the latest addition to our unparalleled Employer Partner roster.