I want to start this month’s message by reflecting on the recent 2024 CCDI UnConference. I am overwhelmed by the positive energy, insightful discussions, and the sheer passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that was palpable throughout the event. A heartfelt thank you to Indigenous Elder Sally Milne, all the speakers, our many sponsors, and, most importantly, each one of you who joined us. Your commitment to learning from one another and advancing DEI in our communities and workplaces is truly inspiring.
Looking forward, I am thrilled to announce the guest for the March edition of our Leader Talks podcast, Shari Graydon. Shari's impressive career as a print and broadcast columnist, best-selling author, and an award-winning advocate for women speaks volumes about her dedication to elevating the voices of diverse women in media. With her leadership at Informed Opinions, she has empowered thousands of subject matter experts to share their knowledge widely and effectively. I eagerly anticipate our discussion on amplifying diverse women's voices and learning about her initiatives supporting strong communication skills among diverse women.
March also marks an exciting time as CCDI, being a proud part of the Global Inclusion and Diversity Alliance (GIDA), gears up for the NGO Committee on the Status of Women 68 Forum in New York. This two-week event, featuring over 700 sessions, showcases the global dedication to gender equity. The session in which GIDA will be participating, "Who speaks for who?", will delve into the importance of centering the voices of women who face heightened marginalization. It will be my privilege to present the Canadian perspective to this vital discussion, underscoring the importance of actively listening to and comprehending the varied experiences of women, particularly those facing intersecting forms of marginalization.
Moreover, I am delighted to moderate a panel at the upcoming Metropolis Canada - Francophonie Mondiale Congress on March 11. This French virtual event will focus on the crucial topic of skill (non-)recognition, exploring the challenges and initiatives in skill and experience recognition across Canada, Morocco, Senegal, and within international organisations. It's an opportunity to shed light on the UNESCO priority of recognizing prior learnings and the societal and individual impacts of our current practices.
As we continue to push boundaries and champion DEI across all spheres, these opportunities to connect, learn, and share are invaluable. Your ongoing support and participation make all the difference. Here's to a future where every voice is heard, valued, and amplified.
Warm regards,
Anne-Marie Pham
CEO
Diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to evolve and adoption has become a priority for many organizations in Canada. While there is growing recognition of the importance of creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, staying up to date on the latest developments is equally important to continue the path to a more equitable society for all.
We are excited to announce the CCDI Community of Practice events taking place in person and virtually throughout the spring months of May and June. Entitled Bridging differences: Generative dialogue as a catalyst for DEI transformation, these highly interactive sessions ensure an immersive experience where participants will be introduced to the concept of generative dialogue – a conversational process designed to deepen understanding and foster the emergence of new insights – within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We’ll introduce the World Café method as a structured approach for facilitating impactful conversations that can lead to meaningful organizational change. Participants will leave equipped with the tools and insights needed to facilitate these transformative dialogues in their own workplaces, creating more inclusive, understanding, and equitable environments. Stay tuned for further details on CCDI Community of Practice events registration in the coming weeks.
Looking to actively contribute to DEI initiatives in Canada? Consider hosting one of our in-person CCDI Community of Practice events to drive change and elevate your brand! 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. For more information, fill out the sponsorship form.
Special thanks to the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation for being our Advocate sponsors at CCDI UnConference 2024. We are grateful for their commitment to DEI and the invaluable contributions to make UnConference an enriching and memorable experience.
Last call for spring CCIPTM registration
Register now to become a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional (CCIP™), the first professional certification for diversity, equity and inclusion practitioners in Canada. It is designed to formalize and present the breadth and depth of your professional experience to employers.
Registration for our spring 2024 batch is open until March 5; exams will take place April 16.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion councils and committees This toolkit builds on CCDI’s 2017 toolkit, “Diversity and inclusion councils”. This version, create in 2023, has been updated with recent research and resources to bring fresh perspectives and insights about DEI councils. Download the toolkit.
Glottophobia blog post Dive into the concept of language discrimination, also known as "glottophobia," with our latest blog post by Iván Barradas, Bilingual Facilitator at CCDI. Discover how this issue is often overlooked in workplaces yet remains prevalent across Canada. Learn more about glottophobia.
Together we are shaping more equitable workplaces, schools and communities through our Employer Partners, moving towards a truly inclusive Canada. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Employer Partners.
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