UBC is committed to advancing Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (EDI) through our Inclusion Action Plan, and by working together, moving our ideas into actions. This is a journey everyone in the university is taking to transform and improve our workplaces and learning environments.
In the VPFO, we’re working to foster an environment where we treat each other with respect, fairness and dignity — all essential for our collective health, well-being and success. To make this work, we will each have to make our own efforts to eliminate bias and inequity.
An opportunity for self-reflection and growth
It’s not enough to just be complacent, confident in our own good intentions. We each have to take an active role to develop a healthy, equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can feel they belong. Change will require reflection and true, thoughtful action from each of us.
To help all of us on our journey, the VPFO EDI committee has produced a series of self-paced EDI canvas courses, available on UBC Workplace Learning (WPL). These courses are designed to help us all raise our awareness on some challenging topics and offer opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
You may ask, “why do I need to take these courses? I’m familiar with EDI and I’m already caring and respectful to my colleagues.” The answer is no different than how we use mandatory health and safety training to support our safety culture. To effectively address racism, injustice, and oppression, we will need a common vocabulary and tools. The act of educating ourselves demonstrates our true commitment and ally-ship to elevate historically and systemically marginalized groups.
Let’s all complete the mandatory EDI training
Our next step is that each of you take the time to complete the mandatory EDI training courses, and review the resources available on our VPFO website’s EDI section.
If you have already taken the courses, thank you for your efforts in making the VPFO and UBC a more inclusive and welcoming workplace. If you require support, your managers and supervisors will work with you to ensure that the courses are delivered either in-person, in groups or that you are able to individually take them on-line. Your supervisors will be following up to ensure we have all made a meaningful effort to complete the training.
This is only our first step in our critical journey of incorporating EDI principles fully within our workplace culture.
Thank you for supporting this important work through your active participation in the training