Five diverse activities you cannot miss

With Diversity Days this year, the campus community can attend more than 25 different activities over three days — but it creates another problem. Which one should you choose?

“Every activity is interesting and is being presented for an important informational purpose,” says Valerie Pruegger, PhD, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Protected Disclosure (ODEPD). “It’s a real challenge to choose between a number of thought-provoking options for this year’s Diversity Days. Our partners have done an exceptional job highlighting an array of topics.”

While all the activities have something to offer, here are five activities you do not want to miss:

1. Deans for Diversity: Deans from across campus will discuss how they are enacting diversity and equity goals in their faculties to achieve inclusion and ensure that students and staff, regardless of background or group identity, have a positive and productive experience on our campuses. Jan. 30, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
2. Defining Diversity Video Booth: Located across campus over the three days, you can leave a short message about diversity. North Courtyard, MacEwan Student Centre.
3. Provocative and Inspiring Talks: UCalgary experts will share reflections and stories on a variety of topics, like Indigenous perspectives of Canada 150, allyship and creating change, fostering diversity superpowers, expression in identity, and the controversy around historic monuments in Canada. Jan. 31, 2 to 4 p.m.
4. Superheroes, Censorship and Social Justice: Explore the history and evolution of social justice in superhero comics and the ways censorship prevented comic creators from tackling many social justice themes. Jan. 31, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
5. Love & Diversity – Right To Love Photo Exhibit: The Right To Love (R2L) exhibit was created by a group of people with disabilities and their allies who believe in every person’s right to love. Join a guided roundtable discussion with R2L members and their allies to provide a positive framework for conversation about this issue. Feb. 1, 1 to 3 p.m; exhibit runs until Feb. 9.

Diversity Days also takes place on Bell Let’s Talk Day, a time to challenge stigma associated with mental illness. Share your tweets using #BellLetsTalk and #UCalgary to get the conversation going, and explore the mental health supports and activities available. 

Check out the full schedule of events.