‘Prioritize social justice for all’: KPU hosts 3rd symposium on anti-racism
The annual event will feature a keynote from MLA George Anderson and the launch of KPU’s first anti-racism toolkit
The Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities' annual anti-racism symposium will feature presentations from KPU students, faculty, and staff. (Submitted)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities will hold its third annual symposium on anti-racism on March 21 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Cedar Conference Centre at the Surrey campus.
The event will aim to share anti-racism research, scholarship, and innovation while promoting conversations about addressing racism.
In an email statement to The Runner, Asma Sayed, vice-president of equity and inclusive communities, wrote that one of the 64 recommendations highlighted in the KPU Task Force on Anti-Racism’s final report from October 2022 was to establish an Anti-Racism at KPU Day for a yearly full-day symposium.
“Following up on this recommendation, we have been hosting an annual symposium since 2023 on March 21 to align with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” Sayed wrote. “Our first two symposiums have been very successful.”
The symposium is designed to “discuss and encourage confronting racism and to share internal and external research, scholarship, and creativity on racism/anti-racism.”
At this year’s event, Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson will give a keynote speech. Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism and Surrey-Newton MLA Jessie Sunner will also deliver remarks.
In the afternoon, the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities will unveil its first anti-racism toolkit, which the office created in collaboration with KPU’s Teaching and Learning Commons.
“We will then have presentations by our employees and students,” Sayed wrote.
“The subject matter of the presentations ranges from the role of art in combating racism; to 2SLGBTQIA+ students’ experiences of racism on university campuses; and raising self-awareness about one’s role as a teacher and ally through learning more about EDI.”
The Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities encouraged students, faculty, and staff across KPU to “submit proposals showcasing research, scholarship, and creativity focused on anti-racism topics and initiatives,” the event’s website reads.
The submissions were due in early February and could include presentations on topics such as anti-Indigenous racism in academia and/or beyond, the role of art and creativity in fostering anti-racism, and anti-racist ways of knowing, among others. A committee formed by the office was tasked with reviewing the proposals.
Sayed wrote the office is excited about providing an opportunity for learning, discussions, and dialogue through the symposium.
“As an institution, KPU continues to prioritize social justice for all,” she added.
“It is important for us to continue to learn and engage with issues that are important for building equitable and inclusive institutions and societies. Unfortunately, racism is embedded in our social and institutional structures and systems, and we all must work to dismantle colonial structures and foster anti-racism.”
For more information about the symposium, visit www.kpu.ca/oeic/events.
