The Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (REI) helps facilitate learning to instill human rights, equity and inclusion in all facets of York’s operations and governance.
We provide workshops, training, community events, and knowledge exchange opportunities that:
- Support students, staff and faculty in navigating current REI trends and topics;
- Showcase community thought-leaders; and
- Support the development of a culture of respect, equity, diversity and inclusion at York University.
Training and Workshop Requests
With a focus on facilitating equitable and inclusive dialogue, training sessions are available by request to faculty, staff and students.
Complete our online form to request a workshop. Please note, under regular circumstances, we require at least three weeks’ notice to schedule and prepare training.
Off-the-Shelf Training Sessions
*note all sessions (titles bolded) below listed as drop-down options
Requesting and Accessing Accommodations
Participants receive a detailed overview of the rights and responsibilities in the accommodations process based on the Ontario Human Rights Code, such as those involving disability (including mental health), creed (religion), and sex/gender.
In addition to learning how to request and respond to accommodation needs, participants will learn strategies that will assist in increasing inclusion and accessibility in the York community.
Creating and Maintaining Positive Space
This is a “101” session that will explore gender and sexual diversity, as well as homophobia and transphobia specific to the campus experience. Learn about using inclusive language, being a supportive ally, campus resources, and creating safer spaces on campus for gender and sexually diverse students, staff and faculty.
Addressing and Responding to Sexual Harassment
In this interactive session, participants will examine various scenarios aimed at obtaining strategies and sharing best practices on how to identify, prevent, and respond to instances of sexual harassment on campus
Acknowledging and Addressing Racism
Participants gain an understanding of the impact of racially-based microaggressions and implicit bias. and obtain strategies on how to recognize and address these barriers to inclusive spaces on campus.
How to Integrate Employment Equity and Racial Inclusion
Employees gain an understanding of the impact of microaggressions and implicit bias on racial equity in the workplace and share best practices for reducing and eliminating these barriers.
Human Rights 101
This workshop is for students participating in a work-study program. At the end of the workshop, participants will:
- Understand the Ontario Human Rights Code (1962) and its implications for building a respectful workplace culture
- Discuss key human rights terms and definitions and apply this information in potential workplace case scenarios
- Share best practices and strategies for providing inclusive and equitable services
Unconscious Bias
Participants become aware of unconscious bias and perception filters. Through the session, participants:
- Understand that there are factors in your decision-making that you are not aware of
- Brainstorm strategies to change our behaviour and ways of thinking
- Increase your capacity as inclusive leaders
Inclusive Leadership
Through this leadership, participants will:
- Reinforce common understandings of key principles related to inclusive leadership and advocacy;
- Build capacity of participants to support their peers and lead with awareness of their own positionality; and
- Practice applying effective leadership strategies.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
This introductory session will help participants gain an understanding key terms, principles, and policies that frame and inform diversity and inclusion practices. Through discussion and reflection, participants will have an opportunity to strengthen their ability to foster inclusive spaces within the York community.
Academic Integrity and Universal Design
Participants will:
- Develop an understanding of universal design and academic integrity in an educational environment;
- Consider the ways universal design can become part of a teaching strategy; and
- Obtain strategies for ensuring academic integrity while also providing inclusive learning experiences.
Challenging Organizational Structures
Participants will:
- Develop an understanding on how organizational cultures can perpetuate systemic disadvantages;
- Participants will be given an overview of rights and responsibilities within diverse organizational environments; and
- Consider how engagement can create positive impacts and change within organizational cultures.
Freedom of Speech at York University
Participants will:
- Understand freedom of speech in a Canadian context;
- Overview and discussion about current controversies and resolutions; and
- Understand what is considered private speech and what is considered public speech.
Recognizing Resilience in Communities
Participants will:
- Engage in discussions about community resilience in the face of disadvantage and hardship;
- Consider the ways barriers and discrimination shape our perspective of communities under duress; and
- Reconsider how to engage and foster inclusivity across multiple groups and spaces.
Reconnaître et aborder le racisme
Cet atelier aidera les participants à comprendre comment se manifeste le racisme, et quels sont ses impacts. Les participants découvriront des stratégies visant à éliminer les obstacles aux espaces inclusifs et s'exerceront à interrompre les commentaires racistes.
Cette session sera présentée en français.
Dialogue Across Difference
Through a series of engaging activities and reflection exercises participants who take part in this workshop will be able to:
- Identify personal limitations to engagement in dialogue across differences.
- Identify what they need to engage in meaningful conversation though respectful dialogue without the intention of persuasion.
- Develop personal strategies to manage emotions in order to look past individual differences and hear the humanity of someone’s lived experiences.
This workshop is developed and delivered in partnership with Student Community Leadership and Development (SCLD)
Orienting Yourself to Allyship
Through a series of engaging activities and reflection exercises participants who take part in this workshop will be able to:
- Contextualize their social location based on their identity.
- Deepen their understanding of allyship in a personal and institutional setting.
- Practice active allyship and develop strategies to have brave conversations.
This workshop is developed and delivered in partnership with Student Community Leadership and Development (SCLD).
The Construction and Maintenance of Systemic Racism
This session will explore the history of race and racism and how it is maintained today in institutions across Canada. This workshop is designed to complement other institutional anti-racism work and is heavily information focused, aiming to give context to what is happening in our world today. Unlike other sessions, the emphasis is less on skill-building and more on awareness-building and we strongly encourage participants to take this session in conjunction with other anti-racism workshops with more action-oriented content.
Accessing and Providing Family Status Accommodations
In this workshop, you'll learn more about what family status accommodation is and how to respond to requests. Participants will receive an overview of the rights and responsibilities in the accommodations process based on the Ontario Human Rights Code and relevant policies at York University, as well as some strategies that will assist in increasing inclusion and accessibility in the York community.
Students
Student Leaders
Are you a student leader with a passion for upholding human rights and creating equitable, inclusive communities?
We have partnered with Student Community and Leadership Development (SCLD) to embed human rights, equity and inclusion content into York’s student leadership programs.
Visit the SCLD webpage, or contact chrwkshp@yorku.ca to learn more and get involved.
Are you REDI©? Get your certificate
Our REDI© (Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) training series can help you gain information and develop skills to promote equity and inclusion at York and beyond.
Attend at least three of the following workshops to receive a REDI© certificate of completion.
You can also register for the February 2021 Anti-Racism Series, each session of which counts towards a REDI© certificate.
Register for the Anti-Racism Series today!
Request a workshop
Are you interested in training for your club, unit or group?
Fill out our training request form and we’ll be in touch!
Staff
REDI© Certificate Training Series
Our REDI© (Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) training series can help you gain information and develop skills to promote equity and inclusion at York and beyond.
The REDI© series is part of the YELC employee training offered in partnership with Talent Acquisition and Development.
Attend at least three sessions to receive your REDI© certificate of completion. Training can also be tracked as part of employee professional development and learning plans.
You can also register for the February 2021 Anti-Racism Series, each session of which counts towards a REDI© certificate.
Register for the Anti-Racism Series today!
Request a workshop
Are you interested in training for your unit, department, or group?
Fill out our training request form and we’ll be in touch!
Faculty
Knowledge Exchange
Throughout the 2019-2020 academic year, REI will host a knowledge exchange series featuring thought-leaders who are advancing human rights, equity and inclusion through their teaching and research.
The series will highlight innovative faculty and graduate students at York and within the GTA, will stimulate dialogue, and will help highlight York University’s contributions as a leader in the sphere of human rights, equity and inclusion.
Check back soon for more details!
REDI© Certificate Training Series
Our REDI© (Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) training series can help you gain information and develop skills to promote equity and inclusion at York and beyond.
Attend at least three sessions to receive a REDI© certificate of completion.
You can also register for the February 2021 Anti-Racism Series, each session of which counts towards a REDI© certificate.
Register for the Anti-Racism Series today!
Request a workshop
Are you interested in training for your unit, department, or group?
Fill out our training request form and we’ll be in touch!
Connect with an Education & Communications Advisor
- Discuss a training session for your group/unit
- Strategize about how to apply human rights, equity, and inclusion to your portfolios
- Learn how to use the Inclusion Lens to plan your events
