In today’s diverse higher education environment, inclusive communication is not just an option but a necessity. This session aims to equip higher education professionals with the knowledge and strategies to better understand, identify, engage on and communicate observances important to diverse communities. From religious holidays to cultural heritage months, recognizing these events helps build an inclusive campus environment in which diverse community members can see themselves reflected in, promotes mutual respect, and enhances student, staff and faculty understanding of and engagement with equity and anti-racism.

We’ll explore emerging practices to consult and collaborate with communities on communication initiatives, develop tools and mechanisms to better cooordinate amongst institutional communication partners (particularly of relevance to those in large, decentralized organizations), and assess and develop appropriate communication and engagement approaches – including social media, programming considerations and leadership messaging. We’ll share experiences and invite a participatory discussion on promising practices and ways to navigate expectations, manage reactive situations and take on proactive approaches. Participants will better understand how these efforts help cultivate knowledge and inspire behaviour change to build a more inclusive university community.

Delve into essential components: understanding the rich tapestry of observances, crafting dynamic communication strategies for diverse audiences, embedding observances into the fabric of institutional communications, and measuring outcomes. Walk away with actionable insights and strategies to cultivate inclusivity, elevate awareness of equity and anti-racism, and ignite community engagement through vibrant observance communication initiatives at your institution.

This session is tailored for professionals looking to optimize the celebration of key observances crucial to our diverse student, faculty, and staff communities. Leave equipped with actionable insights to drive inclusivity, elevate cultural awareness, and enhance community engagement through impactful observance initiatives at your institution.

University of British Columbia campuses are situated within the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, and in the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples.