When I applied for the diversity scholarship, I did it under the broader understanding of what diversity means to me. I believe true diversity includes race, religion, marital status, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation and importantly to me… age. As I later discovered, a broad definition similar to this had already been established by the diversity commission.
It has been an honor and privilege working with the commission and I wish you the best in continuing to meet the ever changing diversity needs of the university and the surrounding community. Take care and God bless!
Sincerely in warm regards,
Question: What does the word ‘diversity’ mean to you?
Large group session/personal reflection exercise
Introduction
This report contains the ideas, knowledge and insight that took place over a three and a half day session in Sackville, New Brunswick. The Youth For Diversity Project, aims to bring approximately 25 youth together in one arena to discuss, debate and create ideas and plans around the issue of diversity. Half of the session was spent looking at the individual and group definitions of diversity, with sessions that included both reflective and group exercises. Small groups were formed to further flesh out concepts around diversity—racism, ageism, sexual orientation, access to resources, etc.—to further understand the impact that diversity has had on us and those around us. To add to these sessions, four guest speakers were invited to address the group around particular issues that are present in our communities. The guest speaker topics ranged from immigration and refugee issues, queer youth issues, the Black Loyalists of New Brunswick and hate crimes which involve South-Asian and Muslim youth.
The other half of the session was spent trying to understand and raise awareness to the participants about how each individual can make a difference in their communities. This by no means implies that the individuals...