Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization

What is Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization?

• • • Equity: Equity is concerned with justice and fairness. Equity is a state of being, a process, and a condition that is rooted in fundamental human rights, and, therefore, is not reliant on individual choice or voluntarism. Whereas equality may lead to an assumption of an even playing field, and may shape individual and institutional efforts to treat people the same, equity requires more; it is about understanding and accommodating difference and providing people with what they need to enter and thrive within the academy. Equity requires proactively identifying and combatting discriminatory ideas, attitudes, behaviours, as well as systems, policies, processes, and practices that lead to disadvantage. It is concerned with a legal and ethical commitment to doing what is right and necessary to achieve such a state through proactive measures to identify root causes, and design interventions to remove obstacles to fair opportunities and experiences in all spheres of academic life.
    • Diversity: Diversity is about the individual. It is about the variety of unique dimensions, qualities, and characteristics we all possess, and the mix that occurs in any group of people. Race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, economic status, physical abilities, life experiences, and other perspectives can make up individual diversity. Diversity is a fact, and inclusion is a choice.
    • Inclusion: Inclusion is a skillset and a condition that must be cultivated and that require resources to advance an equitable and fairer academy. Inclusion entails interconnected actions to dismantle barriers that impede participation, engagement, representation, and empowerment of members of diverse social identities and from various backgrounds in the life of the academy. Inclusion means that we design our educational and cultural spaces from the beginning so that they can be used fully by all peoples and all communities. Inclusion foregrounds the social and institutional relations of power and privilege, drawing necessary attention to who gets a seat and voice at the decision-making tables, and who is empowered by institutional processes, policies, systems, and structures.
    • Decolonization: Decolonization is a necessary and ongoing process of unlearning, uncovering, and transforming legacies of colonialism, as well as utilizing the educational and knowledge systems available to relearn and rebuild the social, cultural, and linguistic foundations that were lost, or eroded through colonialism. Decolonization also requires making space, balancing, generating, and enabling diverse knowledge systems to thrive in the academy as well as in and through educational and knowledge transmitting places for Indigenous Peoples, the formerly colonized or continuing colonized nations, peoples, and cultural knowledge systems.  
    • Sources: Western Equity Diversity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.

   

   

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Reporting Harassment and/or Discrimination to the Western Human Rights Office

The Western Human Rights Office (HRO) is here to help and provide advice and support to all members of Western's campus community (i.e., including undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, staff, and faculty of the Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology). The following desribes the options available to you for reporting harassment and discrimination through the HRO.

• What Can I Report?
• The HRO can be contacted to report both Human Rights-based harassment and discrimination (sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, islamophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, and ableism) and non-Human Rights-based harassment (personal harassment and workplace harassment). The HRO can be contacted for both experienced and/or witnessed harassment and discrimination.
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• What Happens Next?
• The HRO will be in touch with you to offer information and support.  In most cases, the HRO will offer you a confidential consultation meeting.  You should hear from the HRO within 48 hours. It is important to note that contacting the HRO does NOT mean you have to file a formal compaint.  The HRO will go over all options with you.
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• What Options will I Have?
• The HRO will explain the options and resources available to you:
  • Choose an alternate resolution: the HRO will help you explore other ideas and options for support.
  • File a formal complaint and request an investigation.
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• For more information on the HRO reporting system Click Here.
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• Contact the Human Rights Office: Email- humanrights@uwo.ca
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• Click the button below to report harassment and/or discrimination to the Human Rights Office.

EDI-D Resources

Glossary of Terms