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

Think outside the box! What do you feel this word really means to you? To your community? To your country? To the world? Can there ever be 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 diversityracism, 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 present were not already contributing members to their communities. In fact, it was the exact opposite. There were youth who were working at local youth centres, board members of national organizations, already actively involved in community groups and program officers at non-governmental organizations. We were ready to hear from the participants on how-to become involved, we knew that the knowledge was not going to given to them, but equally shared between each and every participant. Sessions included talking about what skills and knowledge we need to succeed, identifying ways in which youth can get involved at all levels, and finally, the opportunity to flesh out a personal action plan, complete

with an bartering exercise where people identified their skills and needs and shared them with others in the group, in order to find someone else who can offer or take. THE AGENDA The following sections are the outcomes of the small and large group discussions that took place over the weekend. There has been no synthesizing or paraphrasing, only redundant statements have been omitted. Question: What does the word diversity mean to you?
Large group session/personal reflection exercise

Think outside the box! What do you feel this word really means to you? To your community? To your country? To the world? Can there ever be Every person or group has unique characteristics, abilities, beliefs, opinions, traditions, and appearances that can be different from others around them. Diversity means to me all types of religions, races, ethnicities, cultures, etc., living in harmony, free of any and all prejudices. Equality and diversity should go hand in hand. Diversity can refer to many variations of experiences, backgrounds, values, beliefs, etc. present within our communities and our world. The existence and, more importantly, the acceptance of differences or heterogeneity in class, colour, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical capabilities, and other cultural, social and political backgrounds. A celebration of individuality Dissimilarity and variety. A variety of people working together as a whole and not letting differences divide them.

Some key words:

Strength Activism self

Understanding Variety

Respect Equality

Celebration Definition of

Question: What are some of the issues around diversity that are found in your community?
Large group brainstorm/small group work

Is racial profiling an issue in your community? Are hate crimes based on sexual orientation an issue? Has something been in the news lately about GENDER:
High violence against crimes that go unspoken in society 30% wage gap in between the women and men Societal pressures on gender stereotypesi.e. Role of genders in the home

FORMAL AND INFORMAL PLACES OF LEARNING

Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Concordia Lack of education of diversity in the school Tackling discrimination in the classroom

PUBLIC POLICY

Only french-english interpreters available in community hospitals Immigration policies are racist and classist Language laws (Bill 101) Denial of systemic and institutional oppression Sunday shoppinglaws against businesses who open on Sundays

VIOLENCE

Swarming of newcomer youth in schools and communitiesbeing attacked/intimidated by other youth Bullying

ABILITY ISSUES

Autistic children in schools Access to public buildings is not universal in the form of ramps, elevators, etc. Little services available for employment searchend up in menial jobs and are not able to reach potential. The assumption of peoples ability creates barriers.

REGIONAL DIVERSITY

Small communities tend to be very homogenous are sometimes reluctant to accept/understand/respect differences Small communities are growing with diverse populations The perception that Canada ends at Nova Scotia Rural and urban dichotomy

AGEISM

Teenagers are a target for discrimination They are perceived as immature, inexperienced, lacking in resources, capable of delinquency, brushed off Older people are perceived as immobile, no longer contributing to society, old dog cant learn new tricks mentality which is in society.

MEDIA

Ignoring presence of hate crimes Murders of trans-gendered youth which is not covered in the media The mis-representation of various groups in the media Rarely makes stories of equity or inequality prevalent. Visible discrimination in advertisements and ads

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Hate crimes on university campuses In smaller communities, it is hard for people of different sexual orientation to be themselves. The clash of religion and sexuality, school boards deny education of sexual orientation issues Same sex marriages Invisibility in rural communities, lack of role models and finding a partner The risk of losing parents, grandparents due to intolerance and no acceptance.

ACCESS TO RESOURCES/SERVICES (In relation to socio-economic status)

People rely on possessions to gain superiority over others. Economic status The notion that people on welfare should be made to work for assistance Poverty and marginalization Urban poverty Working class discrimination Access to a university education Social hierarchies based on income and socio-economic status The unequal distribution of power in society Access to adequate employment The disparity between rural and urban centres and their access to services The disparities between countries and access to resources. Lack of access for same sex partners in the areas of insurance benefits, etc. International students tuition are excessively higher than Canadian students. Access to sexual reproductive health services

(Other areas)

RACISM

Racial profilingdiscrimination on the basis of name, colour, country of origin (ie. Black males, Arabs/Muslims--particularly after 9/11, Asiansparticularly after SARS, First Nations) Anti-American sentiments The negative perceptions of First Nations People in Atlantic Canada Stereotyping Multiple oppressions based on race and classie. Africville in Nova Scotia, the reserve system in all of Canada.

EMPLOYMENT

Women in the workforce There is a lack of cultural sensitivity amongst some Medical Professionals The re-qualification of the professional sphere of immigrants The backlash of employment equity initiatives Youth denied employment due to a lack of experience, physical appearance and maturity, etc. The myth that immigrants are adding to the growing lack of jobs. Tokenism (gender, visible minority, persons with disabilities) training wages which target young people and New Canadians.

OTHER ISSUES

Commercialization of social movements Tourism and the exoticism of other countries and cultures

Question: What are some of the positive steps being taken around you towards respecting, promoting and recognizing diversity?
Large group discussion

Community events such as the Multiculturalism nights, summer festivals Bringing people together to discuss the issues Organizations, forums, conferencessuch as the Youth For Diversity forum University programs around diversity, critical theory and international studies International Film Festivals Diversity Camps Challenging the status quo workshops Partnerships/cross-collaboration of organizations working on issues

Question: What needs to change/happen/end in order to move forward in respecting, promoting and recognizing diversity?
Large group discussion

Curriculum changes that reflect the reality of Canadas history and present Training of educators, leaders Someone who can write about the diversity of experience Partnerships between urban and rural groups, sharing of information and resources Political might and accountability Alternative school/learning experiences Youth services in rural centres Provide space for youth-youth interaction

Question: What are some of the ways and skills I need to become involved and active in the area of diversity? Individual Interpersonal skills Passion Patience Communication Positive outlook Networks Optimism Planning/organization

Openness Knowledge/facts Confidence Leadership To be practical Mentorships Enthusiasm

Community Diplomacy Being able to handle rejection Overcome stereotypes Not take things personally Know where to go for resources in the community Take initiative Understanding of the social structures and hierarchies Understanding of politics and needs of the community Awareness of what is already going on Respect for the diversity in the community Nationally Sense of the realities of the Good team official languages Politically active Able to follow procedure A good knowledge of the laws and policies Lobbying skills Persistence Access to power Partnership Finding allies Knowledge of where the $$$ is Media savvy Globally Keep language simple Be inclusive Creative and quality damage control Computer skills Good relationships with the media Global awareness Building of coalitions Access to funds Be aware of legislation Good networking Connecting issues globally with issues Communication system locally

Question: What might be the challenges and obstacles?

Hidden agendas Difficulty recruiting dedicated people Our own biases Resistance Fear of speaking out Lack of resources/funding Lack of interest/apathy Local customs Time Outside biases Competition between groups Access to factual information glass-ceilings overcoming illegitimacy jurisdiction lack of recognition staying focused burn-out overcoming stereotypes of being young

Name

Joanne Macrae

Jodi Bartlett

Shari Hayne

Lesley Marple

Skills/knowledge/inf Needs Email address ormation to share information, on ideas and guidance on jmacrae@dal.c sexual how to run a reproduction workshops, games, issues activities, techniques facilitation skills working with the media lobbying skills/ideas getting into schools and program development funding sources host@nfld.net facilitation skills How to get more youth interested in experience diversity issues working with immigrant/refug Program ideas for ee youth youth in diversity partnership Tools resources to use building in public education initiatives recruitment and management of volunteers X2000jte@stfx.c networking including more a online diversity issues in the community queer issues/gender understanding the issues language of other ethnic groups alternative media working on increasing group combining diversity membership issues to work as a whole facilitation/leadershi p skills lesleymarple@yahoo building balancing partnerships religious beliefs .ca between urban with diversity and rural issues organizations funding sources group sustainability establishment collaboration (small town, with other

 Alysha Zhou

campus) queer/trans issues and education networks and contacts across Canada resources on how to initiate projects funding assistance project support

organizations

Ayat ElDewary

Lori Tozer Sarah Mahaney

Jason Wareham

youth organizations and contacts in Atlantic Provinces resources on immigrant/refug ee issues working with children of war and poverty youth mediation work research Atlantic Canada history resources AIDS Aboriginals in Atlantic Canada Issues of rural youth Youth organizations and drop in centres Public speaking Living in rural, homogenous communities

awzhou@pathcom. issues com surrounding youth in Atlantic Canada issues of rural youth diversity and racism in Atlantic Canada sexual orientation and health issues ayateldewary@yahoo. web desing working with com young children and pre-teens

Poverty issues Mutli-faith multiculturalism

ltozer@unb.ca

Minority children and the issues they face The realities of interracial families Health services and resources for youth Starting a discussion group out of

sarah_mahane y@hotmail.co m

jtwareham@hotmail.c om

Mireille Gomes

Creative approaches to communication Crisis intervention with youth/depression and suicide Coordinating youth activities Community service projects involving homeless people and the elderly Raising awareness in a high school environment Youth programming Hate crimes work Policy work Building networks Working with newcomer youth and service organizations Ideas on how to become a volunteer to help newcomer youth Human rights violations in East and SE Asia Human rights advocacy and activism on campus Research and compiling data

school or youth group Promoting awareness of the isms and events nationwide Getting media representation Founding organizations Raising awareness around sexual orientation issues Effective ways of doing networking

mireillegomes@hotm ail.com

Soni Dasmohaptr a

soni@cassa.on.ca

Jennie Grand-Pierre

Kitty Li

Finding and creating appropriate places for youth to hang out How to organize a mini cultural show Objective historical background on IsraeliPalestinian conflict Economic oppression on African

tweety0711@hotmail. com

kwy_li@yahoo.ca

Speech writing and public speaking

Mays Shamout

Leadership Starting new groups Working with immigrants and refugees Issue around racism, violence, marginalized groups Suggestions on creating inclusive projects Challenging attitudes on racism, immigration. Networks in Newfoundland Facilitation training for action Networks in Newfoundland connecting rural communities Being a board member Organizing youth forums Media planning Event organization Marketing Policy planning Creating

Janet Mackey

countries Increasing opportunity to work overseas Techniques on empowerment and motivation How to change curriculum How to set up a meeting or debate Existing programs for mobilizing antiracism interested groups Ideas of effectively teaching people to respect diversity

music_sensation @hotmail.com

jmackey@nfld.n et

David Godsell

Amanda Parsons

Sarah-Jane Smith

Diversity training related to a campus environment Workshop-oriented information Diversity issues workshop oriented materials Immigration information What the government is doing about oppression Volunteer insurance Promoting diversity in a small community Seeking a job

david_godsell@ yahoo.com

amanda17_parso ns@hotmail.com

ssmith@mooseh ead.ca

Erin

respectfordiversi

Hancock Stella Fleury Irenia Roussel Amit Virmani

manuals about diversity and resources Workshops on diversity for younger children Workshops for older youth and adults How to embellish projects Editing and writing The English community in Quebec City Organization/eve nt planning Multiculturalism association in NB The needs of association and organizations Public Speaking Desktop publishing Hinduism

related to diversity ty@alloy.com issues Other diversity conferences that exist New activities about diversity How to create a welcome committee at campus for foreign students stellafleury@hot mail.com

How to obtain funding to do workshops on diversity Civic engagement of youth in schools

nbmc@nbmc.ca

Website development Starting a discussion group Letter writing

amit_virmani1@ yahoo.com