As a foundational component to leadership here at U of T, we offer a series of opportunities for students to exchange knowledge about equity, diversity and inclusion. Whether formal training sessions or informal chats, students have access to ongoing discussion about equity and inclusion related topics.
- Creating Inclusive Environments
This synchronous workshop is part of the Learning to Lead program and the Mentorship Foundations training. Creating an Inclusive Environment will encourage you to think about inclusion as a verb, as action in addressing systemic oppression. We take time to think about what exclusion and inclusion are and how they affect students. We reflect on some of the different ways exclusion takes place for U of T students in everyday life and we brainstorm practical strategies to create more inclusive environments in your communities and work.
- Equity 101: 6 Conversations about Equity
We talk a lot about equity on campus but what do we really mean? Do we have the same understanding? How does it relate to our everyday lives here on campus? What is it missing? This workshop explores these questions while also creating a space for us to think about what commitments we can make around continuing to learn more while putting what we have learned into action.
- Introduction to Anti-Oppressive Practices (AOP)
Anti-Oppressive Practices (AOP) is a framework for being in action against systemic-oppression to create change. It has wide use in many professional areas. This workshop starts by considering how systemic-oppression works in everyday life specifically in the areas that we study and work. AOP is then introduced with space to reflect on how we can take it into our studies, professional practices and personal lives. Research and practice done in Canada is featured.
- Reimagining Self-Care: The you, the me, the we
Being a student can mean juggling many roles, a lot of unpaid work, financial precarity and intersecting forms of discrimination. Based on student request, students and staff have co-created this workshop about what is commonly called self-care. But we want a conversation that moves beyond self-care and self-soothing, to talk about community and structural care too. Taking systemic inequality into account, we talk about how students can set boundaries, identify what is important for themselves, and take care of themselves and their communities. This workshop is a peer-learning space, and we hope to hear from your experiences.
- Self-Awareness: Foundational Work in Equity
Addressing systemic oppression exists both within and outside of ourselves. We often talk about “doing the personal work” but what work are we to do? How do we do it? This workshop will give you the opportunity to do some of this reflection in community with both the support and challenge of fellow students as we think about how to do that work within our personal lives.
- Self-Awareness in Conflict
This workshop encourages students to delve deeper into understanding the crucial role of self-awareness in communication and conflict resolution. By considering the fluidity of different situations, students will explore how our social contexts influence power dynamics and privilege within conflicts, and how these elements relate to individuals. Together, we will develop practical tools and strategies for navigating difficult conversations, using increased self-awareness as a means to mediate existing power dynamics.
- Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions
This session will explore what microaggressions are and how understanding them can help us to create more inclusive environments. We will also learn ways to address them in everyday interpersonal situations.
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Program Eligibility
All of U of T undergraduate and graduate students from the St. George Campus.
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How The Program Works
You can take any of our workshops for personal and/or professional development, as well as for preparation for future leadership positions.
Some will count toward existing leadership programs (eg. Learning to Lead, Mentorship Foundations and Clubs Essential Training). Please refer to these programs for more information.
Workshops can be taken in any order as they’ve been created as stand-alone workshops. But you may also take an optional pathway to help you map out your learning journey with us. This pathway is set from entry-level to higher-level content. If you have any questions, please reach out to sl.edi.training@utoronto.ca.
Optional workshop pathway:
- Equity 101: 6 Conversations in Equity
- Self-Awareness: Foundational Work in Equity
- Creating Inclusive Environments
- Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions
- Reimaging Self-care: The you, the me, the we
- Intro to Anti-Oppressive Practices
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Program Registration
The workshop dates and times for Fall 2024 will be updated soon. Please check back at a future date.