The Regional Diversity Roundtable

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to honor the incredible contributions women and girls have made throughout our history and continue to make today. This year’s theme, Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future, highlights the significant role women have played in building Canada’s economy, driving innovation, and shaping more inclusive workplaces. As we reflect on these achievements and progress, it’s also important  to recognize the barriers faced by Indigenous, Black, Racialized, and women with Disabilities; voices that too often remain underrepresented in our collective memory. Why is Women’s History Month still relevant? Because the challenges women face in our society, particularly in the workforce, balancing personal and professional demands, breaking through glass ceilings, and navigating systemic barriers, are ongoing and yet not where it needs to be.  At RDR, we believe that celebrating diverse women’s histories is critical to understand the road ahead. The stories of women who have overcome systemic discrimination inspire us to keep pushing for equity, especially in the workplace. By remembering their struggles and contributions, we honor their legacy and reaffirm our commitment to creating spaces where all women can thrive. Let’s continue to recognize, uplift, and amplify these stories to shape a better future for everyone. 📚 Learn more about Women’s History Month and the incredible contributions of women throughout Canada's history:  Celebrating the women who have made an impact in Canada: https://lnkd.in/g7WtkPzd Women in Canadian History: A Timeline: https://lnkd.in/eZWEd-3p Fifteen Indigenous Women’s Firsts to Celebrate on National Indigenous Peoples Day: https://lnkd.in/g5eyiRtU The Women’s History Project:https://lnkd.in/gSA-jzsh #WomensHistoryMonth #Equity #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenAtWork #RDR

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation In December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released the 94 Calls to Action, aimed at advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada. As of 2024, the TRC status report from Indigenous Watchdog reveals that only 14 of these Calls to Action have been fully implemented. More than nine years after the TRC’s historic recommendations, the majority remain incomplete, with key areas such as child welfare, education, and justice critically under-addressed. Many of the more complex systemic changes, including in health, justice, and reconciliation, still require deeper commitment and transformation at both governmental and societal levels. Additionally, the lack of adequate progress in areas like Indigenous language preservation, the implementation of child welfare reforms, and justice system inequities continues to highlight systemic barriers that need to be overcome. Persistent challenges such as clean drinking water access and the response to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) emphasize the urgent need for focused action. This glaring gap underscores a critical failure to prioritize reconciliation and address systemic injustices that continue to affect Indigenous peoples. The slow pace of implementation is a clear indication of the ongoing neglect and marginalization of Indigenous communities. The Calls to Action are not just policy recommendations; they are a moral imperative. They address the need for justice, equity in education, health, child welfare, and the recognition of Indigenous rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The delay in their implementation perpetuates the very harm that reconciliation seeks to heal. It is also important to remember that these Calls to Action were borne out of the voices of survivors—voices that were silenced for far too long. We cannot let the momentum of reconciliation fade into inaction. It is our responsibility to hold institutions accountable, advocate for tangible outcomes, and demand that Canada fulfills its promise of justice and healing for Indigenous communities. Reconciliation is not a task for tomorrow; it is a responsibility for today. Let us commit, not just today, but every day, to walking the path of reconciliation together. #ReconciliationNow #CallsToAction #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #CleanDrinkingWater #OrangeShirtDay #IndigenousRights

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation In December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released the 94 Calls to Action, aimed at advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada. As of 2024, the TRC status report from Indigenous Watchdog reveals that only 14 of these Calls to Action have been fully implemented. More than nine years after the TRC’s historic recommendations, the majority remain incomplete, with key areas such as child welfare, education, and justice critically under-addressed. Many of the more complex systemic changes, including in health, justice, and reconciliation, still require deeper commitment and transformation at both governmental and societal levels. Additionally, the lack of adequate progress in areas like Indigenous language preservation, the implementation of child welfare reforms, and justice system inequities continues to highlight systemic barriers that need to be overcome. Persistent challenges such as clean drinking water access and the response to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) emphasize the urgent need for focused action. This glaring gap underscores a critical failure to prioritize reconciliation and address systemic injustices that continue to affect Indigenous peoples. The slow pace of implementation is a clear indication of the ongoing neglect and marginalization of Indigenous communities. The Calls to Action are not just policy recommendations; they are a moral imperative. They address the need for justice, equity in education, health, child welfare, and the recognition of Indigenous rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The delay in their implementation perpetuates the very harm that reconciliation seeks to heal. It is also important to remember that these Calls to Action were borne out of the voices of survivors—voices that were silenced for far too long. We cannot let the momentum of reconciliation fade into inaction. It is our responsibility to hold institutions accountable, advocate for tangible outcomes, and demand that Canada fulfills its promise of justice and healing for Indigenous communities. Reconciliation is not a task for tomorrow; it is a responsibility for today. Let us commit, not just today, but every day, to walking the path of reconciliation together. #ReconciliationNow #CallsToAction #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #CleanDrinkingWater #OrangeShirtDay #IndigenousRights

Join Us for The Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR)- Annual Conference 2024! 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM 📍 Platform: Zoom Theme: Centering Diversity for Workplace Equity: Sustainable Transformations The social sector converges to empower diverse communities, and foster inclusive workplaces. The path to realizing collective vision for transformed ecosystems is through community building and sustained investment of cross-sectoral entities, programs and policies. Let us come together to center diversity, equity, and inclusion as catalysts for systemic transformation, paving the way for a brighter, resilient tomorrow. Workshop A: Progressive Transformation and Sustainable Inclusion Analyzing what sustainability currently looks like and what can be done to make it more progressive. A session exploring long-term, sustainable strategies for promoting diversity and equity in the workplace, including measurement and accountability mechanisms. Leaving the audience with a take-away on how to adapt current practices to ignite change. This session will reflect on current policies and law, and discuss how or if they are reflective of the increasing diversity and complex needs nationwide with a special focus also on the local scene. Focus: A critical capacity building session assessing the state of sustainability and proposing progressive strategies to enhance it, along with visioning a new pathway of policies and laws that serve the evolving national/provincial/regional diversity. Workshop B: Transformation Across Sectors -Community, Institutions and Funding Bodies This workshop explores the existing challenges and best practices within community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies that respond to emerging trends and corrective historical inequities. It will highlight the interplay between government policies, corporate funding, philanthropy, and individual donors in supporting environmental and sector priorities. The focus will be on sustainable funding models, policies, and programs that are achieved through allyship and advocacy. It offers a platform to discuss implementable solutions for sustainable transformations across sectors and communities. Focus: An in-depth examination of the interplay between community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies, addressing existing gaps and advocating for equitable funding systems that unintentionally create further disparities and fragmentations. This workshop will provide practical solutions and sustainable models for fostering allyship and advocating for policy and practice changes to achieve transformative and sustainable outcomes across sectors and communities. Register using the provided Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/gXcEZnq7

International Day of Peace - September 21, 2024; “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” It’s clear that our systems and institutions often fall short in preventing war, atrocities and all forms of violence and inequities towards vulnerable populations. At RDR, we believe that true peace requires more than just intentions, resolutions on papers; it demands tangible actions and systemic change. We challenge the status quo, advocate for marginalized communities and actively work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence and inequality. Let us honor this day by not only reflecting on the need for peace but also by taking concrete steps to address the root causes of conflict and injustice, ensuring that our pursuit of peace is both meaningful and enduring. True peace demands action, not just promises. Challenge the systems that perpetuate violence and further harm; make peace a reality, not just a hope… #InternationalPeaceDay #RegionalDiversityRoundtable #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #EndViolence #SystemsChange

Join Us for The Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR)- Annual Conference 2024! 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM 📍 Platform: Zoom Theme: Centering Diversity for Workplace Equity: Sustainable Transformations The social sector converges to empower diverse communities, and foster inclusive workplaces. The path to realizing collective vision for transformed ecosystems is through community building and sustained investment of cross-sectoral entities, programs and policies. Let us come together to center diversity, equity, and inclusion as catalysts for systemic transformation, paving the way for a brighter, resilient tomorrow. Workshop A: Progressive Transformation and Sustainable Inclusion Analyzing what sustainability currently looks like and what can be done to make it more progressive. A session exploring long-term, sustainable strategies for promoting diversity and equity in the workplace, including measurement and accountability mechanisms. Leaving the audience with a take-away on how to adapt current practices to ignite change. This session will reflect on current policies and law, and discuss how or if they are reflective of the increasing diversity and complex needs nationwide with a special focus also on the local scene. Focus: A critical capacity building session assessing the state of sustainability and proposing progressive strategies to enhance it, along with visioning a new pathway of policies and laws that serve the evolving national/provincial/regional diversity. Workshop B: Transformation Across Sectors -Community, Institutions and Funding Bodies This workshop explores the existing challenges and best practices within community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies that respond to emerging trends and corrective historical inequities. It will highlight the interplay between government policies, corporate funding, philanthropy, and individual donors in supporting environmental and sector priorities. The focus will be on sustainable funding models, policies, and programs that are achieved through allyship and advocacy. It offers a platform to discuss implementable solutions for sustainable transformations across sectors and communities. Focus: An in-depth examination of the interplay between community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies, addressing existing gaps and advocating for equitable funding systems that unintentionally create further disparities and fragmentations. This workshop will provide practical solutions and sustainable models for fostering allyship and advocating for policy and practice changes to achieve transformative and sustainable outcomes across sectors and communities. Register using the provided Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/gXcEZnq7

Dear Members, Hope you all had a wonderful and rejuvenating summer! We're eager to reconnect and begin our discussions with fresh perspectives as we head into the fall season. The first membership meeting after the summer break is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 9:30 am via Zoom. The learning component will focus on "Gendered Equity: Perceived or Real?", with a thought-provoking discussion and a member engagement activity. We’re honoured to have Zoë David-Delves (Zoë D.), Founder and Lead Consultant at David and Delves Consulting as our guest speaker. She brings over ten years of experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion, specializing in advocating for the rights of Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Looking forward to reconnecting with you all! Please come prepared with any questions or challenges you've encountered related to the topic.

Dear RDR Community, We are excited to invite you to the Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR)'s 2024 Annual Conference, themed Centering Diversity for Workplace Equity: Sustainable Transformations. This virtual event will take place on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM via Zoom. This year’s conference will center on transforming the social sector that serves diverse communities consistently, yet faces challenging uncertainties in delivery and support. RDR’s objective remains to foster inclusive workplaces. Our discussions will focus on community building and sustained investment across sectors, programs, and policies. Together, we will showcase how diversity, equity, and inclusion can serve as catalysts for systemic transformation, paving the way for a brighter, more resilient tomorrow. We are encouraging everyone interested in addressing inequities, advancing sustainability, and transforming inclusion efforts to seize this opportunity. Don’t miss the chance to hear from amazing speakers and presenters who are leading the way in these critical areas. Most importantly, we want to engage you in finding lasting solutions that can make a real difference. Register now using the provided Eventbrite link and join us in the collective effort to ensure our workplaces are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/gXcEZnq7

Join Us for The Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR)- Annual Conference 2024! 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM 📍 Platform: Zoom Theme: Centering Diversity for Workplace Equity: Sustainable Transformations The social sector converges to empower diverse communities, and foster inclusive workplaces. The path to realizing collective vision for transformed ecosystems is through community building and sustained investment of cross-sectoral entities, programs and policies. Let us come together to center diversity, equity, and inclusion as catalysts for systemic transformation, paving the way for a brighter, resilient tomorrow. Workshop A: Progressive Transformation and Sustainable Inclusion Analyzing what sustainability currently looks like and what can be done to make it more progressive. A session exploring long-term, sustainable strategies for promoting diversity and equity in the workplace, including measurement and accountability mechanisms. Leaving the audience with a take-away on how to adapt current practices to ignite change. This session will reflect on current policies and law, and discuss how or if they are reflective of the increasing diversity and complex needs nationwide with a special focus also on the local scene. Focus: A critical capacity building session assessing the state of sustainability and proposing progressive strategies to enhance it, along with visioning a new pathway of policies and laws that serve the evolving national/provincial/regional diversity. Workshop B: Transformation Across Sectors -Community, Institutions and Funding Bodies This workshop explores the existing challenges and best practices within community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies that respond to emerging trends and corrective historical inequities. It will highlight the interplay between government policies, corporate funding, philanthropy, and individual donors in supporting environmental and sector priorities. The focus will be on sustainable funding models, policies, and programs that are achieved through allyship and advocacy. It offers a platform to discuss implementable solutions for sustainable transformations across sectors and communities. Focus: An in-depth examination of the interplay between community organizations, institutions, and funding bodies, addressing existing gaps and advocating for equitable funding systems that unintentionally create further disparities and fragmentations. This workshop will provide practical solutions and sustainable models for fostering allyship and advocating for policy and practice changes to achieve transformative and sustainable outcomes across sectors and communities. Register using the provided Eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/gXcEZnq7

📢 Save the Date! Join us on October 9, 2024, for The Regional Diversity Roundtable's 2024 Annual Conference: “Centering Diversity for Workplace Equity: Sustainable Transformations.” This year’s conference will center on transforming the social sector that serves diverse communities consistently, yet faces challenging uncertainties in delivery and support. RDR’s objective remains to foster inclusive workplaces. Our discussions will focus on community building and sustained investment across sectors, programs, and policies. Together, we will showcase how diversity, equity, and inclusion can serve as catalysts for systemic transformation, paving the way for a brighter, more resilient tomorrow. 🗓️ Date: October 9, 2024 🕒 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM 📍 Platform: Zoom Join us to be part of the conversation that drives real change. Registration details will be available soon—stay tuned! #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #WorkplaceEquity #SustainableChange #CommunityBuilding #AnnualConference2024 #RDR