As part of our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), we recognize the ways in which racism negatively affects the health and wellness of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) including staff, students and faculty members on our predominantly white uOttawa campus. As such, we need to work on building a sense of belonging for everyone if we are to achieve the shift in culture that will lead to lasting positive change. The elements within the Building Belonging Action Plan have been in development since early 2020. These include values, principles, goals, pillars, and a timeline of concrete actions and activities. Once implemented, this Action Plan, along with other actions undertaken by the university, will lead us to a shift in accountability as well as a greater understanding of the challenges that have been, and continue to be faced by the BIPOC community and by other groups systematically at risk of discrimination and exclusion. We invite you to become familiar with the plan and join with us as we implement it and ensure its evolution. Together we can actively combat discrimination, racism, and racial inequalities, as we build a better future for everyone at uOttawa.
This work has been ongoing, of course. For the past several years, the Faculty has taken a series of steps to create an environment that supports indigenous culture and peoples, including our 2019 launch of the Institute for Indigenous Research and Studies.
This action plan expands upon that work, and widens our focus. We have gained inspiration from professors and students in the Faculty of Arts, many of whom have used their scholarly activities to highlight how white and Eurocentric perspectives have built barriers that prevent inclusion. To move forward, we must acknowledge and learn from the wide-ranging discrimination and inequalities that have been experienced on our campus, and we must make positive changes in a timely fashion. With this in mind, we look forward to strengthening our university community and collective place of learning.
