This text is part of the special Interculturality notebook
Last September, Quebec City and Laval University launched a training course for living together. It aims to help citizens and managers understand the concepts of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Iréna Florence Harris arrived at her position as consultant in diversity, equity and inclusion at the City of Quebec in October 2020. Her first discussions with citizens, business leaders and municipal employees brought to light a Challenge: Most people wanted to practice inclusion better, but few knew how to do it. A survey carried out among 250 entrepreneurs and employees in Quebec then indicates that the reception of foreign workers in companies suffers from a lack of knowledge.
“That’s how the idea of launching training on diversity and inclusion was born,” says M.me Harris. Its objective is to better equip people so that they understand the issues of diversity and can practice inclusion in their environment. » She adds that inclusion is taken here in its broad sense and concerns cultural minorities, indigenous people, individuals with disabilities and even members of LGBTQ+ communities.
Get away from clichés
The course includes three components: support activities, animated video capsules intended for the general public and online training Living Better Together at Work. The latter, lasting a total of three hours, is made up of four modules: a definition of the concepts of EDI and living together at work, inclusive reception, inclusive collaboration and inclusion in daily life at work.
An accompanying guide of around thirty pages completes this training, which was developed in collaboration with the Research Chair on Integration and Management of Diversity in Employment (CRIDE) and the University’s Professional Development Service Laval.
“Our biggest challenges were to clearly define the subject to avoid spreading ourselves too thin and to properly explain concepts like diversity or groups seeking equity, the definitions of which are not always unanimous,” confides Kamel Béji , holder of the CRIDE.
Popularization was another major problem. “We wanted content accessible to all, but without simplifying to the point of multiplying clichés and without falling into the trap of naming victims and culprits,” continues Mr. Béji.
To achieve this, his team consulted. “The content of the training was co-constructed with associations of members of communities and under-represented groups in search of equity,” specifies Sana Bouajila, coordinator of CRIDE. They reread and validated them, which gave rise to very enriching discussions. »
Quebec wants to act
The new training has been offered to Laval University staff since October 18. It is also accessible to businesses in Quebec City, through the Brio learning platform.
For Iréna Florence Harris, this entire journey of living together is part of Quebec City’s desire to be an important player in social cohesion. In May 2022, the municipality notably created the Consultative Commission for an inclusive city. It meets at least four times a year and advises the City on EDI, universal accessibility (for people living with disabilities, seniors and young children) and immigration.
“We want to be very proactive in this area,” she says. Our EDI strategy aims to advance it in our own municipal institutions and among our citizens. »
Blainville is committed to diversity and inclusion
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.