Diversity & Human Rights, University of Guelph

10/17/2025

What does it take to rise above adversity and create meaningful change?

Join Dr. Samra Zafar - award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and human rights advocate - as she shares her powerful story of resilience, empowerment, and belonging.

Don't miss her powerful talk during Inclusion Week, where she'll share how courage, connection, and compassion can transform lives.

🗓️ Wednesday, October 22
🕔 5:00-6:00 pm
📍Art Gallery of Guelph
☕️ Refreshments provided

Learn more & register: https://www.uoguelph.ca/diversity-human-rights/inclusion-week-2025-connect-belong-thrive

10/14/2025

🌟 Inclusion Week 2025: Connect. Belong. Thrive. 🌟

Join us Oct. 20–23 for workshops, reflections & events celebrating inclusion, belonging & community at U of G.

Register now: http://uoguel.ph/inclusionweek

Highlights include:

- Monday, Oct 20 – Blanket Exercise & Reflection
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Art Gallery of Guelph
An interactive learning experience about Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations and the impact of colonization.

Monday, October 20 – DHR Open House
1:30 – 3:30 p.m., UC Room 337
Drop in, meet the DHR team, and learn what inclusion work looks like on campus. Snacks and refreshments provided.

Tuesday, Oct 21 – IEDI Resource Fair
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (kickoff 10:00 a.m.), UC Courtyard
Connect with campus supports around inclusion, equity, diversity, Indigeneity, and accessibility. Music, food, booths, and more.

Tuesday, Oct 21 – Prosperity Project: Annual Report Card on Gender Equity & Leadership
4:00 – 5:00 p.m., McLaughlin Library Room 384
Hear from Prosperity Project’s Caroline Duvieuart-Déry about gender equity trends in leadership across Canada.

Wednesday, Oct 22 – Noon Walk in the Arboretum
12:15 – 1:15 p.m., meet at Hales McKay Bus Shelter
A guided walk reflecting on inclusion in nature and how access to green spaces matters.

Wednesday, Oct 22 – Breaking Barriers: Accommodation to Inclusion Workshop
1:00 – 2:30 p.m., UC Room 430
Learn to identify barriers, understand disability stigma, and apply accessibility to everyday spaces.

Wednesday, Oct 22 – In Conversation with Dr. Samra Zafar
5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Art Gallery of Guelph
Dr. Zafar is an award-winning international speaker, author and psychiatrist. Hear her powerful story about escaping a decade of abuse as a child bride in Canada, to go on to educate herself and become a global human rights advocate. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Samra is a trailblazer, spearheading authenticity, resilience, and wellness in organizations.

Thursday, Oct 23 – Understanding DEI & Indigenization in Organizations
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., MACK Room 231
Join Dr. Leanne Son Hing as she shares research on embedding inclusion in organizational systems.

Thursday, Oct 23 – Inclusive Leadership in Action Workshop
12:00 – 1:30 p.m., MACK 231
Explore how anti-oppression and anti-racism principles can make decision-making more equitable, innovative and inclusive and gives tips and guidance on how to give everyone a voice at the table.

Thursday, Oct 23 – Journalists for Human Rights: Amplifying Voices of Women & Girls
4:00 – 5:00 p.m., UC Room 442
Bill Killorn, Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights shares his work on reshaping the narrative of human rights journalism and amplifying the voices of women and girls around the world.

Led by Cara Loft, Educational Developer, Indigenous Knowledges and Pedagogies, Office of Teaching & Learning, the Blanket Exercise teaches people about the history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations in Canada and the impact of colonization on the relationship between these communities. As pa...

10/08/2025

❤️💛🖤The EDI Enhancement Fund is now accepting applications! ❤️💛🖤

Have an idea that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion at U of G? The EDI Enhancement Fund provides financial support for projects that help create a more inclusive campus environment - from events and workshops to community and cultural-related initiatives.

Students, staff, and faculty are all encouraged to apply!

Learn more and submit your application: https://www.uoguelph.ca/diversity-human-rights/equity-diversity-inclusion-enhancement-fund

09/04/2025

📚🖍 Welcome new & returning Gryphons! ✨

The Office of Diversity and Human Rights is here to support YOU this school year. Whether you're looking for resources, training, or a safe space to raise concerns, we've got your back. 💛

We've got:
✅ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion workshops
✅ Human Rights support & complaints processes
✅Accessibility & accommodation resources
✅Anti-racism & anti-oppression resources
✅A safe and welcoming space for all

Our mission? To make a campus a place where everyone feels they belong. 🌍💫

👉 Follow us for updates, events, and ways to get involved.
📍Find us on the 3rd floor of the UC, or at uoguelph.ca/diversity-human-rights

Here's to a year of growth, learning and inclusion. Let's make it a good one! 🎉

06/16/2025

As Pride Month begins, take a moment to celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of the LGBTQ2IA+ community at U of G and recognize the hard work and challenges that remain.
Pride is a time to honour the history, courage and resilience of LGBTQ2IA+ communities. It is also a time for reflection – on the progress made and the hard work that remains when it comes to dismantling discrimination, amplifying diverse voices and ensuring safe, supportive spaces for everyone.
So this June, remember those harmed by discrimination, transphobia and homophobia and commit to working together for fairness and respect for all LGBTQ2IA+ individuals.
At U of G, we are committed to fostering a campus community where all identities are seen, valued and respected. Through education, advocacy and allyship, we work every day to build a future grounded in respect, acceptance, equity and human rights.
The Office of Diversity and Human Rights offers many education and training resources and supports on allyship, microaggressions and anti-oppression principles. We encourage our community to work together to build a safe and welcoming campus for everyone.
Throughout the month of June, U of G students, faculty and staff are invited to learn more about the history of the LGBTQ2IA+ community at U of G, in Canada and around the world. McLaughlin Library is featuring a PRIDE collection, focusing on the diversity and intersectionality within the LGBTQ2IA+ community with works of fiction, histories, and memoirs. You can find a fulsome list of initiations, celebrations and events happening in Guelph this month here.
We invite our campus community to join in PRIDE Month events, learn from LGBTQ2IA+ leaders and storytellers and work together to build a more inclusive and accepting world.
Happy Pride U of G!

05/02/2025

is proud to share that Indira Naidoo-Harris, associate vice-president, Diversity and Human Rights, has been appointed to the board of the NATO Association of Canada.

A respected human rights advocate and former Ontario cabinet minister, Naidoo-Harris brings deep expertise in equity, education and public policy. She will contribute to the association’s mission of advancing peace, prosperity and security through education and dialogue.

Learn more: https://uoguel.ph/5xvhr

10/17/2024

The deadline for the EDI Enhancement Fund has been extended to October 21, 2024. So if you need funding support for an initiative that promotes equity and inclusion and celebrates diversity, head on over to our website and apply now.

10/08/2024

Are you promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at U of G? Are you committed to building welcoming learning or working environments?

We are excited to announce that applications for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund are now open and encourage students, staff and faculty to apply by October 15, 2024.

To learn more and apply visit: uoguel.ph/pt8oj