Be a good human
Organized through the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI), Mount Royal University’s Inclusion Week takes place from March 17 to 21. During the week, a safe space is created for important conversations and education on equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).
“Inclusion Week is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging by promoting empathy and kindness through educational opportunities and respectful dialogue,” says Dr. Lisa Daroux-Cole, PhD, MRU’s equity, diversity, and inclusion education and development specialist.
“This year's theme aligns with MRU's Good Human Campaign, inviting the community to collaborate in creating a more inclusive campus environment. Embracing the concept of being a ‘good human’ embodies respect, empathy, and kindness — qualities essential for cultivating a university where every individual feels valued and accepted, thereby strengthening our collective sense of community.”
The Good Human Campaign is organized through the Office of Student Community Standards, which has the mandate of supporting students, community and campus partners in navigating conflict using various dispute resolution pathways. Brenna Blundell, student community programming specialist, says, "The purpose of the Good Human Campaign is to encourage the MRU community to be a catalyst for positive change by recognizing and encouraging personal and societal transformation.
“It's about being kind and empathetic and helping to create an inclusive environment where all members on campus feel they belong.”
A “Good Human” will help others meet each other where they are at and provide mutual respect and empathy. They celebrate people who are kind to each other and make positive impacts in the lives of others.
“The campaign focuses on how kindness is demonstrated through intentional behaviours and reinforced through positive recognition,” Blundell says.
Mount Royal community members who have witnessed “remarkable acts of kindness” are able to fill out the Good Human Recognition Form to have that person recognized.
Being a good human aligns perfectly with the goals of EDIA, which are to foster environments where every individual can thrive. Inclusion Week will reflect MRU’s commitment to a sense of belonging, accessibility and being a welcoming environment free from discrimination and systemic racism.
Blundell says, “The Campaign ties into the goals of Inclusion Week by helping to create meaningful learning opportunities where community members can interact in purposeful ways, and to help increase interest in OEDI initiatives by prioritizing 'Good Human' conversations."
Inclusion Week sessions will take place in the MRU Library’s Ideas Lounge and community members can sign up for whatever interests them. Sessions include Overcoming Imposter Syndrome; Music as a Metaphor for Self Identity; Social Commentary on Inclusivity and Belonging; Introduction to Data Justice; Learning with ADHD and many more.
The keynote address, Current Perspectives of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will be delivered by Mike Shaikh, philanthropist, business leader, community advocate, volunteer and humanitarian, on March 21. Currently Shaikh is the director and treasurer of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023 for his committed volunteerism and philanthropy across numerous sectors.
Last year 594 members of the MRU community registered to attend Inclusion Week.