The time for change was yesterday!
Join the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) at the 5th annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) Conference to learn about approaches and strategies to deepen anti-racism action through systemic and intersectional change. We will be joined by local community experts, academics, administration and student leaders to engage in critical dialogue and information sharing.
Download the event agenda for a full overview of the 2021 IDERD Conference [PDF]
If you require accommodation, please email Saimah Baig and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements. Live captioning will be available to all participants during the session. For any other inquiries about this event, please contact Aamer Esmail.
Date: March 19, 2021 |
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
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Location: Virtual – Zoom |
Cost: Free |
Capacity: 1,000 Attendees |
Theme: The Work Continues: Deepening Anti-Racism Action through Systemic and Intersectional Change |
Opening Remarks by:
Kelly Hannah-Moffat (she/her)
Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity
University of Toronto
Closing Remarks by:
Karima Hashmani (she/her)
Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Office of Vice-President Human Resources & Equity
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM - Keynote Presentation
Belonging in a changing and polarizing world
As the world changes, our sense of well-being is being threatened. Threats like technology, the pandemic, climate change, and demographics are exposing humanity to unprecedented challenges. There are many paths we can take to respond to this moment. As we continue the work to deepen Anti-Racism action through systemic and intersectional change, we can try to turn to a fictional past or try to create a Belonging open future.
john a. powell (he/him)
Director, Othering and Belonging Institute
Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies
University of California at Berkeley
john a. powell is Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute and Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He was previously the Executive Director at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University, and prior to that, the founder and director of the Institute for Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota. john formerly served as the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He is a co-founder of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the boards of several national and international organizations. john led the development of an “opportunity-based” model that connects affordable housing to education, health, health care, and employment and is well-known for his work developing the frameworks of “targeted universalism” and “othering and belonging” to effect equity-based interventions. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University. His latest book is Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society.
The keynote presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM - IDERD Impact Awards
Acknowledging and celebrating IDERD Impact Award recipients from year 2020. Read more about our recipients
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM - Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Session 1 - Developing an Anti-Racism Action Plan
In this session, we take a deep dive into understanding what is takes to develop an Anti-Racism action plan for your teams. We will explore the steps to take, the barriers to address, and the supports to acquire as you leverage your skills and knowledge to prioritize efforts to mobilize against racism within a post-secondary environment.
The presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.

Kofi Hope (he/him)
CEO, Monumental
Adjunct Professor, Geography and Planning
University of Toronto
Session 2 - Intersectional Approaches to Decolonize Anti-Racism Efforts within a Post-secondary Environment
In this session, panelists share perspectives and insights from their lived experiences about how different layers and nuances of their identity might overlap, clash, and coexist while navigating post-secondary spaces that are working to advance Anti-Racism efforts. We will explore how efforts to decolonize Anti-Racism efforts can benefits from applying intersectional approaches to understanding Anti-Indigenous racism.
The presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.
Teddy Syrette (they/them)
2-Spirit Advocate
Storyteller & Facilitator
Jennifer Sylvester (she/her)
Ph.D student, Social Justice Education
University of Toronto
Professor Jason Bazylak (he/him)
Associate Professor Teaching Stream
University of Toronto
Session 3 - Not For, But With: Engaging Students as Anti-Racist Leaders
In this session, we will hear from a panel of staff and students on approaches to engaging and promoting student leadership within university-wide efforts to advance Anti-Racism initiatives. We will explore strategies for how students can embody and champion Anti-Racism efforts and navigate the learning environment to further collaborate and connect with those in positions of leadership.
The presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.
Samiha Sharif (she/her)
Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
MSW Student, University of Toronto
Yeonjoo (Jamie) Seo (she/her)
Peer Community Builder & Equity Activator, Residence Don
MSW Student, University of Toronto
Máiri McKenna Edwards (she/her)
Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusivity Training, Student Life
University of Toronto
Session 4 - The Politics of (In)visibility: Race & Resistance in LGBTQ2S+ Experiences within Post-Secondary Institutions
In this session, we engage in a critical dialogue about the unique lived experiences of queer and trans racialized groups that are often on the margins of mainstream queer and racialized discourse. We will explore the importance of intersectional strategies and tools as acts of resistance in working towards building more inclusive spaces within post-secondary institutions.
The presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.
Tatiana B Ferguson (she/her)
Co-founder of the Black Queer Youth Collective
Ricky Varghese (he/they)
Tanis Doe Postdoctoral Fellow in Gender, Disability, and Social Justice
School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University
Caro Castro (he/they)
Professor, Social Service Worker Program
George Brown College
Session 5 - Centering Anti-Racism within Faith-based Advocacy
In this session, we will hear from panelists working within faith-based initiatives about their experiences of centring Anti-Racism within their advocacy efforts. We will explore approaches to collective efforts for faith-based communities to advance Anti-Racism polices and practices within post-secondary environments.
The presentation includes a moderated Q&A session.

El-Farouk Khaki (he/him)
Co-founder & Imam: ETJC – The Unity Mosque
Barrister & Solicitor
Punita Lumb (she/her)
Student Life Coordinator – Multifaith Centre
PhD candidate, OISE
University of Toronto
Adele Halliday (she/her)
Anti-Racism and Equity Officer,
The United Church of Canada
12:30 PM – 1 PM - Closing Ceremony
Enjoy a live performance by:

Randell Adjei (he/him)
Executive and Creative Director of R.I.S.E (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere) Edutainment
Sign up to attend today: Registration Closed