TORONTO, May 13, 2010 - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation hosts the Sixth Symposium/Award of Excellence in anti-racism best practices under the theme "Unlearning and Addressing Bias in Society", May 17-19, Université du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM), 200 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec.
The three-day experts symposium offers a unique opportunity for policymakers, community groups, researchers and specialists to engage in a lively discussion on timely issues such as changing demographics in Canadian society, policing and human rights, racial and social profiling, Aboriginal rights, inclusive strategies in the educational system, and international qualifications.
Symposium speakers include experts and practitioners with rich background and extensive experience in the subject matter, such as Will Kymlicka, Queen's University; Gaëtan Cousineau, Président, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, Québec; Commissioners Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Lorna Williams, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning, University of Victoria; Madeline Ziniak, Vice President, OMNI; Clinton Timothy Curle, Canadian Museum for Human Rights; Jessica Yee, Executive Director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network; the Hon. Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner, Ontario and others.
The Award of Excellence will recognize five recipient institutions for their best practices in Anti-racism. "We are pleased with the high quality of the entries," said Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, CRRF Executive Director. "The submissions demonstrate the commitment, creativity and high calibre of Canadian institutions in tackling racism and promoting Canadian identity," Al-Yassini said.
The jury panel, which was chaired by Madeline Ziniak, Vice President of OMNI, will announce the winners of the Award of Excellence on May 18, 2010 at the Université du Québec in Montréal.