Event Info

At Memorial University, the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) has proudly hosted a variety of impactful events aimed at fostering inclusivity, celebrating diverse cultures, and promoting meaningful conversations on social justice. From engaging panel discussions with distinguished speakers to cultural celebrations, film screenings, and career development workshops, our events have provided spaces for learning, connection, and advocacy.

As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to creating opportunities that empower individuals and advance equity at Memorial University and beyond. Explore our past events and join us in shaping a more inclusive future!

Established Annual Premier Events:

Black History and Liberation Month

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate of Canada, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008.

Today, African History and Liberation Month is an important opportunity to honour the legacy, achievements and contributions of Black people to society and culture, and to recognize the full breadth of the history of Black people in Canada.

Each February, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) at Memorial hosts events to mark African History and Liberation Month. Event details for February 2026 will be updated here and in our Event Listings calendar as they are finalized.

Women’s Day

March 8 of each year is celebrated internationally as International Women's Day, a day to bring worldwide attention to women's legacies and achievements as well as to ongoing struggles including gender inequality, reproductive rights and gender-based violence and abuse.

Throughout the month of March, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) will host events focused on women's history, achievements and contributions. Event details will be added and updated here and in our Event Listing calendar as they are finalized.

Inaugural EDI-AR International Conference

The first inaugural conference drew over 250 participants worldwide, offering sessions that delved into innovative practices and global perspectives on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This successful one-day event expanded into a two-day format this year, which occured Thursday, May 22 to Friday, May 23, 2025, at Memorial University's Signal Hill Campus.

Pride: Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+

Pride gatherings first emerged from large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, the first of which were held in Canada in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. Today, Pride acknowledges the achievements, contributions, resilience and ongoing struggles of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.

Throughout June 2025, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) at Memorial will host events to mark Pride Month. Event details will be added and updated here and in our Event Listings calendar as they are finalized.

During October's Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM)

Memorial University, in partnership with EDI-AR, Human Resources, and Student Life, hosted events to promote workplace accessibility and inclusion. The "Leading with Accessibility Confidence Panel" featured discussions on creating barrier-free environments, while "Light It Up! for DEAM" aligned with a national campaign, illuminating campus landmarks in purple and blue to celebrate disability inclusion.

Annual Community Table Talk

The Annual Community Table Talk, hosted by Dr. Delores V. Mullings, Vice-Provost for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR), took place on October 15 at Memorial’s St. John’s campus. This hybrid event highlighted EDI-AR's progress and priorities as Dr. Mullings reflected on her three years in the role. Featuring a presentation, Q&A session, and informal reception, the event fostered meaningful dialogue with the Memorial community, providing updates on key initiatives and the vision for advancing equity and inclusion.

2024: A Year of Establishing Foundation and Growth

The EDI-AR team has been involved with many events as it continues to grow and establish the office while also building partnerships across Memorial’s campuses and the broader communities. Highlights include:

Strategic Plan Updates and Consultations

Presentations to the Planning & Budget Committee and the President's Executive Committee underscored EDI-AR’s role in integrating equity-focused strategies into university planning. The strategic planning report was published online in March.

The What We Heard and What We Learned, the EDI-AR Strategic Plan, is in its final stages of development, so we anticipate university-wide consultation in the winter semester.

Employment Equity Act Review Series

The Employment Equity Act Review Series, held from August to October, was a collaborative initiative between the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) and Dr. Tony Fang, the Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Cultural and Economic Transformation at Memorial University. This series comprised hybrid events aimed at providing staff and faculty with new insights into recruitment, engagement, retention, and promotion practices. Dr. Fang, who served as a member of the federal Employment Equity Act Review Task Force, shared his expertise during these sessions. The series included presentations to various university groups, such as the Department of Human Resources, union locals (MUNFA, CUPE, NAPE, TAUMUN), Faculty Relations, and the broader university community.

Racial Justice Accessibility Tool Kit

With internal funding from Public Engagement, and community, student, staff, and faculty partnership, three hybrid consultation sessions were facilitated at Grenfell Campus, Marine Institute, and St. John’s Campus. Two final sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to finalize the Racial Justice Accessibility Tool Kit.

Addressing Anti-Black Racism (ABR) and Black Inclusion Events

With internal funding from Public Engagement, and support from the Scarborough Charter Secretariat, the EDI-AR office hosted three consultation sessions between September and November, EDI-AR hosted two key consultations on addressing anti-Black racism and fostering Black inclusion. Black students, faculty, and staff engaged in critical dialogue, sharing experiences and ideas for change.

Senior leadership participated in discussions to explore actionable solutions to explore moving the university’s signatory commitment to address ABR and foster Black inclusion across all campuses. Memorial also renewed its Scarborough Charter membership and meetings have been initiated with President Bose and Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei to initiate forming an Advisory Group to oversee Memorial’s direction for addressing ABR and Black inclusion.

Human Rights Policy Consultations

Engaging a cross section of individuals and groups across the university to provide feedback on Memorial’s first Human Rights policy has been focal point for the EDI-AR office. Consultations began in September and will remain ongoing until December 5, 2024, to ensure various interested parties have an opportunity to help shape the new Human Rights Policy.

Consultation with International, Racialized Students

Memorial University's Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) has actively engaged with international and racialized students through dedicated consultation sessions. In November 2023, two dialogue sessions were conducted to understand the lived experiences of these students across all Memorial campuses. These sessions aimed to identify strategies and policies to foster a welcoming and discrimination-free environment at the university.

Honouring EDI-AR Strategic Team Members

Additionally, the EDI-AR office has recognized the contributions of its Strategic Planning Team (SPT). Launched in the Winter 2022, the SPT brought together members of the Memorial community committed to advancing equity and inclusion. The team played a pivotal role in operationalizing the strategic planning process, facilitating consultations, and drafting the EDI-AR Strategic Plan. Their efforts have been instrumental in shaping Memorial's approach to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Ongoing Work Towards Transformation

These initiatives reflect Memorial University’s unwavering commitment to creating a campus where equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism are at the heart of everything we do. By working hand-in-hand with campus leaders, students, and community partners, EDI-AR is helping to build a future where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

For information on other events associated with Memorial University, please check the Gazette Event Listing information.

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