CALGARY, AB - Following months of consultation and research, the Mount Royal University Cougars are thrilled to launch a Diversity and Inclusion series on the We Are The Cougars podcast.
The Diversity and Inclusion series was created to educate, inspire and lead our community forward in addressing issues of racism and oppression. Each episode includes a discussion among individuals using personal, historic and current event examples to define important concepts and encourage conversations of diversity and inclusion.
The topics covered in this four-part series are:
- diversity and inclusion
- cultural competency
- unconscious bias
- unpacking privilege
Fifth-year Cougars men's volleyball middle Godi Jibi was a part of the committee who developed this educational series.
"Equity, diversity and inclusivity are fundamental topics because a lot of this world now revolves around multiculturalism and people from different ethnicities working together," says Godi. "Ensuring we have a conversation with our Cougar nation and beyond allows people to broaden their world views and understand the importance of working together."
Godi hopes that the series "allows people to dive into the topics and helps them pursue a more coherent understanding of what is being done right now to stop racism and promote diversity."
Cougars Athletics and Recreation collaborated with Brad Clark, associate professor in broadcast media studies at Mount Royal and two students to produce the series.
"This project has brought students, staff and faculty together to start to deliver on those commitments," said Clark. "I'm really proud of all the work everyone's put into this."
Development of the series was led by staff and volunteer student-athletes. The individuals who contributed to the series include Ornella Nzindukiyimana, assistant professor of human kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University; Marty Clark, MRU health and physical education assistant professor; Steve Kootenay-Jobin, MRU's Iniskim Centre events and housing coordinator; Jannalee Morris, Academic Strategist Program coordinator; and Brad Clark.
"This podcast series is important with all that is going on in our world," said Karla Karch, director of Cougars Athletics and Recreation. "Cougars Athletics and Recreation has put an enormous amount of energy into this project, which we hope will help many of us in understanding, learning and growing from our own biases on racism and oppression. Our hope is that we can begin this journey and work together through this initiative."
For more information or to listen, visit mrucougars.com/dipodcast or We Are The Cougars on Spotify.
Media Inquiries:
Katya Sodamin
Manager, Marketing and Partnerships
ksodamin@mtroyal.ca
