At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), we are committed to identifying and fully recognizing our challenges in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and we commit to working towards resolution of these challenges for the benefit of all members of our community, regardless of their identities, affiliations and experiences.
We believe that diversity is a strength. We believe that our work environment should allow individuals to express their differences, and that these differences should be welcomed and celebrated. We aim to prevent obstacles to attraction, recruitment, retention, recognition and advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups. Our goal is to strengthen our organization through listening, education, reflection, learning and growth. To begin, we favour a position of openness and humility to achieve a better understanding of our community.
Definitions
Equity
At the RI-MUHC, we understand equity as the fair and appropriate treatment of individuals and groups according to their needs, experiences and abilities. We promote a distribution of resources and opportunities that ensures that equity-seeking groups have the same conditions for participation and success and overcome the systemic barriers they face.
Diversity
Diversity describes the presence of difference in a group of people. At the RI-MUHC, we understand diversity as the range of dimensions, qualities, and unique characteristics of human beings and identity differences (gender, race, sexuality, bodily capacity, ethnicity, religion, social status, etc.) present in any group of people. Our institutional approach aims to understand the oppressive experiences that social groups have had because of their differences, with the aim of transforming these oppressive conditions.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the goal of our approach. It creates a sense of belonging, which emerges when teams engage the full potential of individuals, where innovation thrives and views, beliefs and values are integrated (Burnette, 2018). We see inclusion as creating a culture that promotes equity, and that celebrates, respects, accepts and values difference. This vision of inclusion leads to transformations in organizational culture, the effects of which are felt at both individual and collective levels.
Read our complete EDI policy (Download in pdf format).
Read our EDI action plan (download in pdf format)
The Institute's EDI Advisory Committee is a participative body, representative of the diversity of its members. It promotes discussion and understanding of EDI obstacles and initiatives among Institute members, and address them at the institutional level. It provides advice and recommendations on EDI matters to the Institute's management and to the Human Resources and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Board of Directors, and follows up on these recommendations.
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre supports numerous speakers, seminars, and webinars focused on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
