Unitec creates new space for ‘Courageous Conversation’ about race

A new initiative to help students, teachers, companies and organisations better understand and harness racial diversity will be launched at Unitec on Monday - International Race Relations Day 2016.

Unitec has signed an agreement to deliver US author and racial equity educator Glenn E. Singleton’s Courageous Conversations about Race protocol throughout the South Pacific.

The Institute for Courageous Conversation about Race at Unitec will bring together staff and students with industry and community partners to explore the question: “How can I be relevant and responsive in a racially diverse environment?”

“Auckland is now an extraordinarily diverse society, with more than 200 ethnicities and 160 languages spoken,” says Dr Matthew Farry, Unitec’s Equity and Diversity Manager.

“There is extensive research documenting the social, cultural and economic benefits that racial diversity can bring for our communities, and we have an incredible opportunity in front of us. But first we must understand and overcome the racial inequities that are still prevalent in Aotearoa.”

Singleton agrees. He believes that striving to achieve racial equity - whether in education or business - demands open and candid discussions, and the protocol is designed to support and encourage New Zealanders to have what he calls “courageous conversations”.

“We all need to have courageous conversations about race if we’re really going to understand the problem of racial inequity. This means acknowledging and accepting the differences among us, including race, which can sometimes be an uncomfortable experience. The bottom line is, if you can’t differentiate your students or customers, how can you understand their unique talents and needs?”

The next step is to actively begin building inclusive and equitable learning opportunities and workplaces in schools, tertiary institutes, business, government and community organisations.

“Our learning institutions and workplaces must reflect and embrace our racially diverse population, and this requires us to achieve racial diversity at the highest levels of leadership. This in turn will allow us to better meet the needs of our communities. It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Dr Farry.

Unitec has been using the Courageous Conversation protocol to build its own capability for meeting the needs of its diverse student population. Chief Executive, Dr Rick Ede, says there is no choice but for organisations to actively prepare for our multiracial future.

“The reality is that we’re now living in a super diverse city and we have to adapt,” Dr Ede says.

“As well as providing an equitable experience for all of our students, we want to ensure our graduates have the cultural competencies they need to be successful in increasingly diverse workplaces.

“We also have a role to play in helping our communities and industries adapt. The Institute will provide a space for our key partners to come together and engage in courageous conversations with themselves, each other, and their future employees.”

The launch of the Institute for Courageous Conversations about Race at Unitec will be attended by Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy and Superdiversity Centre for Law, Business and Policy Chairperson Mai Chen.

ENDS

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