UMD Summit on Equity, Diversity and Multiculturalism

The Summit on Equity, Diversity and Multiculturalism is returning to UMD on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

“The Summit is an opportunity for connection, collaboration and learning about ways to create an environment that promotes equity for racial, ethnic, and intersecting identities,” Mailee Vue, chairperson for UMD’s Commission on Equity, Race and Ethnicity (CERE), said.

The summit’s theme this year is “Creating Change.” There will be an assortment of interactive workshops, presentations, lectures and films with discussion, among other things.

“(Students) will learn numerous concepts and ideas about cultural diversity, inclusion, religious diversity, building empathy and cross-cultural communication,” Julie Kim, CERE chairperson, said.

Debby Irving, author of “Waking up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race,” will be giving a talk at 4 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom.

“Any time a predominantly white group of people gather to explore issues around race, education, equity, human potential or social justice, I am eager to share my message,” Irving said. “My socialization as a white American set me up to engage in each of these areas with good intentions, yet little knowledge about the larger, underlying social forces. I’ll be speaking to how I would have once approached these issues and why, how my belief system is expanding and why, and how I now engage more skillfully in each of these areas.”

Irving said she is “particularly intrigued” by the summit’s theme this year.

“The term ‘creating change’ implies that we have a hand in shaping our changing world, not settling for being victims of it,” Irving said. “As an optimist and a believer in life, liberty and justice for all, I am excited to be a part of shaping change that brings the United States closer to her stated ideals. I look forward to layering my message into the overarching message of the summit.”

All are welcome at the summit and students can attend for free. To register, go to: http://www.d.umn.edu/commission-equity-race-ethnicity/news-events