Symposium Series
Addressing institutional & systemic oppression:
A series of human rights research & policy symposiums marking the International Decade for People of African Descent
These following symposium series will be framed in post-modernism paradigm which supports dialectical analysis and respects of diversity, and in critical social theory. They are informed by the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and specifically, the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice.
Presenters and participants will engage in on-going critical self-reflection and reflexivity and, promote best practices anchored in multiple disciplines towards dismantling and overcoming the hegemony of inequality and systemic violation of human rights.
Symposium sessions
Framing African-Descent Identities Through a Human Rights Lens
December 2, 2020 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
The historical and contemporary identities of people of African descent in Canada affect their health, social and economic well-being, and development. This first event in this three-part series will explore the effect of oppression based on “race” as it relates to identity, power, language, and well-being. Presenters will expose and discuss research findings on mental health, social, and economic costs of “race-based” oppression. Human rights advocates, policy, and community leaders are well-placed to learn and give voice to current challenges. Presentation poster. Click to view symposium video.
Addressing Intergenerational Trauma from Systemic Oppression
January 21, 2021 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
The experience of slavery, discrimination, residential schools, hate crimes, disenfranchisement, and aggression impact not only the individual or community, but future generations as well. Human rights advocates, researchers, policy makers and community leaders will share and discuss strategies to: support healing from internalized oppression and/or superiority; promote human rights values, equitable inclusion and respect of diversity in the human family; and initiate processes that can effectively dismantle institutional and systemic oppression. Presenter poster. Symposium program
Recognizing and Overcoming Systemic Oppression: Advancing Health, Social and Economic Justice Together
February 18, 2021 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
Research and news reports have exposed some similarities in the experiences of Indigenous People and African-descent Canadians with respect to oppression from policing and other institutions in the justice system. This session will expose the underlying root causes of institutional and systemic oppression due to perceived “race,” ethnic and cultural differences, etc. and, how they intersect with internalized domination/ oppression. It will explore human rights based policies, practice models and strategies that can support healing and, promote sustained health, social, and economic justice for all Canadians, at a practical level.