The Institute for Youth Sustainability Leadership (IYSL) reintroduced the Sustain the Sustainability series on 29 September with a panel discussion on “Driving Diversity and Inclusion on Campus.” We partnered with EM-power, one of our new student groups founded by students of many ethnicities, to engage in a panel discussion with us.

Over 30 students and faculty staff were able to gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity and the paradigm shift in terms of racial diversity. The panellists generally agreed that inclusion focuses on the behaviours that enable and support diversity. In contrast, diversity is about representation—representation of people with various characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity/race, etc.—while inclusion is about the culture that fosters, values, and supports diversity within organisations.

Curious audience members posed insightful questions to the panel about ethnicity, religion, misconceptions, and stereotypes.

An expert panel reflected on the shift in the conversation around race on campus and Diversity and Inclusion issues more broadly, the barriers to progress, key change drivers and the role of leaders on campus.