SURP launches inaugural Diversity Day
At a time when international conflicts and discriminatory phobias are undermining trust-building, TMU’s urban and regional planning community did the opposite. They launched their first-ever Diversity Day event to celebrate the rich, vibrant, multicultural SURP community.
Entirely student-led, the event was created with and for SURP students. It showcased the range of cultures across the school. But it did more. It was a chance for individuals to really see and hear each other — and bring forward whatever part of their cultural, social and ethnic identity makes them them.
Savour the flavours!
Many showed up “come as you are!” to the drop-in event. But those who donned cultural attire found themselves bonus winners, receiving prize giveaways for adding extra energy and colour the colourful atmosphere.
Where in the world??
Through interactive mapping, domestic and international students got to show-and-tell about their homeland, heritage and ancestral backgrounds — a chance to open dialogue, increase ethnocultural representation and share eye-opening glimpses from around the globe.
"Diversity Day was a great opportunity for people to celebrate their cultures and share stories about the incredible cities and backgrounds they come from. It gave me a chance to learn about the many diverse roots that make up our SURP community. Loved the food, loved the music, and loved everyone's energy!"
Planning — for an equitable future
Diversity isn’t only about the academic community — it’s a fundamental underpinning of equitable, inclusive urban planning. During one activity to amplify unheard and underrepresented voices, students contributed Post-it-Note perspectives on the question, “How could sharing aspects of your identity with urban planners contribute to building a more equitable city?”
Mix ‘n mingle
SURP undergrads and grads, domestic and international students found a welcoming space of cross-cultural awareness, dialogue and belonging for all — regardless of gender, sex, orientation, language, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious belief, ability, socioeconomic status, language, and other social identity factors. A great chance to interact in person and unlearn cultural biases and stereotypes.
Special thanks to SURP and the school’s two student groups whose leadership and work made the event a success.
- Toronto Metropolitan Association of Planning Students (TMAPS)
- Metropolitan Planning Graduate Student Association (MPGSA)
- Juliet Dhanraj, SURP Student Success Specialist
