Calls to Action

The 9 Calls to Action identified in A Path Forward: Anti-Racism Working Group Report point the way to creating an anti-racist, inclusive, equitable and safe place for the GIDS community to learn and work:

Since 2023, the Anti-Racism and Inclusion Advisory Council (ARIAC) has worked with the GIDS Director to support the implementation of the 9 Calls to Action. To remain accountable to the GIDS community in meeting its commitment to implement the Calls to Action, we report here on actions taken (updated as of August 2026).

Call to Action 1: Communicate GIDS’ commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression

• Created posters about the Calls to Action and placed them prominently throughout GIDS' space on the 9^th floor
• Created an "Anti-Racism and Inclusion" tab on the GIDS website to communication about its policies and action in this area

Call to Action 2: Communicate university policies and procedures for addressing discrimination and harassment, and establish prompt, effective, and confidential channels to address these issues when they do occur

• Created posters about university resources that can be accessed to address discrimination and harassment, and placed them prominently throughout the GIDS' space on the 9^th floor.
• Created postcards about university resources that can be accessed to address discrimination and harassment, and placed them in the GIDS lounge for students to take. These have also been distributed to students in IDEV class.

Call to Action 3: Increase diversity among IDS faculty and advocate for increased diversity in other departments

• Since the release of the Calls to Action, GIDS has not hired any new faculty, but the GIDS Director and faculty continues to engage in ongoing advocacy around the importance for increasing diversity of the faculty complement within GIDS and other CSAHS departments.

Call to Action 4: Diversify the undergraduate student population

• Worked with the CSAHS Dean's Office to promote undergraduate scholarships that are for underrepresented student groups.

Call to Action 5: Diversify and decolonize the curriculum

• Redesigned IDEV2000 (a required course in the IDS undergraduate curriculum) with an explicit focus on decolonisation
• Designed the curriculum of the Master of Development Practice and Global Justice through a decolonial lens.

Call to Action 6: Enhance capacity of faculty to create and maintain respectful and inclusive classroom environments, facilitate discussions about race, and address issues when they do arise

• GIDS communicates with its faculty about opportunities to engage in professional development and learning in order to enhance their ability to create and maintain respectful and inclusive classroom environments, facilitate discussions about race, and address issues when they do arise.

Call to Action 7: Raise student awareness and understanding of racism, oppression, and their impacts

• Created the "Guide to Recognising and Addressing Microaggressions" and posted the PDF on the GIDS website as a resource under the "Anti-Racism and Inclusion" tab

Call to Action 8: Create opportunities for BIPOC students and faculty to gather

Call to Action 9: Provide information about available supports for BIPOC students, staff, and faculty

• Created posters about university resources that can be accessed to address discrimination and harassment, and placed them prominently throughout the GIDS' space on the 9^th floor
• Created postcards about university resources that can be accessed to address discrimination and harassment, and placed them in the GIDS lounge for students to take. These have also been distributed to students in IDEV class.