MEOPAR is excited to officially announce a partnership with Simply Good Form INC. (SGF) for our four-fold Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Action Plan. We’re using a blended approach, guided by SGF, to accomplish three main goals:
- Build capacity to initiate change within the ocean sector by mobilizing EDIA knowledge and supporting marginalized communities, like BIPOC and LQBTQIA2S+;
- Build and improve MEOPAR’s operations and programming;
- Foster a welcoming and safe working and learning environment for all.
How we will do it
To reach our goals, we’re working with SGF on putting these objectives into practice:
1. ANNUAL MEETING WORKSHOPS: Last year’s session on Anti-Racism and Equity in the Ocean Sector with Future Ancestor Services was such a success that an EDIA capacity-building workshop with SGF for Network members and affiliates will be on the agenda at MEOPAR’s 2022 Annual Meeting, called “Beyond Barriers 4 Inclusive Leaders: Breaking Biases” Once the Annual Meeting Program is announced, registration will be available here: https://meopar.ca/annual-meeting
2. ASYNCHRONOUS E-LEARNING: Enabling continuous education opportunities fosters operational excellence. SGF’s engaging Inclusion Leadership Course (with accredited certification) is being undertaken by MEOPAR Administrative Centre staff and management, the MEOPAR Board of Directors members and Thought Leaders, and Core and CoP Leads and coordinators. This valuable learning will enable us to reach a collective understanding of what EDIA in practice looks like within our sector, and how to ensure meaningful integration into all program areas. There will be an opportunity for member of the Network at large to access the e-learning course; more information about this will be announced after the Annual Meeting.
3. COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY: Community and knowledge mobilization are at the heart of MEOPAR. Under this action plan, we aim to improve organizational culture and share resources about EDIA best practices, including informational social media content. MEOPAR will also partner with SGF’s podcast, Hey, Cis! to elevate LGBTQIA2S+ / BIPOC voices within the MEOPAR network on an episode dedicated to the queer ocean science community. Interested in being on the podcast? Email alexa.goodman@meopar.ca, or nominate someone you think would be a good fit here.
4. INTEGRATED SUPPORT: Over the next six months, MEOPAR will work with SGF through integrated consulting to enable access to solutions and resources as they are needed, for example, in developing the SSF proposal. They will also support initiating MEOPAR’s application for formal recognition as a Rainbow Registered Organization, accredited by Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), which requires an inclusion audit.
About the Plan
Why is MEOPAR excited about this Action Plan? In following the proposed Action Plan, we will continue to be leaders in the ocean sector, advancing EDIA and fostering safe workplace culture. This looks like using our comprehensive understanding of EDIA to apply best practices to our programming, policies and procedures, and encouraging others pursue their own self-directed learning too. Putting MEOPAR’s Action Plan into practice will improve how we operate and will act as a catalyst for future programming as we learn more over time.
How will this idea be a catalyst for further actions? It is MEOPAR’s goal to welcome diverse voices into the network, and we will be able to advance decolonizing science and reconciliation. This Action Plan can serve as the basis for future iterations, advancing and sparking further EDIA action over time through learning.
Do you have questions or suggestions on how you’d like to see EDIA in practice within MEOPAR’s operations or programming? Email Alexa, MEOPAR’s Training Program Manager (alexa.goodman@meopar.ca) to start the conversation – we’d love to hear from you!
