University students drive city’s Diversity Awareness Agenda

Students at York St John University will, this week, welcome York’s local and business communities to an event to raise awareness, appreciation and acceptance of issues around diversity.

The free one-day Diversity Awareness Day, which takes place on Friday 10 May, has been organised entirely by undergraduate and postgraduate student volunteers studying at York St John University’s Business School. 

The event brings together a range of prominent figures from the local community to challenge prejudice and celebrate diversity in the workplace.  The day will incorporate talks from guest speakers and workshops on subjects relating to diversity, including mental health, gender identity, business ethics, languages and culture.

Speakers include York St John University representatives Professor Robert Garvey, Professor in Business Education, Dr Rachel Wicaksono, Head of Subject, Languages and Linguistics and Lukas Njenga, University Chaplain.  Delegates will also hear from Francis Pantin, senior Occupational Therapist from York House.  Speakers will encourage delegates to challenge, discuss and debate the key issues surrounding diversity topics and give them relevant insight into the importance of diversity in the workplace.

The Diversity Awareness Day will also recognise people from the community who actively promote inclusion, through its Diversity Ambassador Awards.  Students and academics have shortlisted four finalists of individuals who have shown dedication to raising diversity awareness.  The Award winner will be announced at the event on 10 May.

Says Dr Stefanos Nachmias, Head of MA Leadership and Management Programme who has supported student organisers, “We have over 115 participants involved in the event, including representatives from charities, businesses and not-for-profit organisations.  It is open to everyone and will allow external members to network and meet our talented students who have organised this highly informative event.

“We hope that delegates will be inspired to interact and learn more about diversity.  We then hope that they take their learning experience back to their own organisation and see how they can make a difference in their own workplace.”

Delegates will be given ‘The little book of diversity’, which has been written by York St John University students on thoughts and ideas on what diversity is and its importance in a business environment.  The work carried out by the 15 students involved will be credited towards their diversity management and project management modules as part of their University courses.