Photo by: Lauryn Sprung
Diversity and the climate of acceptance have improved on campus, according to speakers at the eighth annual Diversity Summit on Inclusive Excellence on Friday.
“There has been a great deal of progress over the years,” said Chancellor Robert Coombe. “We are entering the second phase of reaping the benefits of inclusion and diversity on campus.”
In the keynote address, Matma Motwani Accapadi spoke about the difference between multiculturalism and polyculturalism and why polyculturalism is a more effective idea. She explained that multiculturalism is idea that societies exist in relation to one another but not together. Accapadi added that polyculturalism focuses on the overlap between cultures.
She pointed out that those in a privileged position in society or in the world have the choice to feel bad for others that are not in their position, or one can decide to make a difference in the world.
“If we choose to connect with each other, we can make a change on a global level,” she said.B “We have the capacity to make systemic change within our levels of privilege.”
The summit is put on by DU’s Center for Multicultural Excellence and sponsored by more than 30 different organizations on campus. This year’s theme was “Great Hope and Major Changes: Building Engaged and Inclusive Communities.”
Twenty-nine workshops were offered to the DU students, faculty and community members that attended the summit. The workshops addressed various aspects of social justice, such as community organizing, promoting education for low-income children and minorities in industry.
“There were great ideas about how to bring the community together, to collaborate together,” said freshman Sunny Xiong, who attended the summit.
Speakers and presenters discussed how DU can continue to incorporate inclusiveness and diversity into the school.
Jesús Treviño, associate provost for multicultural excellence, said with the current economic crisis also comes opportunity for the community and DU.
“Crisis is an opportunity to rethink our relationships and build our team. As we take care of ourselves and our community, we can explore the great hope that DU offers us all,” said Treviño.
According to Joel Portman, AUSA senator, at least 35 percent of this year’s participants were DU students. Over 400 people registered for the event.
This year was also the first year the coordinators of event worked along with the Sustainability Council to make the event green.
No paper programs were provided; all of the information was provided online. Powerpoints were used in the workshops and presentations to reduce paper handouts.
