DPR News
Equality Week 2022 at UCC
University College Cork celebrated its 6th Equality Week between the 7th - 11th of November 2022. The Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Unit hosted many events with the support of the UCCSU, under the heading “Making Space for Everyone: Equality Week at UCC”.
The events aimed to be inspirational and inclusive for everyone, consisting of: Opening of Equality Week and Launch of UCC EDI Annual Report 2021-22 (https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/publications/) with President John O'Halloran, Let's Talk Accessibility - National Council for the Blind in person tech demo, Keynote Talk ‘Our Voice Matters’ with disability advocate Dr Vivian Rath’, Intersex Day of Solidarity Interview with Dr Tanya Ní Mhuirthile and Good Social Interaction with the Deaf Community in collaboration with Cork Deaf Association.
Film courtesy of UCC TV
Moreover, the EDI team hosted a Soapbox & Presentations on EDI Good Practice, while at the same time facilitated two Active* Consent Plays, headed “The Kinds of Sex You Might Have at College”, and an Art Exhibition for World Children’s Day, the week ending with a screening of the movie ‘Aisha’ as part of the Cork International Film Festival.
At the Kids' Art Exhibition, the Deputy President and Registrar, Stephen Burne said "We celebrate World Children’s Day as part of UCC Equality Week, the theme of which is “Making Space for Everyone”. It is important to us that children, and indeed young adults, are part of this important celebration. You are the next generation and will shape the world we live in, and your vision of the world and for the future is very important."
UCCSU contributed to this wonderful week by organising an Exploration of Multiculturalism, an event in which cultural appropriation was facilitated through showcasing culture specific clothing. Furthermore, UCCSU also put on a screening of the movie “Paris is Burning”. On the last day, the School of Applied Social Studies, CUBS, School of Law, UCC LGBT+ Staff Network, Bystander Intervention and University Ethics Committee held an online talk on “Human Trafficking with J.P. O’Sullivan from MECPATHS”.
The events are a crucial part of UCC’s mission, as stated by President John O'Halloran at the Opening Event - “EDI is core to our values, and we want to create a work and study environment where everyone can thrive and feel they belong”, recognizing that Equality Week is “another opportunity for our university community to come together.”
The entire Equality Week was a success as awareness was raised, to provide a more equal and inclusive university experience for students and staff. More pictures and information can be found on EDI’s Unit social media accounts under the name: @uccequality