March 21st, 2022

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The theme for 2022 is Voices for Action Against Racism. Within our school board, we are proud of all WRDSB staff and students who work against racism. One example is Hana Adham, a Grade 12 student in the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), who is driven to help eliminate racial discrimination.

Hana developed a conference and an anti-racism suggestions sheet for teachers, with a goal to reach even more teachers looking to make changes to create a more inclusive classroom. This is one example of how students are helping to transform the WRDSB as we address racism with the board. When racial harassment and discrimination happens at school and work, it is the Board’s responsibility to act, name what took place, and respond to address it.

In Conversation | Kim and Nicole Bernhardt

To help gain a better understanding of this important day and how we can all work to end racial discrimination, we share this conversation between members of the Human Rights Branch at the WRDSB and two leading Human Rights experts in Ontario: Nicole Bernhardt and her mom, Kim Bernhardt.

View the sections of our conversation with Kim and Nicole:

About the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

About Kim and Nicole Bernhardt

Recommended Resources

Find the recommended resources mentioned in the session here:

• #BlackedOutHistory | Ontario Black History Society
• Call it Out | Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Canadian Reports and Reviews | International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
  • Canada’s record on racial discrimination under scrutiny at UN | CBC News
• Celebrating the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | Ontario Human Rights Commission
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | United Nations
• Reflections on racism and Canada’s Dark History | The Hamilton Spectator

Community Event

Immigration Partnership WR is hosting a series of events to showcase the breadth of the anti-racism work that needs your support and your voice to amplify it. Learn more about the events available.

Getting Support

We aspire to be a school board where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of race or any other personal identity.

WRDSB students, parents, caregivers, staff and other stakeholders can file a Human Rights complaint based on the protected grounds in the OHRC.

Questions?

Email your questions or inquiries about human rights to the Human Rights Branch at human-rights@wrdsb.ca.