Calgary roundtable to explore the promises and challenges of diversity, inclusion and race relations

CALGARY, May 17, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is partnering with the City of Calgary, the Alberta Human Rights Commission and Bow Valley College to host a roundtable in Calgary on May 18, 2016 that will connect individuals in conversation about diversity, inclusion, race and multiculturalism.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi will provide the opening remarks for the roundtable, titled "The Urban Agenda: Calgary," which will celebrate Calgary's success as a hub of diversity and model of inclusion, while also exploring unresolved issues and challenges. This is the CRRF's fifth Roundtable in its six-city series, which also includes Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg and Halifax.

"Just last week, hate-filled graffiti was discovered near a Sikh temple in Calgary. Incidents like these remind us why it's imperative to connect Calgarians within a broader national dialogue, and to find ways to best achieve the promises of diversity and inclusion," said Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, CRRF. "There will be starts and stops along the way without a doubt. However, seeking the champions among us through ongoing, thought-provoking discussions is our aim."

"This roundtable is an opportune time to bring together individuals, community leaders, academics and diversity champions to explore Canadian values and issues of race relations," Bromberg added.

WHO:	Opening and closing remarks: Elder Leonard Bastien; Mayor Naheed Nenshi; Sharon Carry, President and CEO, Bow Valley College; Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, CRRF; and Cassie Palamar, Director of Education and Engagement, Alberta Human Rights Commission
	Moderator: Chima Nkemdirim, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Calgary
	Panellists and responders:
	Iman Bukhari, Founder and CEO, Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
	Mohammed Idriss, Service Manager, Brooks and County Immigration Services
	Cora Voyageur, Professor, University of Calgary
	Teresa Woo-Paw, Founder and Co-Chair, Asian Heritage Foundation
	Roger Chaffin, Chief Constable, Calgary Police Service
	Wayne Chiu, Board Member, United Way of Calgary and Area; CEO, Trico Group
	Judy Shapiro, Associate Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation
	Sam Nammoura, Co-founder, Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary
WHEN:	Wednesday, May 18, 2016
	Registration, dinner and networking: 5:30 p.m.
	Panel discussion: 6:40 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
WHERE:	Bow Valley College (South Campus) – 345 6^th Avenue SE, Room number: S2009, 2^nd floor, Calgary, AB T2G 4V1

About the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is a Crown Corporation dedicated to working towards the elimination of racial discrimination. Its mission is to advance Canadian identity in the pursuit of positive race relations, equity, fairness, social harmony and dignity for all Canadians. The CRRF does this by providing independent, outspoken national leadership, informing national policies and public conversation, and acting as a resource and facilitator.

SOURCE Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, CRRF, [email protected], 416-508-9033 OR Corinne Ton That, Communications and Outreach Associate, CRRF, [email protected], 416-441-1900 ext. 218