Championing Inclusion: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, the City of Peterborough will host an Instagram Live conversation between the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisor Reem Ali, and its Public Library Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Jones and Library Services Manager Mark Stewart, on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 10 a.m.

The discussion will be hosted on City of Peterborough’s Instagram account @cityptbo. Anyone who is interested in tuning into the discussion is welcome. An Instagram account is not required. A recording of the conversation will be available on the City’s Instagram account following the live event.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

“Years after March 21 was marked to commemorate a heinous act of apartheid, racism, division, and hate, we continue to see racial discrimination and other forms of discrimination impact many in our local community and societies across the world. I’m looking forward to focusing our conversation this year around some of the great initiatives in our community that combat discrimination by promoting education and awareness and nurturing inclusion and belonging for all,” said Reem Ali, City DEI Advisor.

“The Peterborough Public Library is a place for curiosity, discovery, and learning. We feel that we have a responsibility to contribute to a culture that recognizes diversity and fosters social inclusion. Everyone is welcome in our space, and we are proud of the inclusivity this brings to the community,” said Jennifer Jones, Library CEO.

City Hall will be lit in blue on March 21, 2023 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, encouraging residents to reflect and re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and hate to ensure everyone is respected, safe, and valued in this community where we all belong.

As a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, the City of Peterborough strives to advance initiatives to improve its practices for social inclusion; establish policies to eradicate racism and discrimination; and promote human rights and diversity.

Join events that are happening in our community to commemorate March 21, including the Annual General Meeting for Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough. Learn more about the United Nations #FightRacism campaign, which includes resources for anyone to learn more about how to stand against hate.

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